Their portfolio includes premium French fashion label IRO Paris, as well as Los Angeles-based clothing brands Amiri and Cotton Citizen.
Business case
Before they moved to LS Central, SOHO used a legacy POS system that worked independently from the ERP system they were using. Besides requiring a lot of manual intervention, it sometimes resulted in human error and delayed data input. “We needed an all-in-one retail system with a robust financial and inventory management system,” says Mr. Samora Suresh, IT Manager at SOHO.
The solution
When local LS Retail partner NOVASOFT presented LS Central, an end-to-end POS and ERP software, SOHO was quick to realize this was the right solution for their business. They chose LS Central due to several reasons:
- It’s a single, modular solution: LS Central combines ERP, POS, and retail functionality in one platform.
- It caters to all industries: LS Central can run retail, food service, and hospitality all on the same platform, a crucial factor for a company like SOHO that plans to diversify its operations and enter new market segments.
- It enhances inventory management: LS Central's capabilities for efficient inventory management and control played a significant role in the decision. The company recognized the importance of streamlined inventory processes for optimal operations.
- It extends Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP: SOHO had a positive experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. They were confident that their familiarity with the ERP would facilitate the migration process while minimizing disruptions.
- It provides seamless integration with other systems: LS Central's ability to seamlessly integrate with third-party applications and tools convinced the company that it could support its specific business needs.
- It’s scalable: The scalability and adaptability of LS Central aligned with SOHO’s growth strategy and future expansion into other countries, giving them the convenience of adding new functionality when they need it.
SOHO decided to run the LS Central solution as a hybrid Software as a Service (SaaS) model based on several criteria, including:
- Cost-efficiency: The SaaS model involves lower upfront costs compared to traditional software deployment methods. This allows the company to allocate resources strategically and minimize initial financial outlays.
- Predictable subscription pricing: SaaS offerings come with subscription-based pricing models, providing the company with predictability in budgeting. This helps them plan and manage their expenses more effectively.
- Rapid deployment: SaaS solutions can be deployed quickly compared to on-premises software. This means the company can start using the new solution without extensive implementation lead times.
- Scalability: SaaS solutions can scale up or down based on business needs. As a business grows or changes, the SaaS model provides the flexibility to easily adjust the usage and features of the solution.
- Accessibility and mobility: LS Central is cloud-based, meaning that users can access it from anywhere they have an internet connection, enabling teams to work remotely and access critical retail data on the go.
- Automatic updates and maintenance: With SaaS, the responsibility for software updates and maintenance falls on the provider. This relieves the company from the burden and cost of managing the software themselves, ensuring they always have access to the latest features and security enhancements with minimal effort.
- Reduced IT burden: The SaaS model offloads much of the technical maintenance and support tasks to the provider. This allows the company’s IT team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine software upkeep.
- Risk mitigation: SaaS providers have robust security measures in place, including data encryption and regular backups. This helps mitigate potential security risks and ensures the safety of the company’s sensitive retail data.
- Continuous innovation: SaaS solutions receive frequent updates and feature enhancements. The company can remain competitive in the ever-evolving retail landscape by having access to the latest tools and technologies.
The team at NOVASOFT was able to implement LS Central SaaS and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in all the Dubai and Abu Dhabi SOHO stores in just four months' time. Integration was carried out with systems Planet Tax, Salesforce CRM, and Mall management systems, to meet the company’s requirements. “Minimal customization was undertaken to preserve the robust functionality of LS Central, ensuring its readiness for the company's future expansion and solution enhancement,” says Vishwanath Ramachandraiah, Head of Consulting at NOVASOFT.
With new SOHO stores ready to open, the solution needed to be implemented on a very tight schedule. “Embarking on the implementation journey, we encountered a few challenges, navigating the shift from Business Central to LS Central, all while orchestrating the rapid reconfiguration of existing data,” says Ramachandraiah. With remarkable dedication and hard work, NOVASOFT managed to roll out the system within the agreed timeline. "It was an honor to collaborate with the leaders of the fashion industry in Soho," says Amit Sobti, Director of Sales and Strategy at Novasoft. "The LS Retail solution seamlessly integrated with their business operations, becoming a pivotal factor in their business expansion."
Benefits
Since implementing LS Central, SOHO has experienced greater efficiency, and noticeable time savings. LS Central has enabled the company to:
- Streamline their operations without the need to rely on multiple systems.
- Reduce manual reporting done by their merchandisers thus reducing human errors. “All the reports come ready from one system in order for them to do their analysis,” says Samora.
- Increase productivity of their staff who no longer need to manually replicate sales from legacy POS system to ERP.
SOHO reports that LS Central and the SaaS model provide a streamlined, future-ready solution and align closely with their business objectives. They have gained:
- A comprehensive system across all different departments
- A holistic, 360-degree customer view across all channels
- Financial consistency and control centralized for enhanced integrity
- Instantaneous access to real-time reports
The company is now in the process of expanding to Shopify as an eCommerce platform, for which they will be using LS Central’s eCommerce add-on and seamless integration with Shopify.
