Helveta is a young company that uses control intelligence systems for the timber production industry throughout the world. Patrick explains how Helveta can locate a tree growing in the forest and trace it at each stage of the supply chain using Internet protocol based technology. In doing this Helveta is minimising illegal logging and deforestation, a key driver of global warming, more effectively than any previous system has even attempted. Beneficiaries of their real time monitoring service are governments and businesses and, ultimately, the planet.

Helveta’s big challenges from the outset were:

• convincing a traditional industry that tended to mistrust technology that innovative systems would be robust and rigorous. International conditions on hardwood importation meant it was vital to show legality at each stage of the production process. The spot checking that had previously taken place was open to abuse that could trap an unknowing buyer
• security concerns in view of the vast amount of sensitive business and government data that the system generated
• protection of their brand in the Internet environment whilst maintaining high visibility
• marketing to mainly overseas markets in Latin America, SE Asia and Equatorial Africa where English was not understood.

Patrick describes enthusiastically how he is meeting these challenges with the help of Weboptimiser and their 'solid understanding and knowledge in delivering programmes 24/7'.