Selkirk Signs ERP Transformation With Bista Solutions
Selkirk Signs ERP Transformation with Bista Solutions
How Bista Solutions delivered a comprehensive ERP system that transformed operations, ensuring traceability, quality, and scalability
42,000+
Projects Completed
7500+
Locations Served
100%
Traceability
Real-Time
Production Visibility
About Selkirk Signs
Selkirk Signs is a Canada-based company specializing in signage and visual branding solutions. Their offering spans the full lifecycle, including design, permitting, manufacturing, project management, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
They operate at a national scale, having completed over 42,000 projects across more than 7,500 locations. Their clients include major brands such as Amazon Canada, 7-Eleven Canada, Esso, and Chevron.
At its core, Selkirk Signs runs a hybrid business that combines manufacturing with project-based service delivery. That combination is where complexity starts to build.
The Challenge
Selkirk’s operations covered everything from initial customer engagement to final installation and financial reporting, but these processes were not fully connected within a single system.
As a result, there were gaps in visibility and coordination. Manufacturing, inventory, project management, quality control, and finance were all critical parts of the business, but they were not working together as one continuous flow.
This created very specific risks and inefficiencies:
- Limited traceability from raw materials through to finished goods
- Manual coordination between teams and departments
- Lack of real-time visibility into production and project status
- Difficulty tracking true project costs and profitability
- Increased risk around quality compliance and delivery timelines
The business was functioning, but not in a way that could scale cleanly without adding friction.
What Bista Solutions Delivered
Bista Solutions implemented a comprehensive ERP system using Odoo, designed to align with how Selkirk actually operates rather than forcing them into a generic structure.
End-to-End Process Integration
We connected the full life-cycle of Selkirk’s operations into one continuous system. What starts as a CRM opportunity now flows directly into estimate creation, sales orders, manufacturing orders, procurement, and ultimately delivery and financial reporting. Each step feeds into the next without requiring manual re-entry or disconnected tracking.
Manufacturing-Focused System Design
Since Selkirk is fundamentally a manufacturing-driven company, the system was built around production as a core function. We implemented full manufacturing planning with work orders, bill of materials processing, and work center routing. Shop floor activities are now tracked in real time, including start and stop times, giving clear visibility into production progress.
Complete Traceability
A structured lot number management system was introduced to track materials from the moment they enter inventory through to final delivery. This allows Selkirk to trace every finished product back to its source materials and production steps. At the same time, validation controls prevent incorrect lot assignments during delivery, reducing the risk of errors that could impact customers or brand consistency.
Integrated Quality Control
Quality control was embedded directly into the manufacturing workflow rather than treated as a separate process. Quality checks are now tied to work orders, and production cannot be completed unless those checks are passed. Time spent on quality activities is tracked, and alerts are automatically generated when issues arise.
Project-Based Costing & Financial Visibility
Since every job is effectively a project, financial tracking was aligned with project execution. Costs from purchasing, labor, and manufacturing are automatically allocated to the correct project through analytic accounting. Timesheets captured during production and quality processes feed directly into cost calculations. This gives Selkirk a real-time view of project profitability instead of relying on after-the-fact analysis.
Multi-Location Operations Management
Selkirk operates across multiple facilities, including Fort Saskatchewan and Cranbrook, and each location has its own operational requirements. We implemented location-based inventory management, routing rules, and role-based access controls. This ensures that each facility operates within its own structure while still contributing to a centralized system. The result is better control without sacrificing flexibility.
Inventory and Financial Control
Inventory management was strengthened through FIFO valuation, automated stock reservations, and controls to prevent negative inventory. On the financial side, banking synchronization and automated reconciliation improved accuracy and reduced manual effort. Purchase requisitions are now triggered automatically based on sales activity, ensuring materials are aligned with demand.
Customizations for Real Operational Needs
Beyond standard ERP functionality, several custom solutions were developed, including a manufacturing unbuild and rebuild system, custom fiscal year alignment, duplicate vendor bill prevention, AWS S3 integration, and DUO two-factor authentication. They were necessary to ensure the system actually worked in Selkirk’s real operating environment.
The Outcome
With the ERP system in place, Selkirk now operates with a level of coordination and visibility that was not entirely possible before.
They have full traceability from raw materials to finished goods, real-time insight into production, and integrated quality control that ensures compliance at every step.
Financially, they can track project costs and profitability as work happens, rather than reconstructing it afterward.
Operationally, their multi-location setup is structured but unified, allowing them to scale without introducing unnecessary complexity.
Bottom Line
Selkirk Signs did not need more tools. They needed alignment across the business. Bista Solutions delivered a system that connects manufacturing, projects, inventory, quality, & finance into a single, consistent workflow.
Customer Feedback
“I wanted to take a few moments to express my appreciation for [the Bista team] for successfully completing the portal project. We have so far done a soft launch internally to make sure our team keeps the data up to date for the portal, and we are very excited to take it to our clients in the near future.
It was a great experience working with them on this project, and I am sure we will have other opportunities to develop this portal further once we start getting feedback from our clients.
Also want to make a quick mention of the support team. We have been working with them for a while now, and they have done a commendable job in making sure our tickets are handled in a timely manner, and they are very easy to work with and very approachable.”
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