Selco Builders Warehouse

Selco discover 'what a difference a great partner can make'

Selco are a large chain of builders’ merchants and are part of the Grafton Group, along with brands such as Buildbase. The Dynamics NAV solution used at the organisation runs most of the operational processes including the store sales (both EPOS and customer orders), the stock control activities, finance and administrative processes and is integrated to their online web store. The solution has thousands of users.

From old to new

With a very old Dynamics NAV solution implemented in 2004, Selco had tried to upgrade their solution with their previous partner, K3. Selco identified TNP as a potential new partner, who were capable of supporting both the old existing Dynamics NAV solution and providing strategic direction and architectural advice on moving the solution to the latest Dynamics 365 Business Central version.

Having transferred the support of the old Dynamics NAV solution to TNP, Selco engaged in a couple of tactical projects to prove the relationship could work; these projects included implementing handheld terminals in store to help with ‘gap filling’, in addition to a handheld stock take solution.

Bridging to Business Central

With these projects safely delivered, TNP and Selco set about jointly discussing options to move towards the Business Central solution. The main efficiency gains to be made would be done so by improving head office processes and this was also felt to be the best building block in the move to modernising the overall solution. A design was proposed to 'bridge' the old Dynamics NAV solution and the new world of Business Central. This design interfaces the old world (NAV) to the new world (Business Central) such that postings made in the old Dynamics NAV solution are replayed in the Business Central system. This meant that Selco could move head office finance and administrative staff onto the Business Central solution ahead of tackling the heavily modified store solution. With the implementation of Continia AP Automation (OCR scanning and matching of invoices) and the nHanced suite of products from TNP to automate workflow and add role centre dashboard flexibility, the solution provides not just improved standard processes but also the best of the apps that are available to extend Business Central functionality.

With the project underway and going well, Selco and TNP also set about rethinking the approach to upgrading EPOS and store capabilities. With the old system extremely modified, TNP took a more ‘standard first’ approach and, with some neat redesign, have managed to replace considerable modification with a much slimmer, extensions-based approach to the EPOS modifications.

TNP's 'customer centric ethos'

"What a difference a great partner can make," commented Rob Brewill, Finance Director at Selco, "we have achieved more in the 18 months since we moved to TNP than we did in the many previous years. We now have a platform to move forward with, and we will be able to remain agile and adaptable as an organisation like Selco needs to be". Selco's IT Director Bill Downing added: "one of the biggest differentiators with TNP is their customer centric ethos; they really do the best for the client and go that extra mile when compared to other partners out there".

Handheld stock taking could help you, as could plenty of other Retail ERP adjustments!