Published in Holzkurier Issue 3 on January 15, 2026. Text and images by Jakob Wassermann and TimberTec.
In order to be able to take targeted countermeasures against rapidly rising costs and increasing competitive pressure, it must be clear where costs are incurred. It is equally important to identify which processes can be optimized. TimberTec responds to these requirements with an integrated service portfolio. Transparent cost structures in the TiCom ERP system are combined with smart logistics solutions. The offering is complemented by a mobile application for sales. This enables simple, increasingly AI-supported analysis of relevant customer data.
IT service provider Timbertec, based in Eutin, Germany, is responding to the changing economic conditions in the timber industry with its service portfolio. In addition to transparent cost structures and reliable calculation bases, operational processes along the entire value chain are increasingly coming into focus. By merging the logistics solutions of DataPolarna, which has been part of the TimberTec Group for around two years, ERP functions and operational processes are being more closely integrated. This means that data is generated directly where the work is done and can be used seamlessly for calculation, planning, sales, and analysis. With this comprehensive range of services, TimberTec has recently acquired new customers in Sweden, Spain, and Romania.
Smart logistics solutions
The SIPal and SILog logistics solutions are a particular focus. These are used directly at the sensitive interfaces of roundwood and sawn timber yards. As a package management system, SIPal supports the simple and fast recording of stock levels and package movements in real time. Stocks are clearly visualized, search times are reduced, and movements are documented without gaps. SILog is specially designed for the round timber yard. Logs are clearly identified and assigned to the correct stacks. This makes log assignment more transparent, avoids errors, and makes processes more efficient, according to TimberTec.
Joint projects in several European countries, where the combined solutions from TimberTec and DataPolarna are already in use, demonstrate that this approach also works internationally. The applications can therefore not only be efficiently integrated into existing processes, but also used across locations and countries.
and simple logistics processes.
Transparent cost structure
Against the backdrop of high cost pressure, transparent cost structures and reliable calculation bases are becoming increasingly important. This applies to all sectors, from sawmills to further processing and the timber trade. "In order to be able to take targeted countermeasures, it is crucial to know where costs actually arise and how they can be clearly allocated to individual products," says Stephan Lampe, TimberTec sales manager. To this end, the company uses package prices in the TiCom ERP system. All processing steps—from round timber purchasing, cutting, drying, planing, and sorting to packaging and further refinement—are mapped in terms of costs. By-products such as wood chips, shavings, or bark are also included in the calculation as revenue components.
"In the industry, cutting has traditionally been output-oriented. However, with rising roundwood costs, value-oriented processing is becoming increasingly relevant," explains project manager Robert Rother. The package prices provide complete cost transparency at all times and enable calculations based on real-time data. It is clearly visible what contribution margin is achieved and at what point in the processing cycle a sale makes economic sense. "Cutting patterns without positive revenue are now a thing of the past," adds Rother.
raw materials to machine and operating costs to
contribution margin
Intelligent data usage
TiCom Cube presents real ERP data from procurement, production, and sales in a structured manner. For evaluations, it is possible to combine information from different cubes. With Timbertec Analyst, the IT company is expanding this solution to include an AI-supported application. This will enable analyses to be carried out quickly and easily. Lampe reveals that TimberTec Analyst has already met with great interest in initial customer discussions. The user interface is based on familiar AI applications. Predefined queries can be stored for standardized questions and reproducible results.
"In sales in particular, the analyst is initially supported with customer-specific evaluations of sales volumes or price developments. However, we also see great potential for TimberTec Analyst in other areas of the company, such as purchasing or production planning," explains Lampe. A key advantage is that users do not need any special business intelligence or Excel expertise to obtain immediate analysis results. The web-based application is expected to be available from mid-2026.
and mobility. Evaluations, customer data, and key figures are available centrally, up-to-date, and location-independent
Mobile ERP system
With TiCom Connect, Timbertec offers an extension for field service. The application provides sales-related ERP data in a form optimized for mobile devices. This gives field service employees access to customer data, open items, orders, quotes, and sales figures while on the go.
An integrated map with location-based radius search displays visiting customers within a defined area, including their contact persons and relevant information. Visit reports can be sent directly to the office staff via TiCom Connect. Simply use a mobile device with a voice-to-text application. A new feature in TiCom Connect is the ability to set reporting deadlines. Inactive customers are thus automatically displayed and can be contacted by the sales force in a targeted manner.
"With TiCom Connect, we are providing our sales representatives with a modern sales tool that gives them an information advantage when preparing for customer appointments," summarizes Lampe.
