• Technologies Utilized
   
• Data and Information Management Systems
   
• Timber Cruising & Inventory
   
• GIS & Remote Sensing Services
   
• GIS Analytical Services
   
• Remote Sensing Services
   
• GIS Consulting Services

Technical and Data Services

Those who work with highly technical systems often place emphasis on software and hardware to process data. At American Forest Management (AFM), we believe that “peopleware” is a critical part of the information services triangle allowing raw data to become useful information. We seek to understand our customer’s needs to discover the best and most helpful information, so they can make the best possible decisions for their land.

The first step in any project of the Technical and Data Services Group is listening to the customer to understand their objectives, their time frame for achieving their objectives, and the factors influencing the budget for the project. We want to be able to partner with our clients so we can be flexible in responding to their needs as the project evolves and information is developed.

The central role of the Technical and Data Services Group is to use up-to-date technologies to organize and manage data and provide information models that utilize and transfer data to enhance decision processes and track the impact of those decisions over time. The Technical and Data Services Group has experience managing complex flows of data from field foresters, through the analysis process, to the client. We recognize that no matter how slick the software, or how high powered the computer system, technical services are only as good as the quality of the data and the interpretation of that data. For these reasons, we are constantly refining the process that moves the accumulation and input of data closer to the field.

Technologies utilized to enhance decision support include:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Organize, manage and access the multi-faceted data and spatial (mapping) information needed by land managers to make sound decisions
  
• Create various types of thematic maps for complex spatial analysis – boundaries, vegetation, soils, topography, and non-natural structures
  
• Produce multiple tract, state and regional maps to accurately determine tract locations, acreage and timber inventory characteristics
  
• Provide complete GIS services from digitizing hand-drawn property maps through the development of multi-layer GIS databases using a variety of spatial data sources
  
• Apply remote sensing capabilities including aerial photography, airborne video and satellite imagery
  
• Supply data to client in a wide variety of formats

Data and Information Management Systems (Cypress™)

• Manages data and provides clients with real time, web-based access to land management information – stand attributes, maps and reports
  
• Integrates data entry, data organization and management, and reporting
  
• Allows for specialized “bolt-on” applications which meet clients specific data management needs
  
• Provides clients with the ability to control data management functions from their own desktop computer
  
• Permits data entry over the web
  
• Provides a concise overview of the forest’s condition at any historical point in time and a succinct projection of a forest’s condition for a specific number of years
  
• Generates real-time reports that tract timberland values on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis
  
• Produces a composition of complete accounting record of all historical land management activities

At AFM, the forester does not stand alone. The various operating groups work together to provide the forester and the client with the information needed for forest management decisions.

Operating Group activities supported by Technical Services and Data Management Group include:

• Environmental Services
        Soil classification and mapping
        Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
• Forest and Land Management Group
        Forest Management Planning
        Forest Inventory Design and Analysis
        Growth and Yield Modeling
        Harvest Scheduling and Cash Flow Projections (Searcher™ - a proprietary software
            program which allows us to develop plans in an efficient, accurate, cost-effective
            manner
• Real Estate Group
        Information Systems
        Mapping
        Cash Flow Projections

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