Lightspeed Reviews

Pros

I like that all departments are integrated.

Cons

Quirks that are different from previous Lightspeed platforms. Off the top of my head the precheck report is cumbersome and hard to read. It is annoying when writing a group of checks. I have to mark the checks in Preview to verify the totals then I have repeat the process in Pay Invoices only there is no total to balance to. Many times I thought I checked a vendor but unless I go slowly and watch to see if it actually checked the vendor I may have missed a vendor. There should be number of checks to be written and dollar total. I wish they put a first and a last name field in security. I cannot alphabetize my timecard reports by last name. I have to settle for first name. I switched it and then their name looks weird on invoices. Not to mention I have an employee with 2 first names and another with the same first name as one with a first name as his last name!
I wish I could refund service contract tax on a sales deal when processing a cancellation refund. It is not acceptable to run it through parts when it is a commissionable sales department transaction. I have a work around but it is lengthy and time consuming.
These are things that come to mind. I could keep going.

Pros

That it integrates with lots of other programs/websites that we were already using. That it works for all of the facets of our business, with room for us to grow into as well (additional modules that can be purchased). Love that pricing can be automatically updated, both in the parts module and the major unit module. The scheduler for our service department has worked wonderfully. The colour coding in the estimates and repair order screen is awesome at helping us stay organized. At a glance, the sales team can tell how many deals have a deposit or at what part in the sales process a lead may be at. I love that similar parts can be tied together (think multiple supplier selling the exact same part - you can see if you have inventory for that one part)
Our service team appreciated the app for repair orders - clocking on and off a job, entering notes, etc. The service advisor can just simply copy and paste notes into the repair order then edit as needed

Cons

Our staff tend to leave Lightspeed open, logged off or locked out, but open. We don't know an update it going to happen until we come in the next morning to find Lightspeed shut down for the update. We don't necessarily lose information, but we tend to leave RO's or Invoices open to remind ourselves to complete a certain task or update information, etc. So that pseudo reminder gets lost.
Anytime we have a price update, the package priced items don't get the proper retail price for the individual item (cost gets calculated correctly), so we have to manually go through those listings to correct... due to the shear qty of packaged products (think fuel hose, bilge hose, fasteners, bulk oil, etc.), I end up waiting for someone to tell me the parts record needs to get updated because they're trying to sell it. We've spoken to tech support numerous times about this issue and after years of complaints, we still do not have a solution.
For Canadian dealers, we seem to have to figure out a bunch of workarounds. For example, we can't enter in the HST on sublet invoices through the RO's because the software isn't developed properly for some reason (not an issue apparently for American dealers). Some features aren't available to Canadian dealers, like the ability to call a customer through the program. Recently an exchange calculator of sorts has been implemented, but it still doesn't really serve us the way we were used to with Sage

Pros

capable of keeping certain employees out of certain areas with security requirements

Cons

There are many features that this software doesn't have that seem pretty common sense for a power sports dms. Getting help when you really need it takes forever. The chat was taken away. They close your case before actually giving you a fix many times. Things the system had when we first started no longer there. The fact that I can't process a special order in a repair order for something we currently have on hand is frustrating. Many accessories are on display and will not be removed from machines or display walls and need to be ordered as needed. With the change in how manufacturers are fulfilling orders this is a VERY important change that needs to happen. Need to have a pop up on invoices asking if sure want to process a special order (inventory is not always correct). CRM system continues to add customers into our system as a duplicate or not provided as the name and the phone number not in the proper format xxx-xxx-xxxx. need to be able to deactivate customers units. need to be able to delete customers (because of CRM). Parts invoices are confusing to read. no option currently to make a previously ordered item into a special order for someone without undoing the order in L/S and reprocessing.

Pros

It has a good amount of features that are very meaningful .

Cons

Support is Horrible. It is Brutal, Torturous, Ridiculous, and Extremely Stressful.

Implementation of new features including Extra Cost Add-Ons is Terrible. Things don't work as represented, and then you can't get decent support to get things resolved.

Pros

Integration among the modules is mostly complete so there's usually more than one place to look for information.
There are available options in how to manage Inventory, according to the individual company needs.
Many User and WorkStation preferences are available to customize who's working in what area - one example is the printer selection, which can depend on the task and which store you're working in at the moment.
Many defaults are flexible per store within the same parent company. This is an important feature for companies with multiple locations.
The huge Custom Reporting module makes it easy to track and extract almost any combination of factors into one place for easy editing, copying, and sharing.
Entry is user-friendly because the screens are laid out logically.

Cons

Still no way to import or connect a customer-owned unit with Consignment Sales so to sell a customer boat, a duplicate unit has to be created. This inefficiency can also cause confusion.
There are inconsistencies in how information has to be entered into the different modules. It seems as if no single department oversees upgrades and changes to make sure the different modules perform the same way as the others.
The system can to bog down, and there's occasional loss of connection. According to customer service, server upgrades are planned, but the overall time needed is still within an acceptable range.

Pros

Desktop widgets.
Automated task like customer notification for special order parts.
The ability to make custom reports.

Cons

More "guard rails" to prevent staff from making mistakes. How about pop up windows that warn staff when there's a bal due on a special order pick up invoice. Or alert staff that a customer they've added to an invoice has special ordered parts ready for pick up.
1- Unable to create spring orders that do not affect the function of the buying guide.
2- Unable to allocate inbound parts for stock to a customer's special order at time of sale
3-Unable to use a scan gun for receiving
4-The system needs more filters. ie The ability to scan a part label and locate the part on a customers special order list. Then have the system auto fill as the parts are scanned. Add an addition button function to pick up these scanned parts.
5- Parts that have a min / max should automatically populate the buying guide. Why do I need to run a buying guide to add these items manually when I already set minimum and max inventory levels?
6-Please give us the ability to pickup all special orders and layaway parts for a customer with one mouse click. The current process of clicking on each individual special order and layaway is so tedious. Especially when the special order and layaway were originally sold on the same invoice.
7- Automated special ordered parts in re-notification that can be set by the dealer if a customer hasn't picked up parts a few days after the customer received the first notification.
8- Add the ability for sales staff to see when a special order for a deal has arrived

Pros

I love the reporting and custom reports. As a Parts Manager I live in data and the reporting is a huge help in managing our inventory. The labels are easy to create and special orders have the last name which helps the techs. I appreciate the options for multiple BIN locations (as we have more than one workspace), the availability to see the Yamaha availability from an invoice, and the ability to export the order to the supplier's website.

Cons

The Service Scheduler can use some more improvement based on a marine repair shop which moves differently than other repair shops. I wish some of the options on the mobile app (tech notes, job complete) were available on the desktop version; and vice-versa (more Parts options on the mobile side: scan barcodes, inventory, add parts to RO).

Pros

I dont know of any pros this program offers.
One of the most difficult programs I have ever worked with in my life.

Cons

Too many key strokes to accomplish a single task.
Does not carry over info to corresponding places.
Should not have to reconcile accounts daily.
That is ignorant for an accounting person.
My list is very long....
Service Connect is way too broad usually doesnt answer the question you have to go to several searches to figure it out.
Customer Service only puts a band aid on the issue generally creating other issues and they never can help when you ask and accounting question. As well as being put on hold many times throughout the call. To the point we dont like to call for help unless we are completely stuck.

Pros

Product inventory control and management - easy to build & receive orders. EVO's ability for reporting on all aspects of the business. The huge amount of detail in the customer database.

Cons

The lack of complete testing by CDK to find and fix problems with EVO. The fact that we have to figure out what causes a problem or error with EVO before CDK will maybe think about fixing the problem/error. Abandoning features from previous versions and being told they never existed. Software engineers moving things around in the software with major updates rather than maintaining similarity and continuity from the previous version. CDK only wanting to progress and not fix current issues and problems.

Pros

For the most part I do like the purchasing program. except for listed below
All of accounting is good.
the program is good just need to be updated and adjusted some.

Cons

Was promised a way to have jobs declined on work orders for future reference has never happened.
Cannot move or insert jobs to be in order for work to be done.
Can't use bulletin check because has to be separate unit in system but the way we look at (Boat, Motor Trailer) one unit based on Hull Id number. bulletin lookup need to have a algorithm to look at engine number on total unit
Need to be able to track unit based on Hull Id Number for past work preformed on unit.
In purchasing the part number should be in system only once no matter whom you buy if from i know this can be don had it on another program that had 1 part number with multiple supplier showing their price.

Pros

There are very little glitches. Things function as they should.

Cons

Very little detail to selling accessories. As a business that has a large proshop on top of being in marine sales and service, the use in the proshop department is very limited. Can't do invoice reports based on time stamp. Can do invoice reports based on computer/station. Can't choose reasons for returned products. Limited options for integrating credit card / gift card payments.

Waiting on hold for support is painful. Preferred the days of the chat window.

Pros

We liked the Point of Sale portion of the software for the over the counter sales and its ability to integrate or price books from our vendors. In the demo it seemed easy to use. The Service portion of the software is a strong segment and integrates well with the POS portion.

Cons

When it comes to the Sales Deals segment of the software there are a few holes that need some ironing out. The support staff is marginal at best, if you get the right person the may know the software but if you get the average person they seem to be lost with most questions.

Pros

The software is easy to learn (especially with the online classes/training) when it comes to the basics-customer information input along with adding units.

Cons

As a marina based company that uses LightSpeed for everything it is most difficult when it comes to monthly billing (the actual payment collection process not invoicing)
and then using a 'storage spot' while the active customer is just away temporarily. and also there is not a way to send a mass email to a selective group or even all customers, has to be done one by one.

Pros

Offers a complete package to run the dealership, but every feature is an additional cost that has to be watched carefully. Reporting is good once setup, but there is no help doing it and it is VERY complex. Everything integrates well, and the integration to the website is seamless. Fairly shallow learning curve for basic functionality for new employees

Cons

Lightspeed is a bit like car sales from the 1980's. Turn you upside down and shake until money stops falling out of your pockets. Everything is an additional charge. Customer service in person is pretty much non existent... and beware if they ever promise you a call back.. probably not going to happen. Reporting very difficult to setup.

Pros

Lightspeed is user friendly and is a breeze for new hires and veterans to the business. Inventory, receiving, custom reports and buying guides on the retail end. Tracking dealer inventory units from the time they arrive until they are delivered to the customer is a piece of cake.

Cons

The only thing that comes to mind is there is no option to print a Parts pick list from a standard job that is used often. To throw that onto an invoice would save valuable time at the counter.

Pros

Great software. We always recommend it to our peers and 20 group. We love the software and how it works for our boat dealership.

Cons

The customer service response time is terrible. We have trouble tickets that last weeks. We give our boat customers guaranteed same day service and I do expect similar from our vendors. The call backs and email reply to issues is terrible and takes weeks to get a for some problems or questions.

Pros

customer contact via email and text is smooth and quick.

Cons

can be complicated to use, alot of steps for each process from selling parts, to making work orders to invoicing.

Pros

Inventory control is great.
Implementation was horrible,
Accounts are not favorable for canadian company's eg. Tax's, Pst and Gst reports are terrible and don't always match other reports.
Repair orders are great. Great parts system

Cons

Poor set up, left us hanging for 6 months to figure it out, had to hire outside company to make heads or tails of the accounting system.
pst and gst reports , inventory asset report still haven't found please call me
[SENSITIVE CONTENT]

Pros

Ease of operation. Fully integrated system. Parts integration with other companies.

Cons

Customer service wait time is long. Not able to customize to our particular needs.

Pros

It integrates well with service manager pro. While other versions were VERY unreliable, the upgrade to EVO has been fairly trouble free. MUCH less problems than earlier versions.... MUCH LESS. A software used all day every day but multiple people in a dealership NEEDS to be dependable. They've done a pretty good job with EVO.

Cons

Integration with Honda's iN. Parts catalog still does not like to bring parts list into RO's and invoices.

Pros

It can handle major unit and parts sales/inventory as well as service work orders.

Cons

Customer service can be slow. Some features and functionality is not consistent throught the software. Some things that work on one screen may not work on another, i.e. column settings. Updates often cause "breaks" in unintended areas, then takes time to fix those.

Pros

It is really useful to the daily input of the Business and easy to manage different aspects of the program. we are getting ready to go all in on this program and we are excited.

Cons

sometimes we have problems in some areas of the program but is easy to resolve once we contact the help desk and they figure it out for us.
Some might be on our end as we don't always use the whole program.

Pros

Easy to use.
The Monthly Financial Statements.

Cons

Cannot get Monthly Financial Statements by Month on one Sheet.
Tedious to create new accounts and ensure the fall in the correct position of the Financial Statements.
The Inventory Ledger can be updated without entries automatically hitting the General Ledger.

Pros

Lightspeed as completely revolutionized how we do business. The POS system we were using was built primarily for the food service industry. It was difficult to try and track inventory by size in our retail shop. Lightspeed solved all of that at a more affordable price point!

Cons

It would be better if the card swiper were directly connected to the unit, even if by Bluetooth. The connection over the Internet has occasional issues with connectivity and latency.

Pros

Ability to cross over in all facets of the business.

Cons

The inability to use scan gun in any other functions than parts invoice. It is extremely labor intensive to make labels for the sales floor and to be able to scan in product to receive things.