Forest Products Accounting (FPA) has been in the forestry software business for 47 years. TRACT is a vertically integrated forestry ERP platform that launched as a modern SaaS alternative to legacy systems. If you’re comparing the two, the decision often comes down to one question: do you want a custom-built system maintained by consultants, or a standardized platform you control?

What FPA Offers

FPA combines consulting services with custom software development. They’ve built bespoke systems for forestry companies since the late 1970s, typically involving on-premise installations tailored to each client’s specific workflows. Their model is consulting-first: FPA analyzes your operations, then builds or configures software around your processes.

This approach has worked for decades. Many FPA clients have been with them for 20+ years.

What TRACT Offers

TRACT is a cloud-native SaaS platform serving a growing base of customers ranging from regional dealers to institutional timberland investors ranging from regional dealers to institutional timberland investors like INGKA Investments (IKEA), BTG Pactual, and Superior Pine. Rather than custom-building for each client, TRACT provides a standardized platform covering procurement, settlements, hauling, landowner management, and financial reporting.

Key Differences

Modern SaaS vs. Legacy Custom Builds

FPA’s custom software means every client runs a unique codebase. Updates, bug fixes, and new features must be applied individually. TRACT’s SaaS model means every customer runs on the same platform—updates ship to everyone simultaneously, and new features like AI ticket scanning are available immediately.

Implementation Speed

FPA implementations typically involve a consulting engagement followed by custom development—a process that can take months. TRACT’s standardized platform deploys in 2–4 weeks. According to a University of Georgia study, operations using integrated forestry software save an average of 43 hours per week ($62,000/year in labor costs), so faster deployment means faster time-to-value.

Total Cost of Ownership

Custom software carries hidden costs: consulting fees for changes, dedicated support contracts, upgrade projects, and infrastructure maintenance. FPA’s model bundles consulting with software, which means ongoing dependency on their team for modifications. TRACT’s subscription-based pricing includes updates, support, and infrastructure with no consulting dependency.

Consulting Dependency

With FPA, your software vendor is also your consultant. Need a workflow change? That’s a consulting engagement. Need a new report? That’s billable hours. TRACT is self-service by design—field apps, reporting, and configuration are managed by your team directly.

Cloud vs. On-Premise

FPA has historically deployed on-premise solutions. TRACT is cloud-native with no on-premise infrastructure required. This means automatic backups, anywhere access, and no server maintenance—critical for TIMOs and REITs managing geographically distributed timberland portfolios.

Where FPA Still Fits

If your operation has highly unique processes that genuinely cannot be standardized, FPA’s custom approach may be appropriate. Some companies with 30+ years of custom FPA software may find the switching cost significant. FPA’s longevity (47 years) also provides stability for risk-averse organizations.

TRACT vs FPA: Feature Comparison

The Bottom Line

FPA built its business in an era when custom software was the only option. Today, modern SaaS platforms like TRACT deliver more functionality at lower total cost with faster implementation. In the UGA study, 67% of forestry professionals said the benefits of technology exceeded their costs.

The question isn’t whether FPA has served the industry well—they have, for nearly five decades. The question is whether a consulting-dependent custom build is the right architecture for the next decade of your business.

Schedule a demo to see how TRACT compares to your current system.