Lightspeed Commerce: From 6-Month Implementation to 30-Day Stability
CLIENT SUCCESS STORY:
Executive Summary
Lightspeed Commerce partnered with Kandor Solutions to deploy Workday using the Launch methodology across 16 countries in just 6 months. The result was unprecedented: the platform stabilized in 30 days post-go-live, compared to the industry standard of 3 months to 2 years.
IMPLEMENTATION TIME
7 Months
16 countries deployed
STABILIZATION TIME
30 DAYS
vs. 3+ months industry avg.
INTEGRATIONS BUILT
25
Half built in-house
The Challenge
As a rapidly growing commerce platform operating across 16 countries, Lightspeed faced the classic mid-market dilemma:
Multiple legacy systems from acquisitions creating data fragmentation and operational inefficiency
Decentralized processes across countries and business units
Ongoing M&A activity that could not pause for a lengthy implementation
Need for speed without sacrificing quality or long-term stability
The company needed a Workday implementation that could move quickly while building sustainable operational capabilities for the future.
The Kandor Approach
Kandor embedded a client-side Project Manager directly within the Lightspeed team from day one. This was not traditional consulting engagement, but a true partnership built on:
1. Trust-Based Collaboration
Rather than positioning ourselves as external advisors, we integrated as an extension of Lightspeed's internal team. The first weeks focused on building trust and understanding their unique context before diving into technical work.
2. Strategic Focus on Four Critical Areas
Based on our experience with 30+ Phase 1 implementations, we knew where projects typically fail. We proactively focused on:
Data Conversion Excellence: Going beyond simple workbook completion to understand policy documentation, cross-functional dependencies, and data quality implications
Testing Rigor: Starting test scenario documentation during requirements phase rather than waiting for formal testing phases, resulting in 99%+ accuracy between workbooks and configuration
Change Management: Engaging end users early with cohesive change, training, and communications plans tailored to Lightspeed's culture
Business Readiness: Establishing governance structures, support models, and operational ownership before go-live rather than scrambling after
3. Client-Side Perspective
As former Workday system owners at Google, Slack, and Coinbase, we understood what Lightspeed would face post-go-live. This informed every decision during implementation, from configuration choices to documentation standards to capability-building approaches.
The Results
Implementation Success
Scope delivered in 6 months:
Core HCM, Compensation & Advanced Compensation
Absence Management
Talent Optimization
16 country deployment
25 integrations (half developed internally using MuleSoft)
Managed ongoing M&A activity during implementation
Ready to Achieve Similar Results?
Contact Kandor Solutions to discuss your Workday implementation or resuce needs.
Book a strategy call with SeenaPost-Go-Live Stabilization
Platform stabilized in 30 days, representing the fastest post-go-live stabilization in Kandor's 10+ year history involving 30+ Phase 1 implementations.
Industry context: Most implementations take 3 months minimum to stabilize, with many organizations spending 1-2 years firefighting post-go-live issues.
Client Perspective
Heather Nicholson, Executive Sponsor and VP of People Operations, HRIS & Analytics at Lightspeed, presented their success story at Workday Rising 2022 in a session titled How Lightspeed Crushed their Launch Deployment.
Key Lessons Learned
On Resource Readiness:
I cannot stress enough the criticality of understanding the resource requirements and fully staffing up ahead of the demand on a Workday project. This is the X-Factor to the success of a deployment from a customer perspective.
On Launch Methodology:
Overall I feel neutral in terms of the effectiveness of the Launch methodology. Working with Kandor really helped us see around corners and focus in areas where there might be gaps on the customer side so that we can be successful.
On Business Readiness:
The amount of time that you spend stabilizing the Workday platform after going live is heavily reliant on the business readiness for Workday. We focused on establishing governance, support models, and operational ownership before go-live rather than after.
Ongoing Partnership
Following go-live success, Lightspeed and Kandor continued their partnership into Phase 2, focusing on:
Ongoing support and optimization
Governance structure maturation
Internal Workday team capability building
Strategic roadmap development
Why This Matters
The Lightspeed success story demonstrates what's possible when implementation partners bring genuine client-side experience and focus on the right priorities:
Speed doesn't require sacrificing quality when you focus on business readiness from day one
Client-side perspective changes implementation decisions because you understand post-go-live reality
True partnership means integration, not separation between consulting teams and internal teams
The real measure of success is stabilization time, not just go-live completion
About Kandor Solutions
Kandor Solutions brings 10+ years of Workday expertise with a unique differentiator: our team has lived on both sides of the table. As former Workday system owners at Google, Slack, and Coinbase, we understand what clients face post-implementation because we've experienced it ourselves.
This client-side perspective informs everything we do, from implementation methodology to ongoing support. We don't just deliver a technical solution. We build internal capability and set clients up for long-term success.
Ready to Achieve Similar Results?
Contact Kandor Solutions to discuss your Workday implementation or resuce needs.
Book a strategy call with Seena© 2026 Kandor Solutions. All Rights Reserved.
