Information Technology for Foresters

It was hosted by YMS Group and Oracle, and focused on introducing the newest trends and technologies in specialised technical information systems for forestry. The workshop covered topics from electronic data collection and processing in the forest itself, through data processing by specialised forestry computer applications, to publishing information on the internet.

Oracle opened the workshop with a short presentation of its newest technologies supporting work with geospatial information. It was followed by a presentation by the state-owned body, Military Forests and Estates of Slovakia (MFES). MFES works with cutting-edge technologies of mobile data collection and processing in the forests and operates a complex electronic database of wood. Apart from that, MFES uses a number of specialised forestry applications. The application “Forest Management” enables work with dynamic information, while the applications “Moving Wood” and “Wood Transport” enable complex cost calculations. These systems work with active forest maps in GIS, as well as with direct localization of territory with GPS equipment.
Representatives of the National Forestry Centre introduced a complex Forest Management Information System, which is available through the internet. Forestportal.sk provides information about Slovak forests, forestry, and forest management, including maps in GIS systems to a variety of users.

Workshop participants used the opportunity to exchange experience and discuss opportunities presented to forest organizations by newest information technology. The workshop concluded with an informal social evening in the Myto Hotel.