Training Staff on Using Unleashed and Lightspeed Together
Introduction: Empowering Your Team for Omnichannel Success
Omnichannel success doesn’t just come from great tech—it comes from a great team that knows how to use it. If you’re running both Unleashed and Lightspeed, integration is your golden ticket to a streamlined business. But without proper staff training, that ticket may never get punched.
That’s where TIDE comes in. As a smart integration platform, TIDE connects Unleashed and Lightspeed seamlessly, syncing inventory and sales data in real time. It ensures your systems speak the same language—so your team can focus on what they do best.
Take Action: Ready to simplify operations and empower your team? Book a TIDE demo and discover how smooth integration can be.
The Importance of Proper Training for System Integration
Even with top-tier software, things fall apart if your team doesn’t know how to use it. Training bridges that gap—helping staff understand not only how each system works, but how they work together.
Bridging the Gap Between Back-Office and Front-End Operations
Unleashed handles your inventory. Lightspeed manages your sales. But your team operates at the intersection of both. Proper training helps them move between back-end tasks and customer-facing responsibilities without missing a beat.
Why Unified Training is Crucial
Avoiding Operational Silos and Misunderstandings
When teams only understand their piece of the puzzle, mistakes happen. Unified training connects the dots—giving every team member a view of the full process.
Ensuring Data Accuracy Across Systems
Untrained staff can unknowingly cause major headaches—like mismatched stock levels or duplicate entries. A well-integrated system like Unleashed with TIDE reduces these issues, but only if staff use it correctly.
Boosting Staff Confidence and Efficiency
Confidence grows when people know what they’re doing. And that confidence turns into faster workflows, fewer questions, and better decisions on the floor.
Improving Customer Service through Informed Staff
Imagine a customer asks for a product that’s out of stock. A trained staff member can check other stores, suggest alternatives, or place a backorder—all while the customer is still at the counter. That’s the power of integrated knowledge.
Key Training Modules for Staff
Module 1: Understanding Each System’s Role
Unleashed: The Inventory Master (Stock, Purchasing, Receiving)
Unleashed keeps your stock levels in check. Staff should learn how to:
- Manage incoming stock
- Create and receive purchase orders
- Track stock movement and locations
Lightspeed POS: The Sales Front-End (Sales, Returns, Customer Checkout)
Lightspeed is where customer transactions happen. Training should cover:
- Processing sales and returns
- Managing discounts, promotions, and loyalty
- Navigating customer profiles
Module 2: The Integrated Workflow
How Sales in Lightspeed Update Stock in Unleashed
Thanks to TIDE, sales made in Lightspeed instantly reflect in Unleashed inventory. This keeps stock accurate without manual data entry.
How Inventory Updates in Unleashed Affect Lightspeed Availability
Stock arrivals or adjustments in Unleashed automatically update availability in Lightspeed. That means no more telling customers something’s in stock when it’s not.
Processing Returns and Refunds Across Both Systems
Staff must know how to:
- Process returns in Lightspeed
- Ensure those returns reflect properly in Unleashed
- Follow any restocking or write-off procedures
Module 3: Common Day-to-Day Tasks
Processing a Sale with Correct Product Selection
Training should help staff:
- Search products effectively in Lightspeed
- Confirm real-time availability
- Apply the correct customer or promotional details
Checking Stock Levels Across All Stores
With integration, staff can access current stock levels from all store locations. This helps them guide customers and transfer items if needed.
Placing a Customer Order for Out-of-Stock Items (if applicable)
Where supported, staff should be confident in:
- Creating backorders
- Tracking fulfilment via Unleashed
Performing Basic Inventory Adjustments (if authorised)
Depending on their role, staff may need to:
- Adjust quantities for damaged or missing items
- Transfer stock between locations
- Log adjustments with proper reason codes
Module 4: Troubleshooting Basic Issues
What to Do if a Product Isn’t Found
Check spelling, SKU, or barcode. If it’s still missing, verify whether it’s synced correctly from Unleashed to Lightspeed via TIDE.
Who to Contact for Sync Errors
Clearly define who handles integration support—often your TIDE admin or IT lead.
Understanding Common Error Messages
Provide cheat sheets or help guides explaining frequent sync issues. The goal: reduce panic and get back to business fast.
Effective Training Strategies
Hands-On Training Sessions
Give staff space to try things out without pressure.
Using a Test Environment for Practice
Create a sandbox version of the systems so they can explore sales, returns, and stock updates without impacting live data.
Creating Clear Training Documentation
Provide always-available resources that staff can reference on the fly.
Step-by-Step Guides, FAQs
Make it visual, simple, and jargon-free. Use screenshots and flowcharts where possible.
Role-Specific Training
Tailor sessions to each job function.
Tailoring Content for Sales Staff vs. Warehouse Staff vs. Managers
- Sales Staff: Focus on Lightspeed, sales workflows, returns
- Warehouse: Receiving, stock control, inventory adjustments
- Managers: Reporting, oversight, troubleshooting workflows
Ongoing Support and Refresher Courses
Training isn’t one-and-done.
Designated Go-To Person
Have an internal champion or tech lead for each system.
Regular Check-ins
Run monthly or quarterly refreshers to answer new questions and reinforce good habits.
Benefits of Well-Trained Staff
Increased Operational Efficiency
Integrated systems, used well, reduce duplicated work and cut delays.
Reduced Errors and Rework
Training minimises costly mistakes—like overselling, mislabelled stock, or customer frustration.
Improved Customer Experience
Staff can answer questions, find alternatives, and solve problems in real time.
Greater Employee Satisfaction and Empowerment
People like feeling competent. Give them the tools, and they’ll give you their best work.
Conclusion
The Human Element of Successful Integration
Software won’t fix disjointed operations if your people aren’t ready. Train them right, and they become the engine behind your digital strategy.
Building a Confident and Competent Team
With Unleashed, Lightspeed, and TIDE working behind the scenes, your team has everything they need to thrive—so long as they’ve been shown how. Train smart. Grow stronger.
Read more about TIDE’s Unleashed & Lightspeed integration here