FAQ

MADERA is a cloud-based software platform built for high-volume industrial manufacturing operations. The platform includes three products: Aspen (downtime tracking and analytics), Birch (root cause analysis and action planning), and Cedar (quality management — currently in beta). The products work both independently and together.

Manufacturing operations teams — operators, supervisors, reliability engineers, maintenance teams, plant managers, and corporate operations leadership — in high-volume industrial settings. Today we serve all types of operations, from medical device manufacturing, to forest products (sawmilling and pellet milling), to solar cell manufacturing.  MADERA fits any manufacturing operation where downtime, RCA, and quality variance are operational priorities.

Aspen connects directly to your facility’s PLCs, MES, and SQL databases — capturing downtime events automatically as machine status changes. Operators add reason codes through an intuitive touch-screen interface, but the timing data is machine-recorded, not operator-entered. This eliminates the memory gaps, bias, and time inflation that come with manual logging.

Aspen ships with a touch-screen interface for each machine center or production line where you want downtime captured. Our team configures the hardware to your specifications, drop-ships it to your facility ready to plug and play and supports the install remotely. PLC integration is handled separately as part of setup.

No, but Birch is significantly more powerful when paired with Aspen. With Aspen, downtime events automatically trigger RCAs in Birch based on criteria (duration, frequency) defined by each client, with the full event context (machine center, line, failure code, duration, shift, operator, etc.).

Without Aspen, RCAs are user-created. The workflow still works, but the data feed is manual.  Also, Birch is not limited to doing RCA’s and tracking Action Plans solely for downtime.  Birch can be used for any issue that should be fully understood to avoid it recurring (safety, quality control, customer complaints, employee retention, etc.).

Cedar is currently in beta with selected partners. General availability is planned for Q4 2026. If you’re a current MADERA customer and quality management is a priority, contact us about beta access.

No. Three of the first 4 modules included in Cedar are geared towards Sawmill operations including kiln drying, planer drill test, and grading accuracy. We also have quality audits, which is broad and configurable to most industries. More modules will come as we see a need and other industries require it.

MADERA modules are sold on a monthly subscription, scoped by company, based on the number of machine centers in a facility, and the number of facilities where MADERA is being deployed. There’s no per-user seat charge. Request a quote and we’ll provide a detailed proposal.

Yes. Aspen requires hardware at each site where you want to monitor downtime, and there’s a one-time setup fee that covers configuration, install, and training. Birch and Cedar do not require dedicated hardware. We’ll quote setup costs as part of any proposal.

Because Aspen is a hardware-software solution, there is an upfront cost that covers hardware, configuration, setup, and training. The final upfront cost will ultimately be determined by the number of tablets that will be deployed, and the hardware we require to integrate with the nuances of your mill’s network and equipment. Contact us to discuss pricing in your operations.

MADERA software is provided via a monthly subscription that will vary based on which modules are chosen, the size of the facility, and the number of facilities where the software is being used. Discounts are available for companies deploying MADERA across multiple mills.

Unfortunately, no. Because Aspen is a hardware-software solution, there is an upfront cost that covers hardware, configuration, setup, and training in order to have Aspen up and running.

Yes. Discounts are available for companies deploying MADERA across multiple mills. Additionally, a discount is offered to those companies paying their subscription up front annually, rather than monthly.

We know that once you begin using MADERA, you’re going to love it, and wonder how you ever managed without it. However, should you decide at any point that you need to cancel your subscription(s), you can do so at any point, with no penalties.

No. Because you are paying a subscription for each MADERA module, you will never face a bill for upgrades, enhancements, or new features on any module. As we refine, improve, and innovate, you will reap the benefits at no additional cost.

Onsite training during install covers all roles — operators, supervisors, reliability leads, and managers — with the software running on your real data. We follow up with online refresher videos for new staff and ongoing check-ins for the first 30 days after on-site training is complete. Most customers find their teams self-sufficient within the first month.

MADERA provides ongoing support to every customer as part of the subscription. Your primary contact is the same team that installed your system. We’re working on integrated ticketing, and until that launches, support requests can be submitted through your account manager.