Success Stories
D.R. Systems Inc. “Phoenix Pro”
City: Nanaimo
British Columbia Regional Science & Technology Network Council: Mid Island Science, Technology and Innovation Council
How do you manage 30 million hectares of forests in a day? You use a software application called Phoenix Pro.
British Columbia’s land base consists of roughly 95 million hectares, and around one-third of it is managed by Phoenix Pro, developed by Nanaimo-based D.R. Systems. This database program, built with extensive input from foresters in the field, is used in over 75 locations across B.C., making it the most widely used forest activity tracking system in the province.
And with good reason – Phoenix Pro not only works with GIS systems, but is also linked with the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range’s reporting and compliance systems. It is thus able to adapt to reporting and compliance requirements, which are in a constant state of flux due to the evolving role of forests. This, combined with other features including planning tools, data conversion capabilities, and the ability to operate in a variety of network environments, makes it clear that the 15 years of labour and $1.5 million in funding spent on this project were well spent.
Working with the Mid-Island Science and Technology Council and the Industrial Research Assistance Program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, D.R. Systems has developed a product that dramatically reduces the administrative and reporting burden borne by forest operators, while making sure forestry and silviculture operations comply with Forest Service standards.
Founded by Don Reimer in 1983, D.R. Systems brings to this project over 20 years of experience in forestry consulting, forestry software and hardware development, custom software design, and systems integration. The firm’s forestry consultants, GIS analysts and software developers in Nanaimo and Auburn, Washington, help clients to improve the profitability and sustainability of their woodlands.
Work on Phoenix Pro is ongoing as D.R. Systems staffs continue to adapt and develop the program in response to evolving client needs; for instance, the application has been adapted for use south of the border. It may also be applied to alternative natural-resource based operations throughout B.C. in the future.
Phoenix Pro makes investment in B.C.’s forest operations particularly attractive, as it allows new operators to manage Forest Service compliance requirements efficiently and effectively. Widespread adoption of the application also benefits the province’s decision-makers by ensuring accurate and efficient reporting, helping the Ministry of Forests and Range evaluate and respond to up-to-date data with effective policies and initiatives.
For more information, please visit http://www.drsystemsinc.com/prod_pprobc.html.
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