How to make the best decision when buying an LS Retail software license

Are you currently using LS Retail software in your retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies, or gas stations? Did you know that, when you have an active LS Retail subscription license, you get much greater flexibility than with a traditional perpetual license?

Subscription or perpetual license?

There are several differences between a subscription license and a perpetual one. A perpetual license is the traditional model: you own the license and can use the software for as long as you want, but you need to pay for the whole investment upfront. You can also pay for enhancements, and have access to the most up-to-date version of the software (more on this below).

With a subscription license, you have the right to use the software and services for as long as you pay. It’s a more flexible arrangement than a perpetual license, as you can increase or decrease license modules as needed, and you can even choose if you want to be invoiced monthly or annually. And as long as you’re on subscription, you can continue to enhance, support, and upgrade your solution – it’s included in what you pay.

Why choose an LS Retail subscription license

If you are still deciding whether or not a subscription is right for your business, here are 4 benefits you should consider:

1. Continue or interrupt the service as you want

As long as you are paying for your subscription, you can use the software and service. If you change your mind you can cancel the subscription license. You can stop paying, and you’ll no longer have the right to use the solution after the end of the current period.

2. Get software upgrades

As long as you remain on an active subscription, you have access to the newest software product upgrades. This means that you may upgrade between product versions at no extra cost.

3. Access product support

We offer 24/7 support for licenses on active subscription. This support covers everything from bug fixes to licensing problems. To access support, you just need to contact your LS Retail implementation Partner.

4. Expand your capabilities with product enhancements

An active subscription also gives you the ability to enhance your solutions by adding additional modules such as extra functionalities, objects, stores, and POS.

Why the LS Retail enhancement plans are a smart investment 

If you have purchased LS Retail software on a perpetual license, you may be familiar with the concept of “Enhancement Plan” (EP), the opportunity to continue to enhance, support, and upgrade your solution after the initial purchase. Although the EP was designed to protect your investment in the software, as a retailer who has just made an investment in a new software solution it can be hard to justify the extra expense, especially when the solution is currently running the way you want it to. The truth is that there are several very good reasons to stay on an active EP, and although you can always get back on an EP later on, re-enrolling as a lapsed customer can be costly and time-consuming.  

With an active EP you can enjoy an excellent customer experience that doesn’t end after the license has been purchased. So, when deciding whether or not to renew, keep in mind these 5 benefits: 

 1. Access continuous software upgrade

As long as you remain on an active EP, you have access to the newest software product upgrades. Depending on eligibility, you may also be able to transition between product versions at no extra cost.  

2. Access product support 

Support is available for licenses on active enhancement. This support covers everything from bug fixes to licensing problems. Even if a license is running smoothly when the annual enhancement renewal date rolls around, chances are you will need support at some point down the line. You can access support via your LS Retail implementation Partner.  

3. Have the privilege of a protected list price 

When you buy a new LS Retail perpetual license, the value of the purchase is frozen to protect you from any future price changes. This is what we call the Protected List Price, or PLP. If you let your license lapse on enhancement, the PLP is no longer honored, and the value of the license will be updated based on the list price of the modules in the license, according to the pricelist at that time. Therefore, if you don’t renew the enhancement in the short run, you’ll end up having to pay higher enhancement amounts in the future.  

4. Expand your software with product enhancements 

An active EP also gives you the ability to enhance your solutions with additional modules. If you need to add any additional functionalities, devices, objects, etc., and you do not have an active enhancement plan, you must re-enroll the entire license (which entails extra costs) before placing even a small order.

5. You get no lapsed fees or penalties while on an active EP 

If you have a lapsed EP and need to re-enroll your license at a later date, you will have to pay lapsed fees and penalties. The PLP is updated to the current list price of the license, and the lapsed period is calculated with an additional penalty enhancement percentage. It is also important to point out that if your license had SQL modules in it, they will be removed from the license when it lapses. SQL modules do not have license mobility rights, so they must be repurchased once the license has been re-enrolled. 

If you still have doubts about what kind of license is better for you, or if you want to know more about the policies and procedures that apply to either subscription licenses or enhancement plans, get in touch! Our licensing team will be happy to help you find the best option for your requirements.