Blockchain and the Supply Chain: Concepts, Strategies and Practical Applications

Blockchain can transform companies when successfully integrated into existing supply chain ecosystems and practices. The key benefits include dispute resolution, foolproof track and trace, event management, operational as well as financial transparency, speed to market, visibility, elimination of heavy reliance on intermediary, integration of IoT technology, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Blockchain and the Supply Chain highlights how to use blockchain as an enabler and key driver for solutions in the end-to-end supply chain. Blockchain and the Supply Chain examines the business case for blockchain, including increased efficiency of transactions. It also covers the broader set of technologies relevant to supply chains, such as IoT, Big Data and Cyber Security basics and the capabilities they offer. The team of authors look at the evolution of the network, systems and finance, as well as basics of blockchain such as peer-to-peer transactions, consensus-based algorithms and smart contracts. The book includes cases which highlight the opportunities within the different nodes of systems, sales and operations planning and provide practical examples from specific supply chains, such as the movement of temperature-controlled goods, dry goods and precious commodities, as well as general cargo flow.