Key Takeaways
A supply chain is a complex process of converting raw materials into goods and delivering them to customers.
The current supply management system lacks transparency, efficiency, and integration.
Blockchain technology tackles those problems effectively, but faces difficulties in its implementation in the supply chain.
Introduction
A supply chain is a network of people and businesses involved in creating and distributing a particular product or service - all the way from the initial suppliers to the end users and customers. A basic supply chain system often involves the suppliers of food or raw materials, the manufacturers (processing stage), the logistics companies, and the final retailers.
Currently, the supply chain management system is plagued by a lack of efficiency and transparency and most networks face difficulties when trying to integrate all parties involved. Ideally, the products and materials, as well as money and data need to move seamlessly throughout the various stages of the chain.
However, the current model makes it difficult to maintain a consistent and efficient supply chain system - which negatively impacts not only the profitability of the companies but also the final retail price.
The 2020 COVID crisis has made the problems resurface with new strength. The average consumer has then noticed the implications of the term âsupply chainâ when he had to wait for the goods to arrive much longer than usual due to the global restrictions.
Some of the supply chain's most pressing issues can be addressed through the use of blockchain technology as it provides novel ways to record, transmit, and share data.
The Benefits of Using Blockchain for the Supply Chain
Since blockchains are designed as distributed systems, they are highly resistant to modification and can suit the supply chain networks very well. A blockchain consists of a chain of data blocks, which are linked through cryptographic techniques that ensure the stored data cannot be altered or tampered with - unless the whole network agrees.
Therefore, blockchain systems provide a secure and reliable architecture for conveying information. Although often used for recording cryptocurrency transactions, blockchain technology can be extremely useful for securing all kinds of digital data, and applying it to the supply chain network can bring many benefits.
Transparent and immutable records
Imagine that we have several companies and institutions working together. They may use a blockchain system to record data about the location and ownership of their materials and products. Any member of the supply chain can see what is going on as resources move from company to company. Since data records cannot be altered, there would be no question as to who the responsible party was if something goes wrong.
Cutting costs
A lot of waste occurs through the inefficiencies within the supply chain network. This problem is especially prevalent in industries that have perishable goods. The improved tracking and data transparency help companies identify these wasteful areas so they can put cost-saving measures in place.
The blockchain can also eliminate fees associated with funds passing into and out of various bank accounts and payment processors. These fees cut into profit margins, so being able to take them out of the equation is significant.
Creating interoperable data
One of the most significant problems with the current supply chain is not being able to integrate data across every partner in the process. Blockchains are built as distributed systems that maintain a unique and transparent data repository. Each node of the network (each party) contributes to adding new data and verifying their integrity. This means that all information stored on a blockchain is accessible to all parties involved, so one company can easily verify what information is being broadcasted by the other.
Replacing EDI
Many companies rely on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems to send business information to each other. However, this data frequently goes out in batches, rather than in real-time. If a shipment goes missing or pricing changes rapidly, other participants in the supply chain would only get this information after the next EDI batch goes out. With blockchain, the information is updated regularly and can be quickly distributed to all entities involved.
Digital agreements and document sharing
A single version of the truth is important for any type of supply chain document sharing. The necessary documentation and contracts can be associated with blockchain transactions and digital signatures, so all participants have access to the original version of the agreements and documents.Â
The blockchain ensures document immutability, and the agreements can only be changed if all involved parties reach consensus. This way, organizations can spend less time with their lawyers going over the paperwork or at the negotiating table, and focus on developing new products or promoting business growth.
Increasing the quality of goods
Blockchain technology makes it possible to track the quality of products as they pass through the entire supply chain. This enables faster and more efficient defective product detection and elimination. That benefits the consumer as he would have a smaller possibility to receive a damaged good. The firms would be incentivized to focus on producing high-quality inventory as flawed merchandise can always be spotted by the peers and disposed of.
The Challenges of Blockchain Adoption in Supply Chain Management
Although blockchain technology has a lot of potential for the supply chain industry, there are some challenges and limitations worth considering.
Deploying new systems
Systems that are purpose-built for the organization's supply chain may not be capable of adapting to a blockchain-based environment. Overhauling the company's infrastructure and business processes is a significant undertaking that can disrupt operations and take away resources from other projects. Thus, upper management may be hesitant to sign off on this type of investment before seeing widespread adoption by other major players in their industry.
Getting partners on-board
The partners involved in the supply chain also need to be willing to get on-board with blockchain technology. While organizations still get benefits from having only part of the process covered by the blockchain, they can't take full advantage of it when there are holdouts. Moreover, transparency isnât something that all companies desire.
Change management
Once the blockchain-based system is in place, businesses have to promote its adoption to their employees. A change management plan should address what the blockchain is, the ways that it improves their job duties, and how to work with the new systems that include it. An ongoing training program can address new features or innovations in blockchain technology, but that requires time and resources.
Closing Thoughts
Several large players of the supply chain industry are already embracing blockchain-based distributed systems and setting up resources to encourage their use. For example, IBM Food Trust uses blockchain technology to increase transparency in the food supply chain. We are likely to see global supply chain platforms leveraging blockchain technology to streamline the way companies share information as products and materials move around.
Blockchain technology can transform organizations in many different ways, from production and processing to logistics and accountability. Every event can be registered and verified to create transparent and immutable records. Therefore, the use of blockchain in supply chain networks certainly has the potential to eliminate areas of inefficiency that are so common in the traditional management models.
Further Reading
Disclaimer: This content is presented to you on an âas isâ basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. It should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice, nor is it intended to recommend the purchase of any specific product or service. You should seek your own advice from appropriate professional advisors. Where the article is contributed by a third party contributor, please note that those views expressed belong to the third party contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Binance Academy. Please read our full disclaimer here for further details. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance Academy is not liable for any losses you may incur. This material should not be construed as financial, legal or other professional advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.