Getting started guide
In this article, learn how to use the web-based Back Office where you add your menu, configure settings, and perform other setup tasks for your account. Navigate to other articles in the guide using the carousel below.
The web-based Back Office is where you set up most aspects of Lightspeed Restaurant and manage things like menus, settings, reporting, and employee hours. This article explains all that you can do within the Back Office, how to log in for the first time and navigate around, and other important features to know about.
Understanding the Back Office
The Back Office is the operational engine room of your business. It plays an essential role in a range of tasks, from setting up Lightspeed to managing day-to-day operations. While you'll initially start with one set of Back Office login credentials, you can always create more Back Office users as needed.
Back Office functions and features
The Back Office is where you:
- Perform most of the setup in the Getting started guide.
- Set up discounts, account / order profiles, and reporting shifts, as well as other elements not covered within the guide
- View and manage employees' hours worked.
- Connect and manage Lightspeed add-ons, such as Order Anywhere online ordering and Lightspeed Delivery, and third-party integrations.
- Review sales reports.
Logging in for the first time
The first time you log in to the Back Office, you need to select a business profile that will optimize your account's initial settings for your specific business type.
Before logging in for the first time, locate the account activation email sent to you when your account was created. Follow the prompts in the email to set a Back Office admin password.
- In a web browser, visit https://manager.lsk.lightspeed.app/ to access the Back Office login page.
Note: We recommend using a computer to access the Back Office as it will be more responsive a tablet. Back Office is not supported on mobile phone devices.
- Enter your username (email address) and password.
- Click Log in to continue.
- Select the profile that most closely reflects your business, then click Continue. Don't worry, you can always change individual settings later.
Note: Available business profiles may vary by region.
Profile Benefits Fast Casual / QSR Ideal for quick-serve restaurants without tables, such as food trucks or ghost kitchens. Features present in the Fast Casual / QSR profile include:
- Basic table number support with no floor plans
- Customer receipts print automatically when closing orders
- No tipping
Cafes / Bakeries Ideal for quick-serve restaurants with tables, such as a coffee shop or fast food. Features present in the Cafes / Bakeries profile include:
- Full table number support, including floor plans
- Customer receipts print automatically when closing orders
Bar / Pubs Ideal for bars, pubs, and taverns with counter or table service. Features present in the Bars / Pubs profile include:
- Full table number support, including floor plans
- Customer receipts print automatically when closing orders
- Ability to organize orders by seat
Casual / Fine dining Ideal for both traditional and upscale restaurants who need complete table management. Features present in the Casual / Fine dining profile include:
- Full table number support, including floor plans
- Order tickets print the full course history
- No Direct Sale mode
- Users are automatically logged out after completing orders
Hotels Ideal for hotel establishments. Features present in the Hotels profile include:
- Full table number support, including floor plans
- Order tickets print the full course history and floor plan name
- No Direct Sale mode
- Users are automatically logged out after completing orders
After selecting a business profile, you'll land on the Setup guide. Continue reading to learn more about navigating around the Back Office.
Navigating the Back Office
Finding your way around the Back Office requires understanding its two main components: the navigation menu and header. The navigation menu contains links to all Back Office sections and features, and the header allows you to access account management and support pages quickly.
Navigation menu
The navigation menu on the left sidebar contains the different categories of features present in the Back Office. The table in this section provides an overview of each default top-level menu section and its function.
| Section | Description |
| Home | Return to the Dashboard that initially appears after logging in to the Back Office. |
| Menu management | Add, edit, and manage items, menus, and accounting groups. |
| Configuration | Manage account settings, POS devices and device configurations, printers and printer settings, users and user groups, and payment methods. |
| Reports | Access the Sales dashboard and other reporting, such as sales and staff reports. |
| Advanced insights | Our Advanced Insights add-on is a proprietary reporting system that offers comprehensive access into your key business metrics. |
| Hours | View user shifts and hours worked, and add new user shifts. |
| Integration | Set up and manage add-ons and third-party integrations like online ordering and Lightspeed Delivery, for example. |
| Customers | Add, view, and manage customer information, gift cards, and loyalty cards. |
| Finances | Learn more about Lightspeed Payments and Lightspeed Capital. |
| PMS search | Search for specific receipts if using a third-party property management system integration. |
Header
The header at the top of the screen links to support resources and account management features, such as changing the Back Office language and logging out. The table in this section provides an overview of each header section and its function.
| Section | Description |
| Setup guide | Step-by-step guide through the initial setup process. The Setup guide is only visible while your account is still in setup mode, |
| Help | View your Business ID and access links to the Help Center, tutorial videos, support email address, and System status page. |
| Language | Change the language used in Back Office menus and sections to German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, or Dutch. |
| Product Switcher (grid icon) | The Product Switcher allows you to toggle between your existing Lightspeed add-ons, such as Order Anywhere, and start a free trial for those you don't currently subscribe to. |
| User name or icon | View and change the name, email address, and password for your account, to manage your subscription and billing invoices (select accounts only), or to log out of the Back Office. |
About the Setup guide
The Setup guide, located in the upper-right corner on the Back Office page header, is a useful supplement to our Getting started guide. It's only available while your account is in setup mode (all accounts begin in setup mode until you go live).
The guide tracks your progress toward launching Lightspeed Restaurant in your business with each task you complete. Click a section of the guide, like Menu management, to view what still needs to be done for that section.