From a Quality Controller point of View, TracElite

At present I am in charge of monitoring all incoming data records that enter the TracElite system. Each record represents either a standing tree or log if entered by a forest operator, or semi finished product or finished product if entered by a timber factory or retailer. Every time I log into the online system and take a look at the data, I find it amazing that nowadays it is possible to monitor Indonesian timber chains 12.000 km away from the UK. The big question is does it make sense? Is it worth the big effort and money that this system costs?

Well in my eyes yes, because in the past you had one option if you did not want to support illegal wood trading and deforestation. Simply not to buy tropical wood species! But things are not that simple. By boycotting the timber of an underdeveloped country, the value of forest land is decreased and the conversion rate of forest land into agriculture land is sped up. On the other hand it is not easy to substitute tropical hardwood. The weather durability of tropical timber can not nearly be beaten by European hardwood.

During my studies in forestry in the 90’s a new solution was born, one of the very little outcomes of the Rio conference and Rio follow up process. FSC certification was the solution for combining social issues like forest worker’s safety and respecting native rights combined with ecological issues like sustainable harvesting methods and respecting the existing wildlife.

In Indonesia the local label LEI was recognized by FSC but shortly after lost the FSC certification being the first acid test for FSC. Fraud was involved and false labelling. Still nowadays most of the documents proving legality or certification are paper based. This is not understandable as new technologies are available on the markets to reduce this fraud to a minimum or even drop it to zero.

TracElite has developed a field-proof tracking system that starts tracking in forests with a standing Inventory. A field team measures tree data of single trees and enters that data into a ruggedized handheld computer. Every tree recorded is tagged with a barcode label. The next tracking stage is when the harvesting takes place and every log barcode tagged is recorded with a barcode scanner. Logs are often transported over long distances and TracElite can track these logs if the transporting contactor also uses the handheld computer. The logs are again checked when they enter the factory log yard. You might think a tag can be removed and thereafter attached to a bigger tree with a higher volume. Well TracElite would automatically issue a non-compliance alert, which would show in real time on my screen. I would then ask that factory not to process that log. If I suspected that fraud was involved I would ask ground staff to carry out an immediate field trip. In the worst case if a factory or forest owner is being fraudulent he would get suspended from the system and could no longer prove the legality or even the certification of its timber.

The aim for TracElite is to have a finished product arrive at a retailer, whose entire chain has been tracked from the forests to factories and through transport and shipments. That day at the retailer a lorry will unload pallets of garden furniture chairs, for example, made of Balau. After unloading an employee will use a handheld and scan the barcode of each pallet. He will connect his handheld to a computer that has access to the internet. The records from his handheld will be uploaded to a central server and checked by the rules engine.

After the furniture has been put out for display, each customer would be able to buy tropical hardwood that is legal and they will know where it came from. In the slightest doubt he or any stakeholder, for example an environmental NGO, could call me and I could work out in less than 15 minutes exactly where that wood of his chair came from. If he is still not satisfied I could indicate to him the exact location of that forest where his chair came from.

He would find a barcode on the stump in that forest, that will be linked to the barcode on the pallet his garden furniture came from. The customer can therefore be sure what kind of source his furniture came from. But it doesn’t stop at the customer; the retailer, environmental stakeholders and all factories involved in the processing would have secure information of where their material came from.

Kind Regards

Felix Seidel

TracElite Quality Controller

All pictures taken from Perhutani Teak and Mahogany plantations, Kendal, Indonesia.
Perum Perhutani with the help of The Tropical Forest Trust (TFT) is working towards FSC certification.

Helveta and Intel work towards a national strategy for timber traceability in Bolivia

• Helveta and Intel supporting the development of Bolivia’s sustainable forest practice
• A combination of technologies providing the strongest solution
• Following successful trials, plans are made for a national deployment

Supported by the Tropical Forest Trust (TFT), Helveta, Intel, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have joined forces to provide a new strategy for sustainable forest practices to the Bolivian Forest Superintendency. Helveta’s timber traceability and supply chain monitoring system TracElite™ has been combined with a variety of technologies from Intel, culminating in a strong solution to Bolivia’s struggles with illegal logging and the on-going development of sustainable timber practices.

TracElite™ is part of Helveta's Control Intelligence System (CIS™) platform. Helveta's CIS™ suite of traceability applications for extended supply chains in the food production and timber industries includes TracElite™ for online Chain of Custody Management and CIEarth™ for inventory mapping.

Helveta CEO Patrick Newton recently met with TNC, USAID and the Bolivian Forest Superintendency to confirm details of the new strategy. Successful trials in pilot locations are expected to lead to a nationwide deployment. Helveta CIS™ applications are deployed worldwide with installations of TracElite™ in Indonesia, and CIEarth ™ in Central Africa.

TNC, USAID and the Bolivian government struggled to find a solution to Bolivia’s illegal logging issues, until Helveta and Intel presented a combination of new technologies using a mix of satellite communications, mobile wireless-enabled notebooks, servers, wireless handhelds, RFID tags and Helveta’s TracElite™ software, to form a tracking system that can provide ‘back to stump’ traceability for logs from any point in the supply chain. The system also detects illegal logs entering the supply chain. Intel is contributing through two of its business groups: Intel® Solution Services and Customer Planning and Logistics Group (CPLG).

The traceability solution will dramatically enhance Bolivia’s fight against illegal logging and build on the foundations of its sustainable forest practices, whilst increasing efficiency productivity, and revenues.

“Helveta had already implemented its track and trace software solution to help control illegal logging in Indonesia and other places,” said Peter Hage, Director of Resources, Technology and Information Systems for TNC. “We wanted to test their solution in Bolivia."

Scott Poynton, Executive Director of Tropical Forest Trust said: “This is a highly important step for Bolivia. TracElite’s ability to provide complete traceability and transparency will bring enormous benefits to the Bolivian timber market.”

Jim Kellso, CPLG Manager of Supply Chain Innovation and Pathfinding said: “With the help of Intel® Solution Services, we’ve designed a track and trace system using multiple technologies to deliver a traceability process that tracks the legal log trucks and mills involved in the pilot. Data will be stored in a central software solution Helveta developed. It’s an elegant design that may pay off in big ways for Bolivia”.

Patrick Newton commented: “Following successful deployments of TracElite™ and CIEarth™ in hardwood timber supply chains in other parts of the world, we knew that Helveta could make a significant difference to the forestry operations of Bolivia. We are happy to be a part of the team that will deliver both sustainability and business benefits to the market”.

About TracElite™
TracElite™ (http://www.tracelite.com/) provides mapping, traceability and transparency for timber production and supply chains across the globe and is a key resource for buyers looking to secure timber of verifiable origin from suppliers who are either FSC certified or who are working towards certification.

Helveta is the system manager of TracElite - Always On™. TracElite™ is an application of Helveta Control Intelligence Systems (CIS™) technology. CIS™ analyses forestry and chain of custody data to remotely verify and assure good wood compliance. In the event that a potential non-compliance is identified, TFT, stakeholders and auditors are automatically notified.

The Tropical Forest Trust provides chain of custody and compliance verification services as a core component of TracElite - Always On™.

About Helveta Ltd
Helveta Limited (www.helveta.com) enables the prediction and prevention of environmental and production problems for Blue Chip and Fortune 1000 companies through analysis of real-time data from client physical assets anywhere in the world. The company's unique Control Intelligence System deploys a sophisticated library of analytics to asset data to predict and prevent business issues such as regulatory non-compliance, production outages and equipment failure.

About Intel® Solution Services
Intel Solution Services is Intel Corporation's worldwide professional services organization, helping companies capitalize on the full value of Intel architecture through consulting focused on business transformation. Intel Solution Services’ consultants work with municipalities and enterprise companies to help give them the confidence to innovate by using their in-depth knowledge of Intel architecture and next-generation technologies to design cost-effective, cutting-edge solutions to the most complex business challenges. Combining architecture expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong industry alliances, Intel Solution Services can help organizations get the most out of its IT investments. For more information about Intel Solution Services, visit www.intel.com/go/intelsolutionservices, or contact us at www.intel.com/info/intelsolutionservices. To contact us by telephone, call toll free in the U.S. at 866-268-9812; Europe, Middle East and Africa at +49 89 9914 2706; Asia Pacific at +852 2844 4555 and Japan at +81 3 5208 5375.

About The Nature Conservancy
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is a leading international organization dedicated to preserving the diversity of life on Earth. The Nature Conservancy works to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Conservancy has developed a strategic, science-based planning process, called Conservation by Design, which assists in identifying the highest-priority landscapes and seascapes to protect for future generations.

About Tropical Forest Trust
The Tropical Forest Trust (TFT) is working to transform the international trade in tropical hardwood into an agent for forest conservation. The TFT was established with the specific purpose of fulfilling two prerequisites: (a) raised awareness of what forest certification involves and what its multiple advantages are, and (b) practical engagement in partnership with forest managers to help them progress step by step to FSC certification.

The TFT links the supply chain from producing members through supplying members - who manufacture and/or trade in wood products that are sold to buying members.

For further information please contact:Helen Hayward - t: +44 1235 838558 e: helen.hayward@helveta.com

Driving with Daisy - Timber Tracking in East Kalimantan

PT Daisy Timber first started using TracElite in 2005 in East Kalimantan. Mark Thornton visited the logging site in February 2006, and filed this report.

The Daisy site visit took place with the objective of getting user feedback for extending TracElite reporting, inspecting trees tagged ahead of the 2006 cutting season, and providing training for the next generation of TracElite handhelds.

Most natural forest operations are remote – but to get to Daisy’s East Kalimantan site requires a bit of a trek. From Jakarta, it’s a flight to Balikpapan in the southeast of Borneo, and from there it’s a short flight North to Berau (Tanjungredeb). To get to the Daisy logging camp requires an approximate 12 hour car journey to the coastal town of Biduk-Biduk. This road is poorly maintained (partially as a deterrent to illegal logging) and recent heavy rain had turned parts of the road into a muddy swamp. Having left Berau slightly later than planned, and barely 2° north of the equator, night fell quickly just 2 hours into the journey.

Heavy rains in January had caused a great deal of damage to the road – particularly the river and stream crosses - as we neared the coastal town of Biduk-biduk. Bridges that had been washed away had been hastily replaced by a combination of planks and logs thrown into the breach - a real test for our driver and his trusty Kijang (we learned later that most NGOs active in the region insist their personnel get out of their vehicles before crossing these DIY bridges). We arrived in the town, transferred to a Daisy company truck and arrived at the camp just after 3am.

We had two days scheduled at Daisy Camp – and day 1 was planned as a trip into the 2006 cutting area to view the TracElite tagging completed at the end of 2005.

We loaded up early the next morning, and set off on the 18km journey to Camp 18, where we were introduced to the local manager. The logging equipment was standing pristine and ready for when the Ministry of Forestry authorises the 2006 cut – expected in April.

We then headed out to one of the transects.

In my own mind – I assumed that a transect would be a fairly well-trodden path, but in a natural forest, with someone at the head of our group cutting back undergrowth with a machete, it’s easy to think you are in deep jungle.

This isn’t the case – the area we visited was a “second cut” region. That is, part of the forest that had already been harvested some years before. Second-cut areas have big implications for any concession operator – the resulting timber tends to be of a lower quality (essentially all the best trees were harvested in the first cut).

One of the benefits that Daisy gain from using the TracElite system include more rapid measurement and monitoring of quality – everything from species, to defect analysis, to the length of time logs take to reach customers. All of this information is recorded on handhelds in the field, synchronised with the TracElite server, and then available to senior managers as a series of reports across the web. This information will also be available to potential customers.

This double-sided aspect – traceability for regulatory requirements, improved monitoring for business improvement – is a key part of the TracElite ‘philosophy’. For Daisy, it makes the whole process of transparency, tracking and third-party auditing a much more positive experience, and provides tangible business benefits.

Out in the forest, we arrived at the 2006 compartment (RKT) in less than 30 minutes – we quickly spotted trees with the two-part TracElite tags. For those field workers who hadn’t used the new HRCs before, we quickly set to work having them scan the tags and enter the tree data.

The HRC is a ruggedised Windows Mobile device with an integrated barcode scanner – the tag is scanned and the tree data (commercial height, breast-height diameter, species, location) are entered through web-based forms in either English or Bahasa Indonesian. The CIMobile software running on the HRC currently comes in 6 languages (including an iconic version for non-literate users currently being used in Congo and Cameroon).

The HRC also connects to a GPS device – and this can be used to provide exact locations of trees, or transect points where forest canopy is particularly dense.

Data is recorded in one of more capture modes – these correspond to critical control points in the chain. Having already mapped and recorded these trees (along with surveying information) we had the Daisy Field Crew enter data in an audit mode which correlates previously entered data. Aside from being a useful check (potentially for triage work) it meant that the data set would not generate “non-compliance issues” caused by duplicate trees already recorded in the system once the data was synchronised with the central TracElite server (more on this below).

Halfway through the expedition - it started to rain very heavily indeed (a nice test of the ruggedness - but we got soaked to the skin).

TracElite works by allowing individual field workers and managers to record data from their specific point in the supply chain – or chain of custody – which they simply record and upload to the TracElite server. These data points are then used to build up a complete picture of the movement of timber – either between specific points within one operator (forest, log yard, log pond, etc.) or between different organisations (concession, port, mill, factory).

The Daisy log yard was empty – aside from some low-quality lumber being used to rebuild the log landing area.


We used the opportunity for some training on recording defects for analysis.

For Daisy, getting data back to TracElite involves a satellite phone to gain an Internet connection – there is no other option.

We used a portable BGAN connected to a laptop we brought to the camp to get the data back to the system (Daisy have their own satellite – but there is no office power during the day – but we did borrow the chairs from the office to provide the platform!), and then logged onto TracElite across the web to view the report and download the aggregated data.

The whole process took a little less than 5 minutes, including acquiring a good enough signal.

The daisy manager’s view after login – the left hand side shows current issues being investigated, the Daisy Chain of Custody, and generating the Data Summary for logs scaled at the Transit TPK (log yard).

Back to non-compliances – if we had entered the same tree data at the same control point, the system would have automatically detected a “duplicate tag” for this control point, and generated a non-compliance issue on the system (the red lights seen above).

Day two involved a team meeting and training session – this was a chance for everyone (from the camp manager down to the most junior field worker) to provide comments and feedback on their experiences of using the system to date.

As a result of the meeting, several changes to both the capture modes and the reports were made (TracElite allows changes to be made relatively quickly – change requests are submitted through the system, and these changes are automatically updated on the HRC during the next synchronization).

We left the camp in the evening of day two – ahead of us, another 12 hour trip to Berau airport (during which the vehicle left the road, and required all of us to push it out of a ditch – that’s a story for another blog entry however) then back to Jakarta, then onto Medan in Sumatra, the destination of some of the Daisy logs...

Thanks Mark for the invitation to join the TracElite Blog. I expect it will be a very useful tool.

Welcome to the TracElite blog

This blog provides reports, updates and progress on the deployment of TracElite in forests, plantations, timber factories and supply chains worldwide.

For those who may not know about TracElite, www.TracElite.com contains information about the tags and technology behind TracElite. It also tells you how you can view a demonstration of TracElite in action.

For those who don't know about TracElite, it was developed by UK-based technology company Helveta Ltd., in partnership with the Tropical Forest Trust to allow timber to be tagged, tracked and traced through the entire supply chain. All data that is captured through the handheld-based data capture hardware is checked for non-compliance issues - issues that may indicate activities that could jeopardise certification against global standards of sustainable and legal forest management.

TracElite has been deployed in forests and factories in Indonesia, Malaysia and Congo-Brazzaville, with more deployments coming online over the next few months.

This blog will provide front-line experiences of TracElite in use. We welcome comments and questions, and hope to provide public-domain information that will prove valuable to governments, forestry companies, NGOs and anyone engaged in helping to safeguard the future of timber as a sustainable resource.