Product manager Michael Aminoff is responsible for Log Yard Control and for making sure that the drivers' work in the log yard runs as smoothly as possible. What helps in the work is an interest in and a desire to solve customers' challenges with software.
Michael Aminoff's career path at Finnos began in April 2021. Since then time seems to have flown. Aminoff applied to Finnos because he reckoned his experience with map-based software would be an advantage. After all, he already had a bachelor's thesis on route optimisation in his pocket, which was related to the position he applied for.
A customer-facing role also felt natural. Even before his duties at Finnos, Michael had long experience at the customer interface, since during his studies he worked on developing websites for micro and small businesses.
Michael Aminoff coordinates the projects that have been launched. His specialist task is to install software on servers and establish the connections between the software systems. A large part of a product manager's work is demonstrating the product in the field together with sales, Aminoff says.
A lot of customer demos are done. Many of them turn into projects and customer relationships when a deal is made. It is important to visit a new site in person. That makes it easier to train the drivers and office staff. It is interesting to talk with customers and find out what they want.
Defining integrations and various rules is an important part of the work. One example is understanding how Log Yard Control should work at different sites. There are always details that are defined sawmill by sawmill.
The job description is varied. Going forward, projects for foreign customers are of interest, because they involve more customisation. Why is that? Although log yard management systems are not yet in use everywhere even in Finland, the process is nevertheless similar as far as sorting is concerned. In other countries there is more variation, Michael explains.
The work involves constant readiness for development. The product itself is sold as a service licence, and the service delivered by Finnos includes updates, which can be made along the way. Coding the updates is also part of Michael's work. As a basis for development work, he collects ideas and feedback from customers.
Michael Aminoff's core expertise is Log Yard Control. At the very start of his Finnos career, Aminoff got to productise a finished prototype whose main task is to make the drivers' work in the log yard easier.
Log Yard Control is a log yard management system that identifies, after scanning, which storage location a log should go to. In the program the driver can see where logs need to be fetched from and where they are to be taken. The software is real-time and based on GPS data. The idea is actually quite simple. The system monitors the actual situation in the log yard, and the work tasks are optimised on the basis of that information.
In the demo image, a heatmap shows the density of vehicle events and where the vehicle has moved during a given period.
Aminoff thinks for a moment. Then he settles on wishing that the customer would show interest in and commitment to the product and the project. The best results are achieved in cooperation with the customer.
As product manager, Michael wants to boldly encourage active development ideas from customers. That way both parties get more benefit from the joint undertaking.
There is plenty to praise, and Finnos is a good employer, Michael says. Initiative is rewarded. There is plenty of peace to concentrate on your own work. There is not a single unnecessary internal meeting.
The job description is varied too, and there is no time to get bored, Michael continues. It is nice to get to see different sawmills and different people. It feels good to own a product as a whole. Coding is meaningful, and in this job you get to do it.
And what kind of reputation does Finnos have among customers? That is very good too, Michael confirms. Recently at a trade fair in Sweden there was appreciative feedback about good service and projects being delivered as promised. Customers like the fact that Finnos does what is agreed.
As a moment of success, Aminoff mentions the challenging installation package in Metsä Fibre's large Rauma sawmill project. The project was big and involved a lot of testing in vehicles. Everything went fine, though, and now it is there in production, Michael smiles. That always feels good!
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