FPSLink - MapInfo / Forest Projection System (FPS) Automation

The FPSLink program has been developed to provide an automated link between the MapInfo Geographic Information System software and the MS-Access based Forest Projection System (FPS), by Forest Biometrics, St. Regis, MT.  The primary goals of this link are to provide routines to assure data integrity and synchronization between the two systems as well as automate, simplify and standardize routine tasks (such as buffer creation).   In addition, routines are provided to assist with the planning, analysis and maintenance of timber harvest units, as well as options to reflect harvest activities and perform automated inventory depletions.  The software has been designed to easily fit into any existing GIS configuration.  A Program Settings routine is offered allowing users to initialize the FPSLink program with the specific data in use at your organization.

The FPSLink program provides 2 primary functions: Maintain Data Integrity, and Harvest Unit Processing.

Below is a brief summary of the functions of the FPSLink program.

FPSLink Functions:

Maintain Data Integrity -

The Maintain Data Integrity function performs a variety of tasks to assure data integrity and synchronization between MapInfo and FPS. The function presents the user with a list of options of the types of analysis and updates to perform. A process log file is maintained detailing the results of the selected operations.

The analysis operations performed by the Maintain Data Integrity include:

    · Evaluate MapInfo Timber Stands table with the FPS ADMIN table to assure all StandID's are accounted for.

    · Process / create road and stream buffers creating WaterBuf and RoadBuf MapInfo tables and checks all acre attributes for accuracy.

    · Check additional ADMIN Table attributes as desired for validity such as township, range, section, elevation, slope, aspect, soils, precipitation, etc.

    · When/if errors / discrepancies are found, provides notification and allows an option to automatically update FPS ADMIN table from data maintained GIS.

Harvest Unit Processing -

The Harvest Unit Processing option works from a user maintained "HarvestUnits" MapInfo Table, with a pre-defined table structure. The attributes of this table will define a report year and summarize timber volume data from the timber stands contained within each harvest unit. The Harvest Unit Processing functions provide the following options:

- "Refresh" Harvest units option which analyzes the Stands within each harvest unit and summarizes and proportionally updates attributes in the Harvest Unit Table, based on data maintained in the FPS Stand table for the report year.  Net acres are computed and based on the actual true position of the roads and water features.

- Provides an "Analyze" Harvest Units option which creates a browser report detailing specific, user selected attributes associated with each stand within each identified Harvest unit. This browser provides a detailed summary (and totals) of all stands within a harvest unit.  Allows for analysis of "Selected" units, all units for a report year, or from a user drawn temporary region layer.

- Provides an option to "Convert Harvest Units to Stand" based on a "Completed Date'. This option will create a new record in the FPS ADMIN table representing the new Stand, merge the Harvest Units into the MapInfo Stands table and proportionality adjust all affected stands in MapInfo and FPS. A summary report is provided at the conclusion of this operation.

The routines provided by the FPSLink program literally save days of processing time when compared to the procedures required to perform the year end depletions or when integrating newly acquired timberlands.  Further using the FPSLink process greatly reduces the chance for human error.   The flexibility offered for Harvest Unit planning is simple yet provides accurate results.

For additional information or a free consultation on how FPSLink may fit your organization, please contact Mr. Tony Cooley @ Data Directions (541) 345-4MAP, or email: Tony@DataDirections.biz.

Return to Data Directions - Timber.