Digital transformation is an inevitable process that is changing industries, enabling them to be more optimised, accountable and data-driven. And Timbeter is revolutionising forestry with its artificial intelligence (AI)- powered digital solution, which aims to make the sector more efficient and transparent.
Timbeter was founded in Estonia, a well-known global leader in digital solutions, as a response to the lack of available tools that could be used for objective, transparent, quick and accurate measurement.
In 2013, Vallo Visnapuu received a phone call from the organisers of a local technology hackathon event called Garage48. The event organisers asked him to present a problem that he faced in his sawmill and how using new technology could solve the problem.
Mr Visnapuu had the idea that if smartphones could recognise human faces, why couldn’t they recognise logs from a photo? He met fellow technology and forestry enthusiasts Anna-Greta Tsahkna and Martin Kambla at the event and, together, they launched a prototype that won the competition.
Timbeter now serves clients in 61 countries around the world, is available in 11 languages and has more than 10,000 users.
The innovative mobile device-based solution is providing accurate measurement of timber in a variety of settings – pile, truck or container, significantly reducing the time spent on measurement processes and data management.
How is it done? A simple photo is taken of the timber using the dedicated Timbeter app. Whether in a pile, on a truck or in a container, it can be analysed. This provides accurate and reliable information for anyone dealing with timber log measurement from forest owners and sawmills to manufacturers and transport companies. Only an Android or iOS smart device (mobile phone or tablet) is required to run the software.
Every measurement is stored in the cloud, providing a real-time overview of measurements related to their species, assortments and qualities. Timbeter’s storage enables users to analyse and share measurements quickly, view inventories, active storage statuses and create instant reports (as Excel spreadsheets or PDFs) in a few taps of a button, aiding managers and accountants to remain informed and up-to-date. Every pile can be re-measured on the web if required.
The instant value of Timbeter is its timesaving. All the measurements are made in a couple of minutes using AI and machine learning, and data is available in digital form which is useful for logistics and sales.
Timbeter brings together technologies such as GPS, cloud computing and API (application programming interface) that enable companies to track the volumes in the entire supply chain, from the forest to the sawmill/manufacturer. With Timbeter, it is easy to monitor and control the volumes, plan logistics and make sure that the value of each log is maximised. The return on investment varies from 12-25 times and one customer reported that they saved US$1.2m annually, thanks to Timbeter.
The advantages of the technology applied by Timbeter compared to standard measurements made by foresters are transparency, efficiency of operations and safety of the employees. For example, a client from Chile reported that they had no fatal accidents during the measurement process from the start of collaboration with Timbeter. Also, the decrease in using hazardous waste (paint) has been enormous – more than 50%. And the data – having a precise overview of the volumes, assortments, exact locations – helps to plan the logistics and next steps in the supply chain much more efficiently. All the logistics planning is based on actual piles, not storages. And this helps to be much more precise and optimised in their planning.
In Germany, Timbeter is collaborating with exporters of timber. Using Timbeter Container in their daily operations helps to speed up the process, have a real-time overview of all the operations and minimise any possible dispute between sellers and buyers. Digital proof is always available, guaranteeing transparent sales transactions for both sides.
Another example is the Brazilian market, where Timbeter is interesting mostly for pulpwood companies, as we have a special measurement regime for pulpwood. Usually, this is the material that no-one bothers to measure one-by-one, so the estimate is based on subjective visual observation. Timbeter detects in a couple of minutes the pile density (how much timber is in the pile without air and the bark), the number of logs, diameters and the average diameter.
Another example is making inventories of large piles. Timbeter is also capable of making measurements from large piles – it automatically stitches together up to 25 pictures. So we have measurements where there are more than 13,000 logs detected. It would be pretty hard to count them one-by- one.
New technologies in forestry are a part of a sustainable future. Forest 4.0 will be based on data and digital solutions, like Timbeter, and will help companies to achieve their sustainability goals. The forestry sector has an important role in providing renewable material and fighting illegal logging.
Our goal is to contribute to the sustainable management of forests and forestry plantations. Digital solutions like Timbeter help companies to be more efficient and transparent and also easily provide necessary data for the government that will help to fight illegal logging.
We are happy to be working with companies, governments and state forests, non-governmental organisations, and many diverse stakeholders in the forestry sector committed to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Transparency, fair-trade, efficient use of resources – these are all very important topics.
