A new forest information system will be supplied to Metsähallitus by experienced vendors Arbonaut and Triona. As this system will be used to draw up all forest and ecological management plans for state-owned multiple-use forests, its implementation is a significant project. The new system will increase the efficiency of forest planning, improve its quality, and enhance monitoring by supporting planners’ decision-making and providing them with information about completed work.
Silvia, Metsähallitus’ current forest information system, was deployed in 2015. As forestry activities and forest resource data evolved, multiple needs for upgrading the system emerged, which can be best responded to with new system architecture. In addition, support for the current system’s platform will not be provided after 2025.
“We expect the new system to support decision-making by clearly displaying options for measures and their objectives to the planner. Work implementation data uploaded directly to the system will support supervision and improve the quality of planning. Knowledge-based management is the modern way to go”, says Hannu Lehtonen, Director of Forest Use and Planning at Metsähallitus.
“New forest management objectives, such as increasing continuous cover silviculture and favouring mixed forests, have additionally contributed to the need for a planning system that is better at describing uneven-aged forests.”
Adaptable system works also in demanding conditions
The starting point for the upgrade is modern, efficient and dynamic management of forest resource data. Usability is an essential feature of the system – it must be stable, efficient, available and user friendly.
“As we often draw up plans out in the forest, a key requirement is that the system can also be used in difficult conditions, such as without taking your gloves off in cold weather. It must additionally operate smoothly without a network connection”, Lehtonen points out.
The volume and quality of data are increasing, and new needs are constantly emerging. For example, the system must respond to the diversification of forest experts’ job description. The new system will consequently have a modular structure, making it possible to only make modifications to the required components.
Users participate in the system upgrade
The system upgrade is a huge process, as the forest information system is Metsähallitus’ basic tool for managing the forest assets and using them sustainably. This is why continuous feedback from users is vital throughout the project.
“During the specification project alone, 250 events with more than 200 participants were organised. Future users of the system will be engaged as much as possible in the implementation throughout, for example by asking them about their needs and presenting interim results to them,” says Lehtonen.
According to plans, the new system will be deployed in November 2025.
Vendors are experienced spatial data companies
A consortium consisting of Arbonaut Oy and Triona Oy was selected to implement Metsähallitus’ new forest information system. Arbonaut was also involved in producing the current Silvia system.
“After well over a decade, we are happy to continue our fruitful and productive cooperation on forest information systems with Metsähallitus. Metsähallitus is one of the most advanced forest management organisations in the world, and it uses LiDAR-based forest resource data with a high level of efficiency,” says Tuomo Kauranne, CEO of Arbonaut.
Triona, Arbonaut’s partner in this project, operates in the Nordic countries and has counted Sveaskog, Metsähallitus’ peer organisation in Sweden, among its customers for spatial data systems.
“Both in Finland and across the entire Triona Group, forestry is one of the most important branches of industry for us, which is why collaboration with Metsähallitus is a good fit for our operations and objectives. This project also allows us to get involved in building information exchanges between public actors in the Nordic forest sector. I am positive that we will achieve the desired outcome together with Arbonaut,” says Mika Karjalainen, CEO of Triona.
What is a forest system?
A forest system is used to plan all forestry work, including felling, regeneration, sapling stand management and fertilisation as well as water and ecological management. Data concerning trees, sites and landscape ecology are also maintained in the system. The system is additionally used for forest growth calculations.
The forest system uses several different data sources and spatial data sets.
A significant proportion of Metsähallitus’ forestry personnel, both in the office and out in the forest, use the system on a daily basis.
A negotiated tendering procedure was organised on the procurement. The final contract award decision was made in late May based on the most economically advantageous tender in terms of price and quality.
The total value of the contract is around EUR 5 million.
Further information:
Hannu Lehtonen, Director of Forest Use and Planning, Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd, tel. +358 40 583 6983
Tuomo Kauranne, CEO, Arbonaut Oy, tel. +358 40 530 0622, tuomo.kauranne@arbonaut.com
Niko Rosenquist, Business Manager, Triona Group, +46 709 13 20 30, niko.rosenquist@triona.se
Metsähallitus:
Metsähallitus is a state enterprise that manages one third of Finland’s land and water areas. Metsähallitus aims to foster the value of nature and shared wealth in a responsible manner across generations. 1,200 Metsähallitus employees all over Finland are responsible for the sustainable use, management and protection of these land and water areas, reconciling different needs and expectations
Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd not only manages commercial forests but also secures timber production, protects biodiversity, meets customer needs, provides preconditions for the multiple use of forests and promotes climate change mitigation and adaptation
Arbonaut:
Arbonaut is the leading global provider of accurate digital information on forests. Arbonaut develops practical, innovation-driven solutions for traditional forest management, operational forest conditions, biodiversity, and risk management since 1994. Arbonaut’s mission is promote responsible forestry by creating digital twins of forest ecosystem that will lead to good forest management decisions.
Triona:
Triona is a leading and reliable supplier of innovative IT solutions related to logistics and infrastructure-oriented businesses.
We combine industry-specific competence and skills in transport infrastructure, power/energy, contractor related businesses, transports and forest industry with industry-specific products and leading-edge experience within software engineering and maintenance.
We are established in Finland, Norway and Sweden.