Forest Machine Connectivity
Improving efficiency in the timber harvesting supply chain by collecting and analyzing Industrial IoT data.
Project Overview
Updated October 16, 2024
The Problem
In order to stay competitive in the global wood products manufacturing industry, Canfor and Mosaic recognize the need to digitally transform and modernize the timber harvesting supply chain.
Both companies, in collaboration with the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry, are leading the Forest Machine Connectivity project to deploy the first application to solve the industry’s technical barriers impacting efficiency.
How We Are Solving It
The Forest Machine Connectivity project is using an Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform, which is a network of smart devices that can collect, monitor, exchange and analyze data as well as deliver valuable insights. The data and insights will allow contractors, machine operators and forest managers to identify bottlenecks and improve productivity in real time and develop best practices throughout the supply chain.
The Result
Unlike cut-to-length harvesting systems which are more commonly used in Scandinavian countries and other places in the world, whole-tree and harvesting operations, largely used in North American timber harvesting operations, do not have a widely adopted standard and system for monitoring supply chain and performance. The Forest Machine Connectivity solution has changed that.
The project supported a significant advancement in the development of automated production analyses and supply chain management solutions for the forestry sector by successfully developing a novel IoT solution that enables improved supply chain visibility and performance monitoring of harvesting operations, including whole-tree operations. Its key outcome included expanded functionality of Lim Geomatics’ Op Tracker and Status SaaS solution to enable improved supply chain visibility and equipment performance monitoring. A second measurable outcome included the instrumentation of forestry equipment with on-board computer systems for automated machine data gathering and the development of a digital platform for integration and processing of such data with site and stand information. Several data processing logics were developed for various harvest systems and work phases, resulting in a comprehensive digital solution capable of providing daily-level and/or block-level production analyses of all harvest systems used in the Canadian context.
The solution has been deployed and adopted across more than 500 forestry machines by Canfor and Mosaic in their British Columbia and Alberta operations. Once fully implemented, the solution is expected to deliver a 3-5% improvement in equipment utilization for these 500 forestry machines. Based on an assessment by Mosaic’s Climate and Sustainability team, this translates into an annual reduction of approximately 3,100 to 5,200 tCO2e, or the equivalent of removing 750 to 1,200 passenger vehicles from the road.
The project represents a significant step in the global digital revolution of the forestry sector, particularly for whole-tree harvesting systems for which there are no other ready solutions available on the market or in the literature.
Project Lead
Project Partners
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“The Forest Machine Connectivity project represents significant progress for Canadian forestry. Using an Industrial Internet of Things platform, the technology and products developed through Mosaic Forest Management and co-partners investment provide tangible tools and real-time data benefits, enabling forest stewards to improve productivity in the timber harvesting process efficiently and safely.”
Vice President, Information Technology and Planning, Mosaic Forest Management Corp -
“This investment in technology is helping the contractors we work with grow, thrive and be more productive. It also helps us at Canfor better understand exactly the products being created in the field for our customers. This was done alongside our partners, including DIGITAL.”
SVP Supply Chain & Digital, Canfor -
“Through the successful completion of the Forest Machine Connectivity project, Canadian Forest Products Ltd. and Mosaic Forest Management Corp. became Lim Geomatics' first two lighthouse customers for the Op Tracker FMC solution developed and light the digital transformation path forward for the rest of the forest industry in Canada and abroad.”
President & CEO, Lim Geomatics Inc. -
“The Forest Machine Connectivity project exemplifies the power of collaborative research. By uniting academia, IT, and the forest industry, we've not only revolutionized supply chain visibility but also positioned Canada as a leader in digitalization and big data management. This invaluable experience has not only benefited our graduate students and postdocs but will continue to shape their careers for years to come.”
Associate Dean, Research Forests & Community Outreach, Associate Professor Forest Operations, The University of British Columbia