Case Study

How Selco Builders Warehouse Modernised Retail Operations

Customer
Selco Builders Warehouse, 74 trade stores across the UK

Challenge
Legacy NAV system limiting performance, scalability and operational visibility across stores and head office

BC4 Solution
• Designed and delivered a phased migration from NAV to Microsoft Business Central and LS Central
• Built a hybrid bridge, allowing head office to modernise first while stores transitioned gradually
• Delivered one of the largest multi site BC + LS deployments in UK retail
• Provided programme leadership, architectural guidance, and ongoing managed support

Key Results
• Till processing time reduced from 5–10 minutes to around 30 seconds
• Overnight processing issues eliminated
• Faster, clearer decision making and operational control
• Stable platform for national growth and future work

About Selco Builders Warehouse

Selco Builders Warehouse is one of the UK’s leading trade-only merchants, serving small builders and tradespeople across the country. With 74 stores and an annual turnover of circa £550m, Selco has become the go-to one-stop shop for the trade, offering everything from heavy building materials to finishing products, delivered through both in-store and online channels.

The Challenge

Behind the scenes, the technology powering Selco’s operations was struggling to keep up. Their legacy Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) system had reached its limits, impacting performance, efficiency, and visibility across the business.

“When I arrived at Selco, the business was really struggling with performance,” explains Bill Downing, CTO of Selco Builders Warehouse. “We had been working with contractors without adding real value or strategic direction. We needed expertise, leadership, and someone who would act like part of our business.”

Selco began searching for a strategic technology partner who could stabilise systems and lead a major ERP modernisation. That search led them to BC4.

From Legacy Systems to Modern ERP

From the outset, BC4 worked shoulder to shoulder with Selco, guiding the move from NAV to Business Central and LS Central and supporting critical business growth. BC4 has remained Selco’s trusted partner throughout their transformation journey.

Selco’s transformation centred on one of the largest and most complex Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and LS Central implementations in the UK retail sector. With 74 stores, huge data volumes, and thousands of daily transactions, the project required a highly tailored approach.

BC4 designed a bridge between NAV and Business Central, allowing Selco to migrate central functions first while rolling out store upgrades in phases. This hybrid model ensured business continuity and gave store teams time to adapt.

“It was technically complex,” Bill recalls. “We had NAV running in some stores and Business Central in others for several months. BC4 built the bridge that made that possible. The rollout was out of hours to avoid disruption, and we refined everything after the first pilot to create a smooth, repeatable process.”

The result was a seamless transition that minimised downtime and delivered stability at scale.

Overcoming Cultural Resistance and Proving Performance

The project wasn’t just technical, it required cultural change too. After decades of rapid growth, many teams were hesitant to embrace new systems.

“There was real resistance to change,” says Bill. “The business had been successful for so long that people were sceptical about why we needed to move. But once we could show the performance gains, that mindset shifted.”

The difference was immediate. Key store processes, like building quotes at the till, were transformed.

“Previously, a large quote might take five or ten minutes to build and update,” Bill explains. “Now it takes around 30 seconds. That’s a huge improvement when you’ve got a customer standing in front of you.”

At the same time, overnight processing reliability improved dramatically. “On NAV, if anything failed overnight, we couldn’t catch up before stores opened at six in the morning. Those issues disappeared when we went live with Business Central.”

These efficiency gains delivered measurable benefits across the business: faster customer service, reduced operational risk, and major time and cost savings.

A True Partnership Approach

What stands out most in Selco’s story is not just the technical achievement but the partnership itself.

“BC4 operate as though they’re part of your organisation,” Bill says. “They do what’s best for the customer, not necessarily what’s best for themselves. That’s rare.”

He credits BC4’s flexibility, responsiveness, and technical strength as key to the project’s success.

“You can always rely on them. Even if you just need five minutes of advice, someone knowledgeable will respond. And they’ve got genuinely great people. Sid’s built a team of experts who know their stuff, that’s invaluable.”

This close working relationship meant problems were addressed quickly, decisions were collaborative, and trust was built over time. The result is a partnership that feels more like an extension of Selco’s own IT team than an external vendor.

Results and Measurable Impact

The move to Business Central and LS Central has given Selco a robust, scalable foundation for continued growth. The performance improvements across both store and central functions have been significant:

- Till performance: Quote building reduced from 5 to 10 minutes to around 30 seconds.

- Operational uptime: Overnight processing issues eliminated.

- Efficiency: Smoother workflows and faster store operations.

- Risk mitigation: More control, visibility, and system reliability.

“The improvements were clear to see,” says Bill. “Performance gains at the front end, faster processing overnight, and a system that’s now future-ready.”

Positioned for the Future

Today, Selco continues to work closely with BC4 on its ongoing roadmap, including plans for future work together. BC4 also supports Selco’s innovation initiatives, such as exploring loyalty and customer engagement tools inspired by BC4’s work in the sports commerce sector.

“Because of the forward-thinking and strategic leadership we get from BC4, we’re positioned for the future,” Bill concludes. “They help us plan long-term and make sure our technology evolves with the business.”

With a shared vision for continuous improvement, Selco and BC4 are proving how deep collaboration between retailer and technology partner can unlock performance, resilience, and growth in modern commerce.

From the Founder

Sid Desai, Founder and CEO, BC4

“Selco represents exactly the kind of partnership we strive to build at BC4 - one that goes beyond technology delivery and focuses on long-term impact.

From the beginning, our goal wasn’t just to move Selco onto a new system, it was to help them modernise their entire retail operation while maintaining business continuity. That meant designing a migration approach that respected the realities of day-to-day trading, not forcing change for change’s sake.

What made this project successful was the shared commitment on both sides. Bill and his team were willing to challenge convention and trust us to engineer a better way forward. Together, we built a platform that doesn’t just work today, it’s capable of scaling and evolving for years to come.

At BC4, that’s what we’re about - helping organisations connect, simplify, and perform better through technology that’s fit for the future.”