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.

About the Authors

Nick Vyas is the Executive Director and Co-founder of USC Marshall's Center for Global Supply Chain Management and Assistant Professor of Clinical Data Sciences & Operations. He teaches GSCM and Lean Six Sigma and global supply chain management to leaders from various industries at Cal Polytechnic University, Pomona. Previously Vyas managed global operations for Duty Free International, Sears, Federated Stores, and Toys R Us, where he integrated technology, directed teams, and oversaw strategic transformation initiatives that both optimized speed-to-market and managed cost and quality.

Aljosja Beije is co-founder of Blocklab and a PhD candidate at the Politecnico di Milano, where his research focusses on blockchain and SCM.

Bhaskar Krishnamachari is Director of USC Viterbi Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet of Things and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor in the University of Southern California, LA.