Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (NYSE: LSPD)

Lightspeed Commerce Inc. provides a unified point of sale and payments platform that enables merchants to manage operations, accept payments, and engage customers across online, mobile, social, and physical channels. The company offers a cloud based commerce platform that connects suppliers, merchants, and consumers while enabling omni channel experiences. Its flagship solutions include Lightspeed Restaurant a unified hospitality commerce offering and Lightspeed Retail a retail commerce offering that unites advanced point of sale, payments, and eCommerce into one cohesive solution. Lightspeed eCommerce allows merchants to enhance omni channel reach and increase selling flexibility through social media platforms and digital marketplaces. Additionally the company provides Lightspeed Payments for embedded payment processing and Lightspeed Capital a merchant cash advance program designed to help merchants with cash management and growth.

The company generates revenue primarily from the sale of cloud based software subscriptions and its payments solutions. Subscription revenue comes from monthly, annual and multi year plans for access to the platform and its modules. Transaction based revenue is earned from processing payments through Lightspeed Payments where the company acts as principal in the arrangement with the customer. In addition the company earns revenue sharing arrangements with third party payment processors for referrals made before the rollout of its own payments solution. The company also offers hardware and other services such as implementation, training and support that contribute to overall revenue.

Lightspeed Commerce Inc. holds a distinct leadership position in the small and medium sized business commerce market due to its scale, breadth of capabilities, and diverse customer base. The company has built a strong presence among retail merchants in North America and hospitality operators in Europe where its products address specific operational needs. Competitors include other providers of point of sale, payments and commerce software but Lightspeed differentiates itself through its unified platform that combines front end sales tools with back end office management and integrated payments. The company’s ability to offer a full suite of services from software to financing helps increase customer retention and expand average revenue per user.

The company serves small and medium sized businesses globally including retailers, restaurateurs, golf course operators, and other merchants that operate single location or multi location establishments. Its customer base spans over 100 countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Lightspeed focuses on serving sophisticated small and medium sized businesses that require advanced functionality to manage inventory, staff, and customer relationships across multiple channels.