How Is Blockchain Improving Supply Chain Management

Only at first sight, supply chain in logistics seems to be simple: what can be easier than taking something from point A to point B? In fact, there can be dozens of other points between A and B, each involving a new company, people, and documents. The complexity of modern supply chains results in delays, losses, damages and opens impressive opportunities for fraud. No wonder this industry requires the power of technological transformation which presupposes the implementation of innovative digital technologies such as blockchain.

In one of our blog posts, we have disclosed what blockchain technologies can offer to the logistics industry. Let’s see what blockchain technology can bring to the supply chain.

What is Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management?

The blockchain technology is mainly associated with cryptocurrencies, however its principles can be useful for a variety of industries including supply chain management.

Overall, blockchain is a decentralized network (chain) of blocks that allows to make, record and protect transactions among several parties involved without the need for an intermediary like a bank. Each new block is linked to the previous one, so it is impossible to change one block without changing the whole chain without approval from everyone in the network. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum are utilized as a main currency for transactions.

In supply chain management, instead of crypto coins, supply chain blockchains “tokenize” transaction-related data, creating unique and easily verifiable tokens for purchase orders, inventory items, bills, etc.

Every participant in the chain has their own unique digital signature. It is leveraged to “sign” tokens that move along the chain. Every stage of the transaction is recorded in the transfers between participants, providing a built-in audit mark that can’t be falsified as everyone gets their own copy of the chain.

What Are the Benefits of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management?

The use of blockchain in the supply chain management can improve supply chain security, transparency, credibility as well as can help automate the processes while reducing the costs and risks.

It allows the participants to record prices, dates, locations, quality, certification, and many other relevant information to manage the supply chain more productively. Blockchain technology can increase traceability of the supply chain, lower losses from counterfeit and grey market, improve visibility and efficiency and overall supply chain management.

Thus, the use of blockchain in supply chain management could bring the benefits of traceability, transparency and tradability.

Let’s dive into how blockchain technology can add value to supply chains.

Security and Transparency

Since the information in each node of a blockchain cannot be lost and changed or erased if someone simply wants it, it becomes a trustworthy way of storing data. Unlike storing the data at servers, the blockchain-enabled database is also hacking resistant as all the information is open and stored at multiple machines.

All shippers and carriers, as well as other participants of a supply chain, see the details of each cargo: its route, speed, documents along with all the changes made (when, why, and by whom). This increases the trust between different companies that have to work together within one chain of custody. Teaming up with IoT technologies blockchain also eliminates or at least decreases the possibility of illegal transportation of forbidden or dangerous stuff. Here is how it works: the smart sensors of a truck or a ship can weigh and analyze the load it carries and send the information to the network.

Information Credibility

The transparency blockchain brings to the global trade industry goes beyond documentation and administrative procedures. It also shows the information about goods and their origin to ensure dealers and customers that the products are not changed for some fakes along their way to shelves or not produced using illegal child labor. The blockchain-based system can be used to confirm the exclusivity and real origin of luxury goods which are most likely to be faked.

The confirmation of proper production becomes even more important when it comes to drugs or food. With the help of blockchain it is easy to detect who is responsible for spoiled food or disease outbreak. Imagine a huge retailer importing eggs and chicken from several households. Suddenly consumers report getting salmonellosis after eating the eggs they bought from this retailer. Instead of destroying the whole stock, it is possible to find out the exact providers of contaminated products and get rid of their latest supplement.

One more way the logistics industry benefits from easy-to-access reliable information ensured by blockchain technology is the opportunity to see a vehicle’s history and performance efficiency. For example, when a company needs to buy used trucks, it can get the history of all breakdowns, repairs, and accidents of a particular vehicle.

Processes Automatization

One of the most revolutionizing effects blockchain has on the supply chain industry lies in smart contracts. These are sets of actions that are done after certain requirements are met. For example, this can be a program that sends money to the carrier right after the cargo reaches its final destination. Such a solution helps to eliminate the need for third-party companies like banks, to accelerate and automatize the processes that usually require more time and can cause a human error.

The long and tedious attempts to iron out conflict situations are a serious problem for the majority of players of the logistics industry. Many companies spend millions of dollars to resolve the payment conflicts instead of investing into business development. In most disputes, companies require external help to come to an agreement. Empowered by blockchain, supply chain management can save much time and resources by simplifying settling disputes.

Implementing blockchain in the supply chain also allows simple searching for matching routes and free spaces at vehicles. According to American Transportation Research Institute, 20% of all the distance trucks drive empty. It means losses in the industry’s income, which can be avoided by better communication and automatization of getting information about truck loads.

What Are the Blockchain Use Cases in Supply Chain Management?

Many leading companies like FedEx, Maersk, UPS, Walmart, Ford, BMW, Tesla are already utilizing blockchain technology in their own supply chains to improve process efficiency, replacing slow manual processes and reducing IT transaction costs.

• Walmart developed a digital food supply ecosystem while using blockchain technology to automate the entire food supply chain process, speed up transparency and reduce paper waste.
• Maersk and IBM developed an international cargo shipping solution that uses blockchain technology to help improve process efficiency.
• FedEx leveraged blockchain to supervise their chain of custody and track its shipments.
• UPS together with Inxeption developed a blockchain-based platform to improve its merchant supply chains. Apart from that, UPS is planning to develop a blockchain system that would store package destination, movement, transportation method, and other crucial information.
• Ford developed a blockchain to track cobalt used for the batteries in electric-powered cars for end-to-end supply-chain transparency.
• BMW implemented blockchain to track the supply chain movements of vehicle headlights, all raw materials and components, and intends to include suppliers of several other car parts.
• Tesla successfully used the technology to streamline the inbound supply chain to its production plant in ​​Shanghai, China.

The Bottom Line

The use and value of any technological innovation in any industry will grow in accordance with the growth of the number of companies using it. At SCAND, we believe that the more logistics market game players adopt blockchain technology, the closer the industry gets to becoming a transparent and reliable ecosystem. And we are ready to help your business get full advantage of the tech revolution that has already started in the supply chain industry.