Creative Forest - A platform for planning and optimization of timber exchange between forest companies
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Creative Optimization Sweden AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 800 000 |
| Project duration | November 2014 - June 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The project has developed a web-based platform, Creative Forest, where forest companies use advanced optimization for collaborative logistics focused on wood bartering. The companies are provided better planning and coordination aiming at shorter transports and less empty driving improving both economy and environment. With a new modeling language and modules for automatic generation of data from external data sources the aim has been met. Moreover, several standard in- and output data formats can be used.
Expected results and effects
With the platform Creative Forest companies can make advanced optimizations with a focus on collaboration and analysis of their own transports through both web and desktop applications. The analytics provided improve transport efficiency, economy and environment. Since May 2016, three larger companies are using applications from the platform for commercial activities to follow up and analyze their own transports. Additional companies are currently testing planning applications and an educational version is used at universities in two countries since 2015.
Planned approach and implementation
The platform has been developed through eight work packages. They were defined by separate modules to make the development more efficient and to concretize the platform and several modules are developed for stand-alone use. The development was done through three collaborative projects where several companies have participated which resulted in three commercial products: Woodflow Analyzer (prescriptive analytics), Woodflow UX (education), and Woodflow Optimizer (predictive analytics). All have been customized for easy use together with existing business systems.