Business Process Reengineering of a Large-Scale Public Forest Enterprise Through Harvester Data Integration

Abstract

Despite the extensive use of cut-to-length mechanized systems, harvester data remains largely underutilized by most stakeholders in Germany. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine how business processes should be restructured to allow for a continuous use of forest machine data, with the main focus on harvester production data, along the German wood supply chain. We also wanted to identify possible benefits and challenges of the restructuring through a qualitative analysis of the newly designed business process. The Bavarian State Forest Enterprise was chosen for a case study approach. Based on expert interviews, the current and to-be processes were modeled. Results obtained from the qualitative data indicated that an integration of harvester data is achievable in Germany. Harvester data from forest operations can be provided to all subsequent activities along the supply chain. Core changes were the addition of a digital work order, the data exchange between harvester and forwarder, the pile order and the exchange of production data. Benefits for every stakeholder were determined. Through the reengineered process, harvesting and timber information are available and known at an earlier stage of the process, throughput information stations could be eliminated and working comfort could be improved. Ecological benefits could also be achieved through an anticipated reduction of CO2 emissions and protection of sensitive nature areas. Negative consequences of harvester data integration could appear in the social sphere and were in line with the reduction of personal contact. Challenges for the implementation in reality, besides the legal situation, could be the availability of on-board computers in forwarders, cost for new IT applications, willingness of stakeholders to cooperate and availability of internet access. Further research should be focused on the combination of harvester data with other data types and the practical implementation of the TB process.

Supply Chain in the Digital Age: A Scientometric–Thematic Literature Review

“…Agri-food critical challenges related to the implementation of digitalization [78] improving food traceability and verifying its authenticity through digitalization [79] creating digitization incubators [80] the possibility of using digitalization to improve Agriculture 4.0 solutions [81] building the resilience of short-food supply chain participants through digitalization [65] implementation of digital transformation and automation in the meat industry [82] Automotive the impact of digital transformation on the integration of global value chains [83] differences in the use and impact of digital technologies between manufacturing subsidiaries and lead companies [84] Fashion/Textile using digitalization in creating interactive clothing design systems [85] implementation of an IoT-based solution for warehouse process management [86] Wood restructuring of business processes by implementing digital technologies [87] Metallurgical tools used in the metallurgy in Poland on the way to full digitalization [88] Public services modernization of processes by implementing blockchain technology [89] assessing different approaches to digital transformation in the public services sector [90] Humanitarian supply chains the impact of digitalization on fast, fair, and safe humanitarian logistics [61] configuration of the technology portfolio and overcoming barriers related to the implementation of digital technologies…”

Systematics of Forestry Technology for Tracing the Timber Supply Chain

“…Position of the individual standing tree to mill in any condition [111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119] Machine data position, measurement data, production data at the level of the individual from standing tree to forest road (harvester, forwarder) and beyond (logistics) [18,109,120] Data standards standardised input, processing and communication of data from forestry operations from standing tree to mill [19,109,[121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139][140] Remote sensing of the position and attributes of the standing tree offers opportunities for timber supply and forest management. Not only does it represent the first step in tracing timber flows to the mill and the associated ability to interconnect machines that collect data on the functional unit of timber, but it optimises planning, harvesting, primary transport, machine navigation, automation and forest management by requiring fewer personnel and resources to spend less time on each process [18,110].…”

“…We identified seven relevant standards with different coverages of the process chain. StanForD covers timber harvest and logisitcs; ELDATsmart covers logistics and billing (the same applies to FHPDAT); papiNET covers ordering, timber harvest, logistics, timber processing, billing and further processing; eFids covers timber harvest, logistics, timber processing and billing; GeoDat only covers logistics; and Forestand covers the forest stand and order placement [121,122]. ELDATsmart/FHPDAT, papiNet and StanForD are described in more detail below.…”