Measurable improvements across 36 stores and warehouses
Since the move to SaaS, the impact has been immediate and visible across the business:
- Trading continued uninterrupted throughout the implementation
- Daily system crashes were eliminated
- Stores and warehouses now run on a stable, reliable system
- Processes and controls are more structured and consistent
- Teams feel more confident using the system day to day
- The business now has a solid platform for future digital development
As Martin Hastings, CEO at Leyland, explains:
“The improvements were clear to see. We are trading confidently, and we now have a stable system to build our future on.”
One platform instead of workarounds
At the heart of the transformation is a powerful change: Leyland now runs on a single retail platform. LS Central integrated natively to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central connect everything, from store transactions to warehouse operations and financials, removing the need for separate tools and manual fixes.
This change has delivered greater consistency and clarity across the business, while providing far clearer day-to-day visibility into performance and operations. “For the first time, we have a single system rather than lots of bolt-ons and workarounds,” says Hastings. “Our warehouse teams are no longer dealing with system crashes every day. We are able to trade confidently, the stores are operating as normal, and staff feel comfortable using the new system.”
From instability to clarity and confidence
LS Central replaced a fragmented architecture with a single cloud-based system, bringing structure where there had previously been inconsistency.
“The legacy systems often felt like having a house built on sand, while the new platform has given us certainty and security,” says Hastings. “It is the first time we have had a platform we can genuinely build on.”
When growth outpaced the systems
When Martin Hastings joined as CEO of Leyland in 2023, it was evident that the existing systems couldn’t keep up with the business. Leyland was running on an out-of-support AX 2012 ERP alongside a heavily customized POS system. Together, this created a fragile setup that struggled to support a fast-moving retail environment.
“It was clear very quickly that we had systems that were not fit for purpose,” he explains
Basic capabilities like EDI matching and BI reporting were missing, and reliability was a constant issue. “Systems were breaking down regularly, which put real pressure on teams across stores and warehouses,” Hastings adds.
In a business where availability is everything, that instability wasn’t just frustrating: it put the entire operating model at risk. There were also deeper concerns. Knowledge was concentrated in just a few individuals, and controls weren’t where they needed to be.
A go-live without disruption
As Leyland explored its options, it became clear that the transformation would require an IT partner capable of leading complex retail change while protecting business continuity. Local LS Retail partner BC4’s experience in multi-site retail and their structured approach stood out immediately. “BC4 showed the ability to not only advise but actually deliver a full transformation. Their grasp of the wider retail landscape and disciplined program structure gave us confidence very early on,” says Hastings.
BC4 guided the business through a configuration first approach, avoiding unnecessary modifications and helping Leyland introduce structured processes and modern controls. This shift was significant because the old systems had a significant lack of controls and business practices and the new approach ensured that the retailer could embed consistent operations across the business.
“The biggest thing is the lack of noise. Implementations like this usually cause disruption, but BC4 managed the change in a way that did not interrupt trading,” says Hastings. “For a project of this size, that is extremely unusual, ” Hastings explains.
Now building for what comes next
With stability restored, Leyland is no longer focused on fixing problems; it’s focused on accelerating its retail evolution. The new platform has shifted the conversation from limitation to opportunity.
“One hundred percent, this has opened up opportunities for us. We now have the platform we need to start developing our digital strategy properly. Where the business was once holding things together with tape and string, it now has solid foundations, a reputable system, and a partner who understands our operational reality.”
“This is not the end of the project. This is the start of being able to operate the way we want, to operate as a modern retailer.”
Q&A: insights from Leyland's implementation
How did LS Central address Leyland’s system instability?
By moving to LS Central in SaaS, Leyland replaced its unstable, out-of-support systems with a modern cloud retail platform. This eliminated daily system crashes, and significantly improved reliability across stores and warehouses.
How did LS Central simplify the overall system landscape?
The platform brought retail operations, warehouse processes, and finance together in one system. This removed disconnected tools and manual workarounds and created a single source of truth across the business.
How did it improve governance and controls?
LS Central enabled Leyland to introduce structured processes and stronger controls without heavy customization. This helped standardize operations across all locations and reduce reliance on individual system knowledge.
How does LS Central support long-term scalability?
LS Central provides a scalable foundation that can evolve with the business. New functionality can be added easily as needs change, supporting future digital initiatives, and operational expansion without requiring major system overhauls.
How does SaaS support growth and new store openings?
Because Leyland now runs on LS Central and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in SaaS, new stores can be onboarded quickly and consistently, and the business is always automatically on the latest version of the software. Standardized configurations allow Leyland to roll out new locations using the same proven setup, reducing complexity and making expansion faster and more consistent.
