Concept:
LightSpeed Mobile utilizes mobile retail units to introduce a new development of the personal retail experience while shoppers are in a store. LightSpeed Mobile was developed to give consumers a more personalized retail experience where they can receive a new kind of one-on-one service from sales reps and can complete their purchase anywhere in a store. After the company saw the advantages of the system adopted by the Apple Store, the creators of LightSpeed Mobile decided to deliver a similar, unique one-on-one experience based on the same hardware, so retailers could affordably re-create it for their locations, regardless of size.
The ability to close deals when the customer is most interested in a product they are considering to purchase will increase chance of spending. In the end this will serve the global need to deliver more convenient and personal service to consumers.
Team:
LightSpeed Mobile was developed by Xsilva Systems, based in Montreal Canada. Xsilva Systems offers a comprehensive suite of retail tools under the LightSpeed brand that are tailored to the Mac platform and intend to help individual retailers and small retail chains grow and manage their businesses more effectively. Countless international retail operations rely on LightSpeed to drive their businesses.
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Dax Dasilva, founder, CEO and vice-president of development, created Xsilva’s LightSpeed suite of retail tools. With more than 20 years of experience working with the Mac platform as a consultant and developer, he has focused on and mastered Mac retail applications for the past decade.
Market Relevance:
Large, big box stores have made the shopping experience more impersonal and daunting over time, to the degree that shoppers often opt to stay home and shop online. LightSpeed Mobile’s goal is to change that dynamic and create personal relationships between shoppers and sales reps that will foster rapport and customer loyalty, which will improve overall sales while making the shopping process more enjoyable.
Delivery:
All that is required of the consumer is a credit card and the intent to purchase. Retailers can fully leverage full capabilities of LightSpeed Mobile if they are already a user of Xsilva’s POS and inventory management platform for Mac, LightSpeed 3.2. The retailer must then download the LightSpeed Mobile App to an iPod Touch, which allows store staff to wirelessly connect to the LightSpeed database. When used with a Linea Pro sled, store staff can scan bar codes and swipe credit cards to fully process a sale. Once the payment is approved, customers simply sign on-screen via the iPod Touch and receive their receipt instantly by email.
This integration between mobile retail and POS and inventory systems was once only limited to big-box players with high-priced custom systems.
LightSpeed Mobile with Linea Pro works only with iPod Touch 2G and 3G models and requires iOS 4.0.2 or higher. While LightSpeed Mobile can be used on the iPod Touch 4G and iPhone 3G/3GS/4G, the Mobile Hardware Kit that includes the Linea Pro sled is not yet compatible.
Proof Points:
LightSpeed Mobile is aimed at any consumer interested in better and more personal customer service. Xsilva’s solutions are targeted at Mac-based retail operators with one to 20 locations, with or without an e-commerce site. The solution is capable of applying to an array of retail categories, including electronics, fashion and apparel, baby, outdoor gear and sporting goods.
