Katana
Katana is a cloud-based manufacturing enterprise resource planning software that gives you real-time visibility into inventory, production, and sales to streamline your entire small-to-medium manufacturing business operations.
LS Central
LS Central is a unified commerce software solution built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central that connects your financials, POS, inventory, and customer loyalty programs within a single platform.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Katana | LS Central |
|---|---|---|
| Website | katanamrp.com | lsretail.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Custom |
| Starting Price | $179/month | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2017 | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Tallinn, Estonia | Kópavogur, Iceland |
Overview
Katana
Katana gives you a live look at your entire manufacturing business by unifying your sales, inventory, and production workflows. Instead of juggling messy spreadsheets, you get a visual interface that automatically prioritizes orders based on material availability. You can track raw materials and finished goods in real-time, ensuring you never overstock or run out of essential components during a production run.
The platform is designed specifically for scaling manufacturers who need to move beyond basic accounting tools. You can easily sync your shop floor with your online store, manage outsourced production, and calculate accurate product costs automatically. It helps you eliminate production bottlenecks and fulfill customer orders faster by providing a single source of truth for your entire team.
LS Central
LS Central is a unified commerce platform designed to bridge the gap between your physical stores and digital channels. Built directly on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, it eliminates the need for separate systems by housing your retail point of sale, inventory management, and back-office financials in one database. You can manage your entire operation from a single interface, ensuring that your stock levels, pricing, and customer data remain consistent across every touchpoint.
You can tailor the platform to meet the specific needs of various sectors, including pharmacy, hospitality, and electronics. By centralizing your data, you gain real-time insights into your sales performance and supply chain health. This integration helps you reduce manual data entry errors and provides a smoother experience for your customers, whether they are shopping in-store or online.
Overview
Katana Features
- Live Inventory Management Track your raw materials and finished products in real-time to maintain optimal stock levels and prevent production delays.
- Master Production Scheduling Drag and drop your manufacturing orders to prioritize jobs and see how changes impact your material requirements instantly.
- Omnichannel Sales Sync Connect your e-commerce stores and marketplaces to centralize all your sales orders and inventory levels in one place.
- Contract Manufacturing Manage your outsourced production processes by tracking purchase orders and inventory levels at your partner locations seamlessly.
- Shop Floor App Give your operators a digital task list on their mobile devices to track time and material consumption accurately.
- Automated Costing Calculate your precise manufacturing costs based on your bill of materials and production operations without manual calculations.
LS Central Features
- Unified POS. Run your sales transactions on fixed terminals or mobile devices while staying connected to your central inventory and financial data.
- Inventory Optimization. Track your stock levels in real-time across all locations and automate replenishment to ensure you never miss a sale.
- Customer Loyalty. Create personalized offers and manage membership points to keep your customers coming back to your physical and online stores.
- Financial Management. Handle your accounting, tax reporting, and cash flow directly within the platform thanks to its deep Microsoft Dynamics integration.
- E-commerce Integration. Connect your online shop to your physical warehouse so you can offer click-and-collect services and accurate stock availability.
- Kitchen Management. Streamline your food service operations by sending orders directly from the POS to kitchen displays for faster preparation.
Pricing Comparison
Katana Pricing
- Up to 3 users
- 1 inventory location
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Sales order management
- Basic production planning
- E-commerce integrations
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Unlimited inventory locations
- Shop Floor mobile app
- Batch and lot tracking
- Multi-currency support
- Full API access
LS Central Pricing
Pros & Cons
Katana
Pros
- Intuitive visual interface is easy to navigate
- Seamless integration with Shopify and QuickBooks Online
- Real-time material availability tracking saves significant time
- Excellent customer support and onboarding resources
Cons
- Starting price is high for very small businesses
- Mobile app functionality is limited for administrators
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier paid plans
LS Central
Pros
- Deep integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
- Eliminates the need for complex third-party integrations
- Highly scalable for businesses with multiple international locations
- Robust offline POS functionality ensures continuous sales
Cons
- Significant learning curve for staff new to Microsoft ERPs
- Implementation requires a specialized certified partner
- Higher upfront cost compared to simple tablet POS systems