Ida Linstedt – ForestX

ForestX Launches Forest data platform –Future-Proof Integration with VIOL3

Forest Data Platform / 13 June 2025

ForestX proudly presents the Forest data platform – a powerful, standalone tool designed to manage and streamline the flow of information between any business system and VIOL3.

The transition to VIOL3 brings new demands on digital infrastructure and integration. Forest data platform has been developed by ForestX specifically for this purpose – with full focus on Swedish conditions and user needs.

– The platform simplifies, automates, and ensures the quality of the integration with VIOL3. Our customers can focus on using VIOL3 data instead of wondering why the integration isn’t working, says Jonas Erlandsson, Business developer at ForestX.

A platform built for the future
Forest data platform is cloud-based, independent, and can be integrated with any business system. This makes it a flexible solution for companies throughout the green sector – regardless of size or technical setup.

– Forest data platform supports any company doing business in VIOL3 but whose systems aren’t currently integrated with it. Many smaller forestry companies, energy providers, transport firms, and contractors could gain significant value from Forest data platform, explains Jonas Erlandsson.

– With Forest data platform, the connection to VIOL3 is taken care of, allowing you to focus on the data you need to manage from VIOL3 – not the integration itself.

Three reasons to choose Forest data platform:

Independent:Integrates with any business system.
Tailored for Sweden, built to last:Developed specifically for Swedish conditions by ForestX, which also handles ongoing development and support.
Efficiency:Simplifies, automates, and secures the VIOL3 integration – saving time and ensuring smooth information flow.

Forest data platform is the result of ForestX’s deep industry expertise and close collaboration with stakeholders in the forestry sector. The platform is built not only for today’s needs – but also for the demands of tomorrow.

Want to learn more? Contact Jonas Erlandsson.

This is VIOL3

VIOL3 is a standardized digital message format used in the Swedish forestry sector, developed by Biometria. It facilitates electronic communication between forest companies, sawmills, and other stakeholders. The VIOL3 format supports the exchange of data related to timber trade, such as delivery notifications, measurements, settlements, and contract information. By using VIOL3, organizations can ensure more efficient, accurate, and secure data handling throughout the wood supply chain. It helps reduce manual work, minimize errors, and improve traceability in forestry operations.

The team behind Forest data platform:

Jonas Erlandsson
Linus Nestorsson
Oscar Johansson
Andreas Fagerberg
Vishal Bhat
Viswatej Parupudi

ForestX Launches Forest data platform –Future-Proof Integration with VIOL3 Read More »

Theo Bohlin to ForestX: I get to take the work to other levels

Career / 13 June 2025

Växjö

From trainee to permanent job. Theo Bohlin is the new business developer at the office in Växjö.

Theo Bohlin came to ForestX in the fall of 2023 as an intern during his studies at Linnaeus University.

Since then, he has worked in the support that ForestX provides for users of CFHarvest.

– There I have gained a lot of experience and gained an understanding of how the systems work in practice with the users, says Theo Bohlin.

Now he has finished his studies at the program “Digital Business Development” and goes directly into the role of business developer at ForestX.

– Now I get to take the work to other levels and be involved in communication with customers and partner companies,

The colleagues at the Växjö office are of course familiar from before and are a great support.

– Everyone is so open and willing to share their knowledge. There is a strong will to make me understand the industry better and faster. It’s a very good transfer of skills, and it’s easy to get in touch with everyone in the company when I need it.

– It’s also great to see how alert everyone is, and what a pace it is. It is also clear what value we deliver. It will be fun and exciting to be part of it!

Theo Bohlin to ForestX: I get to take the work to other levels Read More »

Setra – Future-Proofing Order and Freight Management

Career, Setra / 26 May 2025

Background

Setra is a Swedish wood industry company that processes and sells wood products, specializing in sawn and refined timber. With a global export reach, Setra is a key player in Sweden’s forestry sector.

ForestX has a long-standing partnership with Setra, providing continuous system management along with individual IT and digitalization projects.

Opportunity

Setra sought to modernize and future-proof its order management and freight calculation systems. The goal was to save time by streamlining workflows with a modern user interface, improving efficiency and usability.

Solution

ForestX developed and implemented new order and freight management functionalities within Setra’s existing system. These solutions were tailored to meet current business needs while being technically robust for future adaptations.

Key enhancements included:

Expanded functionality, including a more efficient search feature, seamless linking, and faster access to documents.
Customization to align with Setra’s operational requirements.
Improved technical stability to support future changes.

Malise Johansson

Customer Service Setra

“We can now create customized reports for customers, such as delivery schedules and summaries of loading orders. We also have greater flexibility to adapt the system to changing needs. The system is more efficient, more flexible, and makes our work easier.”

Approach

The order management and freight calculation components of the ERP system have been migrated to a modern, web-based platform by ForestX.

The focus has been on adapting the application to meet current business needs and processes while minimize risk while ensuring maximum performance, long-term stability and maintainability. A key objective has been to build a highly flexible solution that can easily evolve alongside the business, supporting future requirements as they emerge.

Setra’s new ERP platform is built using Angular and Material Design, providing a scalable and user-friendly foundation for ongoing development.

Karin Gröndahl
Project manager ForestX

“Managing orders and freight is essential to the business, so replacing the system that supports these processes has naturally been a highly complex project. The end result and seeing how what we’ve built at ForestX can make such a significant impact, is incredibly rewarding. This is what drives me – solving problems and making things work.”

Results

The project delivered significant improvements, ensuring a scalable and efficient system for the future:

Adaptable and flexible technology
Increased operational reliability
Time savings through streamlined workflows
Higher data quality
Modern and user-friendly interface
System support for various transport setups
Prepared to use Azure cloud for all managed services

About Setra

Setra is one of Sweden’s largest wood industry companies. The company processes raw forest materials into sawn timber, glulam, components, and cross-laminated timber (CLT), at its eight production units across Sweden. Setra has approximately 800 employees and an annual turnover of around SEK 4 billion, with exports accounting for about 70% of sales to markets in Europe, the USA, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

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ForestX Expands: Allan Flink joins as partner with focus on Optinex in Finland and the Baltics

Optinex / 19 May 2025

ForestX continues to grow. With a strategic base in forestry-driven Finland, Allan Flink joins ForestX as a partner.

Allan Flink brings extensive experience from the forestry and bio-industries, having worked across Scandinavia, Europe, and the United States.

In his role at ForestX, Allan Flink will primarily focus on the planning and optimization tool Optinex. Optinex is already used by well-known European players such as Rubner, Pfeifer, and Mayr-Melnhof. In addition, a couple of major Swedish sawmill industries are currently evaluating Optinex.

– We’re already seeing the profitability that Optinex can deliver and how it enables simulation of various financial scenarios. Optinex offers great opportunities for companies, and I’m convinced that it’s the right way forward for sawmills and wood processing industries, says Allan Flink.

– We’re already in contact with interested companies in Finland and the Baltics. I look forward to continuing those conversations, as well as meeting others at LIGNA soon.

The need for digital tools and the accompanying change management is significant throughout the forestry and wood industries.

– We live in turbulent times and must be able to quickly navigate, for example, changes in raw material availability or shifts in market demand, says Allan Flink.

Although the focus is on Optinex, ForestX’s full portfolio of expertise is available to these new markets. ForestX also offers consulting services covering the entire forestry value chain.

Over the years, Allan Flink and the team at ForestX have crossed paths many times.

– We go way back – we know each other, we know the industry, and we trust each other.

The ForestX management sees great opportunities in the cooperation with Allan Flink;

– We are pleased that Allan wants to join us as a ForestX partner. Through our previous long relationship between us, we know the knowledge and capacity that Allan possesses. Through Allan we get a strong partner that increases our presence in Finland and the Baltics for new Optinex customers, says Carl Barck, CEO and co-founder of ForestX.

ForestX Expands: Allan Flink joins as partner with focus on Optinex in Finland and the Baltics Read More »

ForestX and danish company Dalgas in collaboration on unique measurement products

AI, Dalgas, Partners / 13 May 2025

Gothenburg / Viborg
Quickly scan timber piles and get reliable information easily compiled. The LogStack products from Dalgas are now part of ForestX’s digital product portfolio.

ForestX and Danish company Dalgas have entered into a cooperation agreement regarding the products LogStackPRO and LogStackLIDAR. Both products share user-friendly and high-quality timber measurement capabilities.

– This collaboration strengthens our product portfolio. These are two products that create real added value for customers and already hold a strong market position, says Christer Lindqvist, Marketing Director at ForestX.

The products perform timber measurements up to six times faster compared to manual methods. The margin of error is under three percent, and the precise measurements are displayed instantly.

– The market demands high-quality measurement of raw wood, and that is exactly what we focus on delivering from LogSystems. We ensure a market-compliant measurement that guarantees high transparency in the raw wood trade, says Jens Fuglsang Røge, Business Manager, Dalgas.

LogStack products are currently used in Denmark, Germany, Hungary and Poland. More than 2,5 million cubic meters of timber are measured annually with these products—a number that continues to grow.

– We are already working with well-known players in the European sawmill industry. This partnership is another step in strengthening our position in the digitization of the forestry and wood industries in Europe, says Christer Lindqvist.

Read about how LogStackLIDAR is used by the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

Dalgas is owned by the Danish Hedeselskabet and underwent a name and organizational change in 2024. ForestX has had a long-standing collaboration with the unit formerly known as HedeDanmark.

– The collaboration with ForestX on LogStackPRO and LogStackLIDAR strengthens our ability to deliver accurate and reliable measurements, creating added value for our customers and supporting the digitization of the forest and wood industry in Europe, Jens Fuglsang Røge says.

Both parties see great advantages in the collaboration; ForestX will market the products in its operational markets, and Dalgas can utilize ForestX’s services for their customers and projects.

Fact Box

LogStackPRO

LogStackLIDAR

Dalgas

LogStackPRO

LogStackLIDAR

Dalgas

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Gustav Claesson, ForestX: “Challenges aren’t always due to the IT system”

Career, Workshop / 25 April 2025

Gustav Claesson is the consultant at ForestX who prefers not to talk too much about IT. His driving force lies in project management, process mapping, and needs analysis.

Gustav Claesson is a trained forester and has previously worked in business development, marketing, and sales. For the past year and a half, he has been working at ForestX as a consultant.

– There’s a lot of momentum at ForestX right now, things are happening, and we’re moving forward, he explains his choice of employer, and continues:

– At ForestX, I can work as a consultant while still being part of a team. I didn’t want to work completely on my own—I’m a social person.”

Breadth with a European Perspective

He sees several advantages in working as a consultant with some of Sweden’s and Europe’s leading forestry and sawmill companies.

– You get to learn from different companies, and that provides many valuable perspectives.

Currently, Gustav Claesson is project manager for a part of the larger initiative that ForestX is undertaking together with Holmen Skog. Alongside his colleague Johan Hedlund, he is working on process mapping and needs analysis to create a strategically anchored foundation for Holmen to identify the next steps in their development work.

Understanding the current state and needs before discussing IT solutions

This is exactly the area Gustav prefers to work in—needs analysis and process mapping, looking at both the current state and the future—essentially before the word “IT solution” is even mentioned.

– By identifying the customer’s current state, we capture the challenges they face today. And those challenges aren’t necessarily due to the IT system. They could be about workflows, routines, or something else entirely.

– It’s also important to build trust for the future changes these types of projects lead to. That means really listening to what the organization thinks. It’s also vital to identify good practices that could be scaled up across the organization.

There are many aspects of this phase of the process that Gustav appreciates:

– I get to talk to a lot of different people. Through interviews and meetings, I hear different perspectives. Mapping processes, which I’m doing a lot of in my current project, can be difficult. But I find it very rewarding to succeed in creating simple and understandable documentation out of complex, parallel processes.

The work also involves a great deal of creativity—translating needs and moving from the current state to the desired future state. That part usually includes fun and challenging workshops.

Dynamic collaboration benefits the customer

Another important part of ForestX’s work is the collaboration between colleagues and the dynamic that comes from it. In Gustav’s case, it’s his partnership with colleague Johan Hedlund.

– Together, we form a dynamic team. Johan brings creativity, a challenging approach, and deep industry and IT knowledge. I contribute more structured qualities in project management and documentation. Together, it’s a strong concept that benefits the customer.

– This is a concept we’re confident we can further develop and apply with more clients.

Gustav Claesson’s current project will be completed in the spring.

– After this, Europe might be next for me. My colleague Torben Hansen in Hamburg and I are discussing potential joint projects in Germany.

Fact Box: Atlas
ForestX is now two years into its collaboration with Holmen Skog. The project, named Atlas, is extensive and touches on many core processes.

Holmen is one of Sweden’s largest forest owners. The business area Holmen Skog is responsible for managing and developing the group’s land holdings, which total approximately 1.3 million hectares.

Holmen Skog is the first in Sweden and Scandinavia to choose Trimble Forestry’s Connected Forest suite as a comprehensive forestry business system. The decision to implement Connected Forest is rooted in Holmen’s strategic aim to work in a more data-driven way.

Gustav Claesson, ForestX: “Challenges aren’t always due to the IT system” Read More »

Swedish-Indian collaboration in focus at ForestX India

ForestX India / 12 March 2025

In March 2025 ForestX India in Pune had the honor of welcoming the Consul General of Sweden, Sven Östberg and Senior Advisor Saloni Zaveri-Ahluwalia to our office in Pune.

The visit is a testament to the strong and growing partnership between Sweden and India in sustainability and digital innovation.

As part of the visit, we had a digital meeting with ForestX CEO and founder, Carl Barck, who shared insights about ForestX’s operations in Europe and our mission to drive digital transformation in forestry.

At ForestX, we work every day to combine Swedish forestry expertise with Indian technological excellence to create smart, sustainable solutions for the forestry industry.

We look forward to continued collaboration between our countries to drive innovation and sustainability in forestry.

Swedish-Indian collaboration in focus at ForestX India Read More »

ForestX in NTT Woodnet

Exhibition / 4 March 2025

NTT Woodnet magazine highlights ForestX and our efforts to bring Optinex to Europe.

– Optinex is about providing companies with decision support for operational planning in a single platform solution, instead of a number of different Excel sheets. When we leave the companies, all their Excel sheets are replaced, says Carl Barck, CEO of ForestX.

In May, ForestX will participate in the large wood fair in Hannover, LIGNA.

– This will be our first visit to the fair and part of our focus on the German-speaking market, says Christer Lindqvist, Marketing Manager ForestX in the article.

Read the full article here (In Swedish).

ForestX in NTT Woodnet Read More »

Mikael Zachrisson joins ForestX: “The focused perspective on forestry and IT is interesting”

Career, Gothenburg, Sweden / 31 January 2025

Gothenburg

Since the turn of the year, Mikael Zachrisson has been the new consulting manager at ForestX.
– The company has a clear vision. It’s not just talk; things actually happen, says Mikael Zachrisson.

As a newly graduated forester in the 1990s, Mikael Zachrisson immediately began working with the emerging technologies of the time, such as early digital maps. He has continued that path ever since, working at the intersection of forestry and IT. Over the years, he has been employed by companies such as VMData, Skogssällskapet – where he served as both timber manager and CEO – and TietoEvry.

Now, Mikael Zachrisson will lead ForestX’s business developers and project managers. His responsibilities include supporting and developing the team’s work, recruiting new employees, and contributing to ongoing projects.
– I really enjoy following a project from start to finish—being involved early to capture customer value and then seeing how our work benefits them and leads to an efficient process, says Mikael Zachrisson.

ForestX: Right for the times

He is also joining the management team, where he will collaborate with other executives on the business development of ForestX.

– ForestX is spot on for the industry right now. We work very close to operations, focusing on forestry, IT, and the processes I am passionate about and have worked with extensively.

– The company also has a clear vision. It’s not just talk; things actually happen. ForestX delivers tangible benefits to the forestry sector, and that’s what I want to contribute to. It’s both exciting and important.

Challenges and future issues

He sees that the forestry industry is currently facing major challenges, with raw material availability becoming an increasingly critical issue.
– The entire industry is competing for raw materials. Politics, the EU, and public opinion also play a big role and impose demands.

How the industry plans for and manages future challenges will be crucial:
– There will be greater demands for data collection and reporting. We need to have a more detailed understanding of what is in the forest already at the planning stage and how the industry can optimize resource utilization. There will also be increased requirements to document and report all of this.

He sees digitalization as a key enabler but emphasizes the need for a strategic approach and deep knowledge of forestry and industry-specific issues.

– What benefits do our efforts provide, and what is the quality of the underlying data? We also need to be able to assess the value of what we do.

Fact box:

Name:
Mikael Zachrisson

Title:
Consulting Manager (and Business Consultant)

Favorite tree:
Beech – such a beautiful tree from sapling to fully grown. An old oak is impressive, but honestly quite ugly when young.

Best nature experience:
Having a cup of coffee on some challenging mountain peak in Sarek, together with a like-minded adventurer.

Most-used apps:
Omni News, Instagram, Camera

Three bookmarks in my browser:
Unfortunately, nothing more exciting than a bunch of work-related bookmarks.

Mikael Zachrisson joins ForestX: “The focused perspective on forestry and IT is interesting” Read More »

This is work at ForestX: Mentorship, flexibility, and international connections

Career / 31 January 2025

Gothenburg
From zero to nearly 60 coworkers in six years. Here’s how ForestX ensures everything runs smoothly for both new and existing coworkers.

In a growing company, there’s always someone who is new to the job. Magnus Lundblad, a member of ForestX’s management team, is involved in many of the company’s recruitments.
– When you join us, you get a mentor — someone more senior who works in a similar field to what you will be doing. You don’t necessarily have to work on the same project, but there should be someone you can turn to for guidance, he explains.

On the technical side, new programmers are often paired with a senior architect as a mentor.
– Many who start as programmers might aim to become architects. In those cases, we try to find a good match.

– We believe that having strong support, a good mentor, and an engaged team leader makes it a fun and effective way to integrate into the company. You quickly get into the job, contribute, and become productive right away.

Once the initial period is over, the focus remains on professional development.
– My impression is that most of our employees feel they are in a good place with their current assignments. We continuously check in with our employees to understand how they want to develop. We are still a relatively small company — no one disappears here, says Magnus.

Other skills, beyond the obvious, can also be valuable in a job at ForestX.
– For example, if you speak German and want to use the language at work, there are plenty of opportunities with our projects in Germany and Austria.

International connections are a major part of ForestX.

– We have partners in Finland and Canada, as well as ForestX colleagues in India. Our projects in Europe often span multiple countries.

ForestX currently has offices in Gothenburg, Växjö, Falun, and Uppsala in Sweden. And the offices are meant to be used, says Magnus Lundblad:
– The office should be such a great place that people want to be there. But of course, we offer a high degree of flexibility — everyone takes full responsibility for their own tasks. Still, having colleagues nearby is important, especially when you’re new.

This is work at ForestX: Mentorship, flexibility, and international connections Read More »