About This Release
Released - April 8, 2020
This version is built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 15.4.
LS Central 15.3
LS Central 15.3 is based on the AL programming language. Since LS Central 15.0, all LS Central code has been converted from C/AL to AL. The conversion from C/AL to AL included refactoring and adjustments due to several reasons, such as removing dependencies to .dlls, adjusting pages to web client, and refactoring code in order not to modify the Business Central Base Application.
LS Central 15.3 is delivered as an extension with dependency on the Business Central Base App. This means that LS Central does not make any changes to the Business Central Base Application.
Business Central 15 and later, and therefore LS Central 15 and later, can only be run in web client. There is no Windows client.
The new development environment changes how LS Central releases are delivered. The release package includes both the runtime app and the source code.
LS Central AL code
The source code is delivered in AL files that can be modified by partners just as partners could modify the LS Central C/AL code before. It is, however, highly recommended to make all modifications in extensions, and if you need to alter the LS Central or Business Central behavior then do that by subscribing to events.
To develop an extension, you need to download the symbols. “You can look at the symbols as the application programming interface to the system, the application and the test objects”,
It is LS Retail's priority to make it easy for the partners to extend LS Central. Therefore, there is a special section in our Support Portal where partners can submit request for new events. These requests are given priority.
LS Central extension
The release package includes LS Central as a runtime app that can be installed as an extension. To install the extension, you first need to publish it, see Publishing and Installing an Extension v2.0. Once the extension has been published, the LS Central extension can be installed using the Extension Management page in Business Central.
The following is a list of changes and key features in LS Central 15.3.
New or Enhanced Features
Retail
BackOffice
Customer Order Improvement
It is now possible to insert a Requested Delivery Date in a customer order. This also applies to sales orders.
Fiscal Framework
Fiscal Framework for LS Central has been implemented. This framework is useful when fiscal extensions to LS Central are implemented.
Improved Printed Return Receipt
When refunding, the text "Copy" is no longer printed on the customer's receipt.
Member Club Improvement
It is now possible to void member points against an actual entry in the Member Club page. Previously the oldest points were voided.
LS Central POS
New HTML Editor
New HTML editor with syntax highlighting, formatting, and line-numbers has been added to Item HTML.
Scan Directly to LS Central Pages
- A new action, Test Scanner Connection, has been added to the POS Scanner Card. The action uses the Hardware Station to enable the scanner and the scan data is relayed back to the card.
- A new action, Test Printer Connection, has been added to the POS Printer Card. The action uses the Hardware Station to print a test string on the printer that is being configured.
LS Retail Apps
Mobile Inventory
- An indicator has been added that shows how many pictures have been taken with the Mobile Inventory app.
- Mobile Inventory help has been added to the LS Central Help.
- LS Retail Apps Release Notes are now available online.
Hospitality
Food and Beverage
Improved Naming Convention for Activity Location and Linked Dining Area
An Activity location with a linked dining area does no longer have to have the same name as the dining area.
New POS Commands
The following POS commands are new in LS Central 15.3:
- ACTPAYGROUP - lists all group reservations in LS Activity that are confirmed but not fully paid.
- SET_REQ_DEL_DATE - Set Requested Delivery Date.
See the LS Central Help and the corresponding Excel list with filters for a complete list of POS commands.
Other
Configuration Packages for LS Central Demo Data Company
In LS Central version 15.0 all transactions in the demo data company were removed but stock information was included for testing purposes. In release 15.3 all item ledger entries have been removed as well.
To simplify the work of providing stock information for testing purposes, data for Configuration Packages have been prepared, to be used by the Configuration Packages functionality in Business Central.
The first data package, a sheet to import into Item Journals, is included in LS Central 15.3. More packages may be provided later.
Here is a direct link to the LS Central Configuration Packages on the LS Retail Portal. You can also find the link at the bottom of the LS Central Help home page.
Head Office in the Cloud and Offline POS/POS Server
LS Central can now be used by having the Head Office in the Dynamics 365 Central Cloud with an offline POS/POS Server. This is the LS Retail Hybrid Cloud.
Initial setups must be done in cooperation with the LS Central development team. Partners with customers who may want to set up LS Central in this way can contact Matthias Matthiasson, Product Director, by email: matti@lsretail.com.