1660240840296 49d546d6742f4b379cc447357fce1efb

Solving plant problems with industrial-strength blockchain

Jan. 24, 2018
Sheila Kennedy examines how remote and predictive maintenance gets a boost via “smart contract” technology.

The increasingly digitalized industrial space is a prime candidate for deployment of blockchain technology. Operations and maintenance organizations depend on efficient and secure collaboration among trustworthy suppliers and partners. Blockchain replaces human risk factors and paper transactions with a shared, synchronized, tamper-resistant digital database or “distributed ledger” that provides end-to-end encryption, streamlines cross-organizational and cross-border logistics, and improves traceability and accountability. Originally conceived for “smart contracts,” blockchain now has the potential to solve industrial business problems.

Application initiatives

IBM recently announced it is collaborating with a consortium of major food suppliers and retailers to tackle food safety and transparency challenges using the IBM Blockchain Platform. The collaboration “enables participants to exchange data that could include farm origination details, batch numbers, manufacturing and plant processing data, temperature, expiration dates, and shipping details,” says Brigid McDermott, vice president of blockchain at IBM. “This information is digitally recorded on the blockchain,” she adds.

When information is digitally recorded “from farm to fork” and a grower, manufacturer, or retailer becomes aware of an issue, participants can “quickly identify the root of the problem and surgically address it in a manner that is better for consumers and the supply chain,” explains McDermott.

For the distributed, heavily regulated transportation industry, Ericsson developed a rail-use case for its Blockchain Data Integrity service on GE’s Predix platform. It addresses the governance and auditability of remote rail asset installation and maintenance, as well as the integrity of field-service work orders. The microservice ensures that “data captured during field inspections and/or from IoT systems is reliable and consistent, even as it is transferred across systems.”

Sponsored Recommendations

A Paradigm Shift in Pump Selection

Jan. 22, 2025
Discover how INNOMAG® is transforming pump selection with innovative design and unparalleled performance. Learn how this breakthrough solution simplifies operations, enhances ...

The Need for Speed: The Most Advanced Sealless Pump is Also the Fastest

Jan. 14, 2025
Struggling with a troublesome pump? Get a reliable solution in just five days with the fastest, most advanced sealless pump on the market.

Say Goodbye to Pumping’s Weakest Links

Jan. 14, 2025
Shaft seals and ball bearings cause nearly 80% of pump failures—but not with INNOMAG®. With no seals, no bearings, and a thrust-balanced design, these pumps deliver unmatched ...

Ready to Reduce the Cost of Energy with a Highly Efficient, More Forgiving Pump?

Jan. 14, 2025
INNOMAG® pumps save energy and maintain peak efficiency over time—no wear and tear. Discover how they can lower your operating costs and increase reliability.