New research group addresses supply chain blockchain relevancy

Chain Business Insights released a new eBook this week intended to be a primer for supply chain professionals to understand blockchain’s applications in the industry.    A new research group aimed at helping the supply chain industry better understand the application of blockchain technology has released a new eBook on the topic.
   Chain Business Insights’ new book, Blockchain Meets Supply Chain: Rewiring Business Operations for the Digital Age, focuses on concrete blockchain uses for supply chain management and trade finance. The firm, which will offer membership and consultative services, is also conducting a survey on the topic.
   “Proof of concepts are already underway to apply blockchain to supply chain management,” says Ken Cottrill, co-founder and research principal at Chain Business Insights. “IBM, Walmart and Maersk are among the organizations leading the way.”
   The eBook is intended to be a primer for those who want to learn about blockchain basics and potential applications in supply chain management. It explains how blockchain can be used to improve efficiency and reduce fraud, support ethical and sustainable supply chains, facilitate trade transactions and comply with regulations. The eBook also discusses blockchain implementation challenges and strategy.
   “The financial services industry is well positioned to leverage blockchain – including for trade finance,” said Peter Harris, also co-founder and research principal at Chain Business Insights. “(We believe) there is huge potential to learn from these FSI experiences to solve similar problems in supply chain management, reshape global supply chains and enhance competitiveness of enterprises worldwide.”
   American Shipper examined in depth the use of blockchain in the shipping industry in late 2016, and sister publication, the Adam Smith Project, has also covered the topic in recent weeks.