Xsilva Systems rebrands as LightSpeed, opens its API for custom app development, adds powerful eCommerce connector

Mac OS X Lion-ready, LightSpeed version 3.5 to drive creative POS customization while supporting new online retail options

MONTREAL, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - A new open API that will drive the development of creative custom Point of Sale applications and a powerful eCommerce connector that supports the market-leading Magento platform, are the major new features of LightSpeed version 3.5 released today by Xsilva Systems. The company also announced it is rebranding as LightSpeed to capitalize on the worldwide reseller network, extensive user base and broad brand-name recognition it has established for its acclaimed retail technology since launching in 2005. Additionally, version 3.5 updates LightSpeed Mobile and is ready for the new Mac operating system, Lion.

The opening of the API makes LightSpeed a dynamic POS platform that caters to the store owner, developer or IT manager looking to build custom add-ons to the platform, while still remaining an easy-to-use, well-priced and richly functional out-of-the-box system that is attractive to small- to medium-sized retailers.

"With our new API and our powerful new eCommerce connector, LightSpeed is now open for business in a whole new way," said Dax Dasilva, CEO and founder of LightSpeed. "The new API means that LightSpeed is now a highly-customizable option for innovative retailers who can truly make the platform their own as they grow their businesses. Meanwhile, our eCommerce connector opens up even more choice for retailers looking to grow online."

Using the LightSpeed API, developers can build custom applications such as external loyalty programs, third party eCommerce plug-ins, sales dashboards and integration with back-end ERP systems. Based on web services, the LightSpeed API exploits the power of LightSpeed Server and offers developers access to the same framework used by the POS screen and LightSpeed Mobile, the company's award-winning mobile POS system.

To support the developer community, LightSpeed is introducing the LightSpeed Developer Exchange, a membership program that enables developers to register and license their apps, communicate with fellow developers and receive tech support from the company's development team. Membership in the LightSpeed Developer Exchange will cost $499 annually.

LightSpeed eCommerce introduces new web store choices

Also new in version 3.5 is LightSpeed eCommerce, a powerful new eCommerce package that uploads products and images to the online store of the retailer's choice and downloads orders back into LightSpeed, offering an online retailing system that is fully integrated with existing invoicing and fulfillment workflows. LightSpeed eCommerce is priced at $899 and supports both LightSpeed Web Store, the platform's turnkey online shopping cart that features easy setup and polished design, and the widely-adopted, highly customizable Magento platform that's scalable for high-volume transactions with a powerful feature set and more than 3,500 add-ons. Support, hosting and SSL certificates for both Web Store and Magento are also available.

LightSpeed 3.5 also sees the release of LightSpeed Web Store 2.1 with several new features, including promotional codes, tier-based shipping and advanced search. Web Store is now an open-source project, allowing retailers and developers to contribute to the evolution of the product and create more complex customizations.

LightSpeed now PCI compliant and Mac OS X Lion-ready

In April 2011, the PCI Standards Council deemed LightSpeed version 3.3 to be PA-DSS Certified, the retail industry's highest standards for data security and fraud protection. This certification enables retailers using the LightSpeed platform to assure their customers that their credit card data is protected and also helps protect the retailers' business from costly and reputation-damaging security breaches. To help support its users in meeting PCI DSS requirements, the company has made available for download the LightSpeed PCI Implementation Guide at www.lightspeedretail.com/pci. Subsequent versions of LightSpeed will be re-certified after public release.

Additionally, LightSpeed 3.5 updates LightSpeed Mobile with new transaction editing features and is compatible with Apple's highly anticipated Mac OS X Lion operating system to be released later this month.

About LightSpeed
LightSpeed makes a comprehensive suite of retail tools that are tailored to the Mac platform and intended to help individual retailers and small- to medium-sized retail chains grow and manage their businesses more effectively. LightSpeed makes managing a retail business as easy as click, drag and drop, and features a powerful front-counter Point of Sale solution. It also features extensive quoting, ordering and invoicing capabilities, label and barcode printing, reporting, inventory management, customer profiling and tracking, credit-card processing, gift cards and multi-store functionality. Add-on module LightSpeed eCommerce allows retailers to sell their inventory online with a LightSpeed Web Store or Magento solution that is tightly integrated with their in-store database. LightSpeed Mobile offers retailers the ability to eliminate impersonal cash register line-ups and instead complete transactions on the retail floor using the same hardware as Apple does in its own retail stores. This mobile Point of Sale system represents the very latest in retail technology, without the high cost of custom application development that big box stores are paying to achieve the same functionality.

For more information on LightSpeed, please visit www.lightspeedretail.com.

Xsilva and LightSpeed are registered trademarks of Xsilva Inc. Trade names of other companies used in this announcement are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of appropriate companies.

SOURCE XSILVA SYSTEMS INC