Blockchain
In the supply chain area, real world blockchain applications are already demonstrating new levels of transparency, efficiency and opportunity. Across the healthcare industry, companies are improving patient care by enabling their ecosystem with blockchain to ensure trust, data provenance and efficiency. And from boardrooms to kitchens around the world, the pent-up demand for a smarter, safer food supply chain is already driving companies to focus on blockchain applications that drive digital transformations that connect participants across the food supply through a permissioned, permanent and shared record.
Learn more about how IBM is transforming industries using blockchain
Here are three examples of how blockchain is already being used to reinvent industries.
Blockchain applications for the supply chain industry
“To establish the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia) as one of the world’s premier logistics hub we needed to create a paradigm shift in the way we handle our shipping processes and explore futuristic approaches with our peer-to-peer business ecosystem worldwide.” — H.E. Mr. Ahmed Al-Hakbani, Governor of Saudi Customs.
Data lives at the heart of all supply chains, but it’s not always visible, available or trusted. This matters more than ever as today’s consumers seek out brands that can guarantee product authenticity while supply chain partners demand responsible sourcing and better visibility to minimize disputes. Forward thinking leaders are already learning about blockchain applications in their industry that help them share trusted data with supply chain participants.
In 2019, the first TradeLens pilot project in the Middle East highlighted the capabilities of blockchain technology as an alternative to the traditional paper document flows in international trade when Saudi Customs approved their first blockchain shipment to Rotterdam. The pilot replicated digital documents across multiple supply chain participants with the goal of identifying improvements to the import and export processes.
This blockchain application kept track of a shipping container gated in Dammam Terminal on March 27, 2019. The invoice and packing list were uploaded by the customer to the TradeLens platform. It was done with the customer’s export customs broker using data within the documents to submit an export declaration to Saudi Customs. The shipment’s information was then accessed and used by Saudi Customs to register the clearance.
The container was then loaded and shipped in the Port of Tangier and went to the Port of Rotterdam, where Dutch Port Community System Portbase provided the Dutch customs release messages and gate-out information directly to the TradeLens platform after which, it went through to its final destination.
Blockchain applications for the healthcare industry
“One of the main problems the clinicians, scientists and researchers studying the data behind the (Covid-19) crisis say they are facing as they try to map and contain the crisis, is lack of integration of verified data sources that can be used with confidence. While there are lots of reputable sources researchers can turn to like the figures from the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, and others, much of the data being communicated among hospitals and government agencies or public/private partnerships is inconsistent, or it can’t easily be shared.” — Gari Singh, CTO, IBM Blockchain and Jonathan Levi, CEO, HACERA and The Unbounded Network.
Blockchain will transform healthcare enterprises and increase quality of care by enabling digital transformation. Healthcare information stored on a blockchain can change the way you store clinical information as well as how you share information within your organization, with healthcare partners, payers and with patients. Blockchain applications decentralize healthcare information, but to see its advantages, it also requires careful planning to make the most of the technology.
One of the most relevant blockchain applications during the current Covid-19 outbreak is MiPasa, a global-scale control and communication system that enables a swift and more precise early detection of COVID-19 carriers and infection hotspots through seamless and fully private information-sharing between individuals, state authorities and health institutions such as hospitals and HMOs, utilizing advanced technological tools and a dedicated user application.
MiPasa sources its information from the World Health Organization, The Center of Disease Control and other similar agencies and then utilizes data analytics and privacy tools for the public health analysis of the outbreak. Interested and qualified researchers, data providers, developers or anyone else interested in collaborating can learn more at MiPasa.org.
Blockchain applications for the food industry
“According to research by the environmental advocacy group Oceana, as many as one in five of the fish samples tested were mislabeled. The troubling implication of that finding is that if you’ve eaten seafood 10 times this summer, as many as two of your meals were not what you thought they were.” — Dan McQuade, VP, Marketing, Raw Seafoods, Inc.
Some blockchain networks, such as Bitcoin, are open to all and anonymous. Anyone can join and see any transaction that happens on those networks. These networks typically require resource-intensive computations to help prevent fraudulent transactions.
Blockchain applications for the food supply chain, on the other hand, can be permissioned so invited members know exactly with whom they are transacting, similar to what happens between business partners today. Participants also determine what data is seen by whom, thereby providing information on a need-to-know basis. Smart contracts also run on our blockchain, allowing business logic to help solve disputes, automatically execute contracts, and build trust.
In October of 2019, a fleet of New Bedford, Massachusetts-based scallopers began uploading data about their catch onto the IBM Food Trust platform, enabling distributors and retailers to identify exactly when and where a given lot of scallops was harvested. The technology addresses the issue that few consumers know where their seafood actually comes from. And from a sustainability standpoint, the data gathered and stored on blockchain can help fishing boats source more strategically, providing boat owners a direct connection to the “last mile” in the distribution channels.
Working with Raw Seafoods, there are plans for a consumer-facing application connected directly to the Food Trust platform, which will allow consumers to access information about their scallops directly from the menu or point of sale in the retail locations by scanning a QR code.
Innovators everywhere are transforming their businesses with blockchain technology, from the goods you buy, to your healthcare experience to the food you eat, each blockchain application is a step towards entire industries being transformed with this shared record of truth.
Industry Platforms at Think 2020
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On demand sessions
- Session 2199: Wunderman Thompson uses IBM AutoAI to Identify New Prospects and Gain Deeper Human Insight at Scale: The speakers are Wendy Wang, Data Scientist, IBM, David Bartram-Shaw, Head of Data Science, WUNDERMAN THOMPSON DATA, Greg Filla, Offering Manager, IBM, Yin Chen, Offering Manager, Watson Studio AutoAI and Deep Learning, IBM
- Session 3104: Expertise on Call: How watsonx Assistant is Putting Information at Customers and Agents’ Fingertips. The speakers are Sara Hines, Director, Provider Experience and Connectivity, Provider Process and Services, HUMANA INC, Michael Meyer, Chief Risk and Innovation Officer, MRS BPO, LLC, Lakisha Hall, Director, Transformation and Strategy, Financial Services Sector, Industry Platforms, IBM, Yuval Saban, IBM
- Session 3128: Why infrastructure matters for successful SAP HANA deployments. The speaker is Vicente Moranta, Vice President, Offering Management, IBM
- Session 3289: Minimize Hybrid Cloud Risk through Automated Resiliency. The speakers are Andrea Sayles, GM, Business Resiliency Services, Infrastructure Services, GTS, IBM and Katsutoshi Kitagawa, Manager, Nissay Information Technology
- Session 3571: Secrets to Success: Deploying an Expert Assistant based on IBM Watson AI and Kubernetes for Workday. The speakers are Bryan Daniel, Senior Cloud Solutions Architect, Global Cloud Acceleration Team, IBM and Frank Chang, Senior Software Applications Engineer, WORKDAY, INC.
- Session 4139: Mobility Trends in a Hyper-Connected World. The speakers are Nick Dawson, Principal Professional B2B Product Management Group Samsung Electronics and Mitt Sharma, Offering Manager, IBM
- Session 4885: How Humana Revamped the Provider Services Experience with IBM watsonx Assistant for Voice Interaction. The speakers are Andrew Freed, Senior Technical Staff Member, IBM and Sara Hines, Director, Provider Experience and Connectivity, Provider Process and Services, HUMANA INC
- Session 5199: IBM Visual Inspector: AI and Computer Vision on iOS and iPadOS. The speakers are Scott Soutter, Portfolio Offering Manager, IBM and Paul Giani, VP and Global Leader, Apple Partnership, IBM
- Session 6123: End-to-End Data Science and Machine Learning for Telcos: Telstra’s Use Case. The speakers are Animesh Singh, Chief Architect and Program Director, Data and AI Platform, IBM and Tim Osborne, Team Manager, Data Science (Networks), TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED
- Session 6270: IBM Cloud Power Systems Virtual Servers for SAP-Peak Performance, Cloud prices and Options. The speakers are Bradley Knapp, Offering Leader, IBM and Michael Daubman, Offering Leader, Enterprise Infrastructure Services, IBM
- Session 6276: IBM Cloud for SAP – Features, benefits, roadmap and the 2027 deadline to move to SAP HANA. The speaker is Bradley Knapp, Offering Leader, IBM
- Session 6471: How Cognitive Contact Centers Are an Enterprise’s First. The speaker is Bob McDonald, VP, IBM Support Transformation, Training and Globalization
- Session 6877: Smart Solutions for Business Continuity and Worker Safety. The speakers are Nick Otto, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, IBM and Edward Choi, Vice President of Strategic Alliances, Samsung Electronics America
- Session 6929: Financial Services Firms Embrace Application Modernization to Meet Changing Demands. The speakers are Shai Joshi, Managing Partner, Global Cloud Application Services Global Business Services, IBM, Shawn Dsouza, VP and Global CTO, Cloud Application Services, IBM Services and Irvinder Singh, VP, CTO, Strategy and Architecture, Card Services, Fiserv
- Session 6957: IBM Rapid Move for SAP S/4HANA – The new alternative to adopting SAP S/4HANA. The speakers are Andrew Worsley-Tonks, IBM and Annette Mahler, Department Lead ERP Germany, VODAFONE
- Session 6979: Achieving Unmatched Flexibility and Resiliency for Your SAP Applications. The speakers are Vicente Moranta, VP, Offering Management, IBM and Piyush Chowhan, LuLu Group International
- Session 7072: Putting quantum to use in chemistry and financial services. The speakers are Jannette (Jamie) Garcia, IBM Research and Nikitas Stamatopoulos, Quantum Computing Research, J.P. Morgan Chase
- Session 7090: Delivering on Customer Needs Through Smarter Fulfillment. The speakers are Sudhir Balebail, IBM and Andy Bourgeois, GM
- Session 7103: People and talent – new rules are being written. The speakers are Tanya Moore, Partner, IBM Talent and Transformation Innovation Unit and Piyush Mathur, Global Head, Workforce Analytics, Data Strategy and Governance, Johnson & Johnson
- Session 7105: Empower Your Service Teams to Deliver for Customers in the Field. The speakers are Hans Bracke, Global Experience Transformation Lead, IBM and Lee Tsiamis, IBM
- Session 7223: Frito-Lay’s Key Ingredients of eCommerce Innovation and Evolution. The speaker is Kevin Buehler, Frito-Lay
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Live Sessions
- 2:35pm – 3:00pm: Session 2063: Kaiser Permanente’s Applications: Journey to Cloud. The speakers are Suman Mishra, Program Director, Cloud Application Services, CDO Kaiser Permanente, Deb Roy Choudhuri, Chief Architect, IBM Modernization 4 Cloud, IBM Global Service and Matthew Porta, VP and Partner, Global Business Services, IBM.
- 10:35pm – 11:00pm: Session 2063: Kaiser Permanente’s Applications: Journey to Cloud. The speakers are Suman Mishra, Program Director, Cloud Application Services, CDO Kaiser Permanente, Deb Roy Choudhuri, Chief Architect, IBM Modernization 4 Cloud, IBM Global Service and Matthew Porta, VP and Partner, Global Business Services, IBM.
Wednesday May 6, 2020 Live Sessions
- 12:05pm – 12:30pm: Session 6646: Building a Resilient Workforce: How Shell is Skilling Technical Teams at Speed and Scale. The speaker is Frans Klaassen, CDO, Capabilities and Skills, Royal Dutch Shell
- 12:15pm – 1:00pm: Session 6617: Act, Don’t React: How AI and Automation Will Change the Way You Work. The speakers are Rob Thomas, SVP, IBM Cloud and Data Platform, Mirco Bharpalania, Senior Director Analytics, Data and Middleware, LUFTHANSA, Jessica Rockwood, VP, Engineering, IBM Watson, Aaron Levie, CEO, Co-Founder and Chairman, Box.
- 1:30pm – 2:00pm: Session 6776: Engage All Customers Virtually with Watson. The speakers are Ritika Gunnar, VP, Data and AI, Expert Labs and Learning, IBM and Paul Papas, Global Managing Partner, Cognitive Process Transformation and Digital Strategy and iX Global Business Services, IBM
- 2:30pm – 3:00pm: Session 6737: Leading Through Change and the Critical Role of Infrastructure. The speakers are Tom Rosamilia, SVP, IBM Systems and Chairman, North America and Ashley Pettit, CIO, SVP, Enterprise Technology, State Farm
- 2:35pm – 3:00pm: Session 3966: Put it to the test: What does 5G success look like at enterprise scale? The speakers are Edward Choi, VP of Strategic Alliances, Samsung Electronics America and Nick Otto, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, IBM
- 8:05pm – 8:30pm: Session 6646: Building a Resilient Workforce: How Shell is Skilling Technical Teams at Speed and Scale. The speaker is Frans Klaassen, CDO, Capabilities and Skills, Royal Dutch Shell
- 8:15pm – 9:00pm: Session 6617: Act, Don’t React: How AI and Automation Will Change the Way You Work. The speakers are Rob Thomas, SVP, IBM Cloud and Data Platform, Mirco Bharpalania, Senior Director Analytics, Data and Middleware, LUFTHANSA, Jessica Rockwood, VP, Engineering, IBM Watson, Aaron Levie, CEO, Co-Founder and Chairman, Box.
- 9:30pm – 10:00pm: Session 6776: Engage All Customers Virtually with Watson. The speakers are Ritika Gunnar, VP, Data and AI, Expert Labs and Learning, IBM and Paul Papas, Global Managing Partner, Cognitive Process Transformation and Digital Strategy and iX Global Business Services, IBM
- 10:30pm – 11:00pm: Session 6737: Leading Through Change and the Critical Role of Infrastructure. The speakers are Tom Rosamilia, SVP, IBM Systems and Chairman, North America and Ashley Pettit, CIO, SVP, Enterprise Technology, State Farm
- 10:35pm – 11:00pm: Session 3966: Put it to the test: What does 5G success look like at enterprise scale? The speakers are Edward Choi, VP of Strategic Alliances, Samsung Electronics America and Nick Otto, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, IBM
Join us at the free Think Digital Event Experience May 5 and 6