In the realm of supply chain systems, traceability is crucial. However, the interoperability between organizations often presents challenges. This blog will guide you through implementing a blockchain-based model to enhance traceability in your supply chain. This technical framework is rooted in research derived from my final year project at the university, and it is built on the Hyperledger platform to solve the interoperability hurdle.

Why Blockchain for Supply Chain?

Imagine a bustling marketplace where vendors sell their products. Each vendor has a story about their merchandise, but buyers find it hard to verify the authenticity of those stories. Now, envision a ledger that keeps track of every transaction and claim made by those vendors, equally visible and immutable. That, in a nutshell, is what blockchain does for supply chains: it provides a transparent ledger that verifies and tracks every step of the supply chain journey from producer to consumer.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the implementation, ensure you have the following tools set up:

• Docker
• Postman
• Node.js & npm
• Yarn

Installation Steps

To get started, follow these installation steps:

Step 1: Download Fabric Docker Images

Run the following command in your terminal:

curl -sSL https://goo.gl/6wtTN5 | bash -s 1.1.0-rc1

For detailed guidance, refer to the documentation.

Step 2: Install Composer Command Line Tools

Execute this command to install Composer:

npm i -g composer-cli@0.16.3 composer-rest-server@0.16.3 passport-github

Step 3: Import Sample Participant Identities

Change directory to network and import identities:

cd network
./importIdCards.sh

Step 4: Enable Authentication for API Server

Create a new OAuth application on GitHub with the following details:

• Application Name: composer-rest-server
• Homepage URL: http://localhost:3000
• Application Description: OAuth application for the multi-user mode of composer-rest-server
• Authorization Callback URL: http://localhost:3000/auth/github/callback

Running the Network

Now, let’s start the network:

# In the network directory
export COMPOSE_PROJECT_NAME=biswas
./deployNetwork.sh

Interacting with the Network

To interact with your network, follow these steps:

Step 1: Import Identities into the API Server

Authenticate with GitHub at http://localhost:3000/auth/github.

Step 2: Add Sample Data using Postman

Navigate to the end-to-end test run documentation and click “Run in Postman.” Select the imported sample-env environment, and display your OAuth access token in the explorer.

Step 3: View Traceability Information

Copy your OAuth access token into line 9 of .frontendsrc/controllers/api.js and start the web application:

yarn start

Now navigate to the frontend at http://localhost:3001 to search for the copied bottleID.

Troubleshooting

While implementing this system, you may run into some issues. Here are a few common troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure your Docker is running properly. A misconfigured Docker can lead to connectivity issues.
• Check your OAuth configuration. A misconfiguration on GitHub can cause authentication failures.
• Consult the Postman documentation if you are facing challenges with API requests.
• If you require additional insights or encounter issues not addressed here, consider reaching out for support and community discussions.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing a blockchain supply chain model can significantly enhance traceability and interoperability among organizations. By following the outlined steps, you can effectively set up a robust system capable of adapting to various supply chain scenarios.

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.