Silvacom FMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Silvacom FMS™ (Forest Management System) is a comprehensive, cloud-based SaaS geospatial forest management software platform designed by forestry professionals for forestry professionals. It enables companies to plan and execute end-to-end forest management operations, including harvest planning, road management, silviculture, and GIS mapping, all from a single, secure system. 

Silvacom FMS serves small to large forestry operations alike, including private companies, co-operatives, and government bodies. Clients include Weyerhaeuser, Mercer, Tolko Industries, the BC Ministry of Forests, and many others. 

Yes. Silvacom FMS is 100% cloud based. All you need is an internet connection, a computer, and your login credentials; no on-premises software, servers, or IT infrastructure required. 

Yes. As a cloud SaaS platform, updates are deployed automatically to all users; no manual patching or version upgrades are needed on your end. Your system is always up to date, leveraging the most up-to-date technology.

Yes. Silvacom FMS includes SAPPY, an integrated AI tool that serves as a forestry subject-matter expert, enhancing platform intelligence and automating forest management workflows. To learn more, contact the team or request a demo. 

Silvacom FMS covers the full forest management lifecycle through four main areas:

• Harvest Planning: block development, activity planning and tracking, harvest variance management, and more

• Road Management: development, permitting, management of structures, events, leveraging linear referencing and dynamic segmentation

• Silviculture Planning: automated silviculture prescriptions, activity costing, liability tracking, seedling management, and government submissions

• Mapping and GIS: georeferenced production maps powered by Esri technology

Also includes File Exchange (document management), and Data Management (data extract, Maps Online, Spatial Data Exchange). 

Yes. Built on the latest Esri geospatial technology (Esri Gold Partner), Silvacom FMS gives users full in-browser spatial editing, georeferenced map generation for purpose-built production maps, high-quality cartographic outputs, and geoprocessing, all within the application, with no dedicated GIS software or specialist required. 

Absolutely. Silvacom FMS is designed for both technical and non-technical users, offering an easy-to-use, intuitive web GIS interface. Maps Online further allows any user to generate professional production maps without needing GIS expertise, using pre-configured templates. 

Yes. Silvacom FMS connects with third-party applications using an Application Programming Interface (API). Integrations support mobile data collection, desktop GIS systems, Business Intelligence reporting, wood flow planning, and more. The Spatial Data Exchange module provides a check-in/check-out tool for exchanging spatial data between your desktop GIS and the FMS data warehouse.

Silvacom FMS is specifically engineered to streamline regulatory approvals, including British Columbia's Electronic Submission (ESF) framework, FTA (Forest Tenure Administration), RESULTS (silviculture), and Roads (RRS) submissions. Additionally, we support regulatory reporting in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The platform prepares and organizes required data more efficiently, expedites the government submission process, reduces administrative workload on your planning team, and minimizes errors. 

Silvacom FMS employs best-in-class data security practices, routine automated backups, and regular software updates, all managed by Silvacom, so your team never has to worry about in-house infrastructure failures or security vulnerabilities from outdated software. Your organization's data remains as is, with the cybersecurity burden falling on Silvacom FMS. 

Yes. Silvacom FMS is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, even a poor one. Remote staff can manage key data in real time, enabling distributed teams, including field-based personnel, to stay connected to the same centralized system. 

Yes. Silvacom FMS is compatible with existing third-party applications and supports mobile data collection via third-party app integration. The platform is designed to connect to your full business ecosystem, not operate in isolation. 

Silvacom FMS operates on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. These fees cover all software licensing, hosting, and maintenance costs, eliminating the need for large upfront capital investment in on-premises software and backing infrastructure. 

Silvacom FMS supports full in-house customization of user permissions and is designed to accommodate teams of various sizes. Contact Silvacom directly to discuss scaling options that match your organization's growth trajectory. 

Onboarding timelines vary based on your organization's size, data complexity, and business processes. Silvacom's customer support team, which includes both technical specialists and forestry professionals, works alongside your team during implementation to migrate data, configure user permissions, and tailor workflows to your specific operations. 

No. Silvacom FMS is fully cloud-based. All you need is an internet connection and a web browser. There is no in-house server infrastructure to maintain, no software to install locally, and no IT overhead for updates or patches. 

Silvacom FMS offers demo sessions for prospective clients. You can request a demo directly from the Silvacom FMS website to see the platform in action with a member of their team. Visit  the quote page to submit a quote request or contact the team directly by phone or email. A member of the Silvacom FMS team will provide a custom quote based on your organization's needs. 

Silvacom FMS provides access to a dedicated customer support team that includes both technical experts and forestry professionals. This dual expertise means support staff understands both the software and the real-world forestry workflows you're managing, not just ticket-based technical help. We offer tiered support packages tailored to your organization's needs. 

Yes. This is a distinguishing feature of Silvacom FMS. Our support team is comprised of 'technical gurus and forestry professionals,' meaning we can advise on best practices for your forest management workflows and on software functionality. 

Silvacom FMS customer support team is available to assist during business hours. Silvacom FMS includes 24/7 access to a Freshdesk help desk, allowing you to log a support ticket at any time. The Silvacom FMS Customer Support team's responsiveness and effectiveness are a core part of the Silvacom FMS value proposition.