SIMFOR requires input data from a harvesting scheduler to project the effects of alternate harvesting scenarios on landscape elements and habitat suitability. One such scheduler is ATLAS, a spatially explicit harvest simulation tool developed by Dr. John Nelson at the University of British Columbia. Designed to schedule timber harvests according to a range of spatial and temporal objectives, ATLAS models wood supply, wood costs and road costs based on management practices such as adjacency and seral stage maintenance guidelines. While SIMFOR and ATLAS are complimentary programs, SIMFOR will accept data from any harvest scheduler provided output is configured in the correct format. In addition, SIMFOR can incorporate natural disturbance events where a scheduler can provide the appropriate data.

For further information on the ATLAS project, please refer to the Atlas-Simfor Project site.