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Establishing Supply Chain Visibility with Blockchain Amid COVID-19

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oodles blockchain

Industries are struggling to minimize the effects on their supply chains while governments seek to control the spread of COVID-19. According to a report by Dun & Bradstreet, the pandemic has impacted the supply chains of 94 percent of Fortune 1000 firms. Also, businesses perceived to be giants in the technology and supply chain are struggling. Apple is unable to get the next shipment of iPhones, and its factory in China has been temporarily shut down by Tesla.

 

The issue is that supply chains have become widely dispersed, competitive, and lean. This works to everyone’s advantage when times are good. However, monitoring and traceability, agility, and visibility are restricted even then. But when things go wrong, they go poorly, and internationally, the cumulative effects create chaos. Pandemics encourage us to think outside the box about how to be stronger and more sustainable. At Oodles, our experts believe that blockchain supply chain solutions development can prove to be a game-changer amid COVID-19.

Blockchain Applications in Supply Chain Management

Supplier Verification

A single OEM product can have parts or services from hundreds of suppliers, and an efficient failure detection system must dig deep into the supply chain. In order to ensure the accuracy of results, each layer must be closely scrutinized and processes placed in place.

Compliance

A recall of products is guaranteed upon failing to comply with environmental and other compliance standards or the U.S.-imposed “conflict minerals” requirements.

Streamlined communication between stakeholders

All parts of the supply chain must work closely together to prevent product recalls, but the OEM’s key role is to harmonize the relationship.

Safe Shipment

Some product recalls are due to damage sustained after manufacturing rather than due to flaws in products or problems on the factory floor.

Blockchain In Supply Chain Management | Benefits

Global supply chains are calling out for a structured approach to trustfully coordinate data. They are looking for an approach that can help to build a tool for risk management and disruption mitigation. Blockchain can be used to construct such a risk-based model that can prepare a supply chain to withstand pandemics like COVID-19. Blockchain is basically a distributed ledger where transactions are exchanged with various computers rather than stored in one central location.

The visibility of multiple-party transactions gives transparency and protection. When blockchain information is uploaded, it can not be altered, ensuring immutability and trust. That becomes the keystone of a stable digital supply chain. All related information is available to the entire supply chain if transactions are stored in the blockchain. Immutability, traceability, and accountability describe the goods’ provenance in the supply chain.

End-to-End Supply Chain Visibility with Blockchain

Most companies will be measuring the supply chain visibility during 2020 due to COVID-19. Company survival at times like these would be a result of how well companies know their value chain. Under the immense pressure of these latest global innovations an obsolete supply chain structure may buckle. To adapt to rapid shifts in demand, many companies also lack a view of upstream and downstream inventory levels. In order to spread the risk, firms made efforts to have several suppliers after previous disruptions. But they did not have adequate network visibility to realize that their new tier 1-vendors were relying on the same old tier-2 vendors.

Blockchain-based supply chains connect all parties to the same network, untangling the intricate global structure and making every step of the way clear. Both layers of suppliers and subcontractors, their positions, and the production potential can be seen by the companies. This helps them to determine their threats, model situations, conduct what-if assessments, and take proactive measures. It also lets businesses easily monitor their responses as circumstances are rapidly changing. Knowing exactly where the goods are in real-time also allows businesses more versatility in order management. In one hypothetical example, 100,000 devices have been ordered by a router company, half of which are made in Japan and half in Wuhan, China. On the blockchain, the company can see that development is slowing in Wuhan. This helps the organization to take remedial steps and mitigate the effects.

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