Mill Manager
Analysis, Management & Planning Platform In wood processing
Client
MiCROTEC S.p.A
Industry
Industrial Technology / Wood Processing Industry
Team size
5
Time frame
4 years
Technology used
The History of Partnership
MICROTEC & SERAPIONMICROTEC & SERAPION
MiCROTEC is the world's leading scanning and optimisation provider for the sawmilling and wood processing industry, setting standards in the field since 1980. Mill Manager is the central software tool within the MiCROTEC ecosystem which, together with the MiCROTEC Connect module, tracks every log and board through the entire production process. Within that ecosystem, Mill Manager takes on the role of the central management tool: consolidating data from all scanners and machines and giving management a unified view of the entire plant's operations.
The collaboration with Serapion began with improvements to the Web Statistics application, which displayed statistical data for individual machines. Over time, that engagement evolved into a long-term partnership in which Serapion actively contributed to the development of Mill Manager as an integrated, comprehensive, modular solution.
The collaboration with Serapion began with improvements to the Web Statistics application, which displayed statistical data for individual machines. Over time, that engagement evolved into a long-term partnership in which Serapion actively contributed to the development of Mill Manager as an integrated, comprehensive, modular solution.
The Vision
WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
MiCROTEC pursues a vision of the fully connected sawmill, where every log, every board, and every step of the process leaves a digital trace. Mill Manager is the software heart of that vision, a tool that turns data from various scanners, machines, and processes into insight that is genuinely actionable for the people running the mill.
The diversity of sawmills, from small family run operations to large industrial facilities, led MiCROTEC to seek a partner who shares their core vision: to shape the future of the wood processing industry and give every client a platform that adapts to their specific processes, rather than a fixed solution with no room for adaptation.
The diversity of sawmills, from small family run operations to large industrial facilities, led MiCROTEC to seek a partner who shares their core vision: to shape the future of the wood processing industry and give every client a platform that adapts to their specific processes, rather than a fixed solution with no room for adaptation.
The Challenge
UNTAGLING THE KNOT
The evolution of Mill Manager from a machine level statistics tool to an integrated sawmill management solution introduced new technical and business challenges. Since every sawmill operates differently, the platform needed to be powerful, flexible, and adaptable without imposing a single way of working.
Key challenges included:
- Advanced data analysis with flexible table and chart management.
- Reliable shift management that detects conflicts and adapts to client procedures.
- Customizable, role specific data views without a fixed dashboard structure.
- Guaranteed report delivery at defined intervals, even during server downtime.
- A new MiCROTEC Connect module adaptable in defining production steps and their settings
The Solution
HOW WE MADE IT WORK
Serapion's contribution to Mill Manager's development is focused on transforming the platform into a comprehensive solution that matches the complexity of real world sawmills. Rather than fixed templates, the platform is built to adapt, from how data is displayed and production processes are replicated, to how shifts are planned and reports delivered. Every feature was developed in close collaboration with the MiCROTEC team, with a constant focus on code quality and long term maintainability.
Data, Analytics and Quality
- Advanced table management with flexible formatting, filtering, grouping, and calculations.
- Automated report scheduling and delivery with automatic recovery in case of missed reports
- Automated visual testing of data rendering to identify issues and prevent regressions.
Planning, Management and Visualisation
- Reliable shift conflict detection across all levels, from entire plants to individual machines.
- Flexible shift planning adapted to client procedures, schedules, breaks, and working hours.
- Custom production workflows and user defined dashboards with flexible data views.
Mill Manager today is more than a data display tool — it is a platform that gives sawmills the real capability to understand, plan, and continuously improve their production.
The Value
IMPACT THAT MATTERS
Where previously there were isolated data views for individual machines, there is now an integrated solution giving sawmill management a comprehensive overview, from per-machine statistics to shift planning and automated reporting. Serapion's contribution has ensured the platform can keep pace with MiCROTEC's ambitions in the global market.
Benefits delivered:
- Evolution from a machine-level statistics tool to an integrated, modular Mill Manager platform
- Automated reporting with reliable data delivery under all conditions, eliminating manual work
- Advance customizable user interface with tables and dashboards highly adaptable to different needs within organization
- Reliable data visualisation ensured through an automated QA process
Skills That Stand Out
CORE STRENGTHS
Long-term Product Evolution
Sustained contribution to the development of a complex industrial platform through a multi-year partnership, with consistent code quality and adaptability to evolving requirements.
Advanced Data Analytics
Developing powerful data analysis and visualisation tools that give users deeper operational insight directly within the application, without the need for external tools.
Quality Assurance
Implementation of automated visual testing for reliable verification of data rendering across charts and tables — the core component of the platform where manual testing is not sufficient.
Collaborative Development
A long-term partnership with the MiCROTEC team built on open communication, shared decision-making, and mutual technical expertise across all stages of the project.