Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to create a picture of Södra´s round wood transporters usage, and positive or negative experiences of the KOLA-system. The KOLA-system, owned and managed by SDC, is a program for handling timber orders and displaying their locations on digital maps. The study was conducted as a twenty-three question internet-based survey. Of those asked to complete the survey, 57 percent chose to answer the questions.
The results of the study indicated that several of the transporters found the system quite good and used it to a large extent. The system also had many deficiencies however, and there was clear potential for further increasing the usage of the system. The use of arrival notification could increase if more of the receiving sites were suitably equipped for this. The study resulted in some recommendations and important points that Södra should bring up together with SDC, as well as some suggestions for possible future studies. These issues included the concerns about current quality of some of the digital maps, the interest in upgrading the application to make it compatible with newer operating systems, as well some complaints regarding frequently re-appearing error-messages in the system. Södra should also offer additional education to the transporters concerning the practical usage of the system. Finally, it is recommended that Södra perform a work study to investigate the time required during the unloading process at the mills to make it possible to increase their efficiency.