In today’s world, technology is slowly taking over numerous aspects of life and businesses are no exception to the same. Gone are the days when every aspect of business had to be managed manually and simple procedures took too long to complete. This is the age of blockchain. You’d be surprised by the numerous benefits of using blockchain technology for your business. Not only can it hasten the entire production process, but it can also reduce your costs and maximize profits. In this article, we shall discuss the latest trends in utilizing blockchain technology in businesses.
What is Blockchain Technology?
Over the last few years, the term blockchain technology has been used extensively with respect to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The most common definition of Blockchain technology is “a distributed database or ledger that is shared among the nodes of a computer network”. The primary function of blockchain is to store information in a digital format. It collects information together in groups, also known as “blocks”. This forms a chain of data called blockchain and all new information is freshly added as a block in the blockchain.
Blockchain has the primary goal to store digital information that can be recorded and distributed, but not edited. Such data cannot be altered, deleted, or destroyed. Blockchain is, therefore, also known as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).
Application of Blockchain Technology in Business
Since the advent of blockchain technology, numerous industries all across the globe have started using it to transform businesses. For one, blockchain technology is an extremely trustworthy system that prevents editing or deleting existing information. It has successfully revolutionized food distribution, supply chain, government services, financial services, retail, and much more.
Here are some industries where blockchain technology plays a crucial role.
Safer Food Supply
With the rapid increase in cases of food adulteration, it is only natural to be worried about the safety of food. Blockchain technology has been monumental in ensuring the safety of the food supply chain. Blockchain can track ownership records and is tamper-resistant. This is crucial as the information is regarding food traceability, the efficiency of the supply chain, safety recalls, and food fraud. Blockchain technology also adds value to the food network by establishing a ledger and balancing market pricing.
Supply Chain Management
Today’s supply chain is a unique blend of relationships, systems, scheduling, and most importantly, data. Through real-time and precise digitalization and automation, blockchain technology helps in the better management of documents across borders and organizations. Blockchain technology is of great help to shippers, ports, customs services, banks, insurers, logistics providers, and other stakeholders in the supply chain.
Healthcare
Interoperability, privacy, maintenance of records, and supply chain management are some of the major challenges facing the healthcare industry, especially since the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. By promoting trust and collaboration, blockchain has already shown its worth in the healthcare and life sciences industries. Blockchain networks, which store an immutable, single version of the truth, assist enterprises to ensure data integrity as they look to certify the health condition of their clients and staff. Pharmaceutical products are tracked on a blockchain as they move through the supply chain. Smart contracts can automate procedures for improved speed and efficiency in a variety of situations, including settling disputes, initiating subsequent steps in supply chain transactions, and transferring medical photos through review.
Financial Services
Blockchain technology is revolutionizing financial services through newfound cooperation, speed, and innovation. Real-time multi-party tracking, management of bank guarantees, and letters of credit are made possible by blockchain. An automated compliance approach that draws from immutable data records ensures faster and more accurate reporting. Blockchain facilitates frictionless, point-to-point fund transfers between financial institutions in close to real-time, speeding up settlement.
Telecommunications
Telcos are reshaping their operational and long-standing data privacy challenges using blockchain technology. The next step in ensuring that telecoms remain among the most trusted parties for handling personal data and protecting privacy is to enable an immutable record of customer preferences. This is possible only with the utilization of blockchain technology in the telecommunications industry.
Despite its intricacy, blockchain has virtually limitless potential as a decentralized method of record-keeping. Blockchain technology could possibly find applications beyond those mentioned above, ranging from improved user privacy and security to reduced processing costs and fewer mistakes. Tens of thousands of projects are currently looking to use blockchain technology for a range of social good purposes other than just transaction records. It’s no longer a question of if legacy organizations will adopt blockchain technology—it’s a question of when.
Tracy is the Design Manager here at Redwood Creative. She’s been designing amazing graphics and web layouts for large and small businesses for upwards of 7 years.
