Building a robust and transparent coffee supply chain? With the help of Blockchain technology, it’s possible! This guide will walk you through creating a cloud-based blockchain API that can enhance visibility and efficiency in the coffee retail industry using IBM Blockchain Platform V2. Get your coffee cups ready; we’re diving into the world of decentralized supply chains!

Overview

This code pattern provides a hands-on approach derived from a proof-of-concept developed with a collaborating coffee roasting company. You’ll learn to build a Node.js application that interacts with a smart contract on the IBM Blockchain. The resulting application not only logs every transaction that takes place but also verifies the organic and fair-trade status of coffee sold to customers.

Prerequisites

• An IBM Cloud account
• Install VSCode
• Install IBM Blockchain Platform Extension for VSCode
• Node.js version 8.x or greater and npm version 5.x or greater

Steps to Create the Application

Follow these steps to deploy your app:

Step 1: Clone the Repo

Clone the project repository to your machine:

git clone https://github.com/horeaporuti/blockchainbean2.git
cd blockchainbean2/web-app

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Use npm to install the required dependencies:

npm install --ignore-scripts

Step 3: Package the Contract

In VSCode, add the blockchainbeanlib directory to your workspace and package your smart contract using the command palette.

Step 4: Create IBM Cloud Services

Create a Kubernetes cluster and the IBM Blockchain Platform on your IBM Cloud account. Make sure to remember the cluster name.

Step 5: Build a Blockchain Network

Follow the detailed instructions provided in the IBM Blockchain Platform documentation to create a channel and register identities for the peers and orderers in your blockchain network.

Step 6: Deploy the Smart Contract

First, you need to install the smart contract, then instantiate it on your created channel.

Step 7: Connect Your Application

Connect your Node.js application to the IBM Blockchain network using the generated connection profile.

Step 8: Run the Application

After setting everything up, start your Node.js application and check if everything is running smoothly:

npm start

Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost:8080/explorer to start interacting with your newly deployed application!

Understanding the Code with an Analogy

Think of the blockchain as a very efficient librarian at a vast library (the supply chain). Each time a new shipment of coffee (a new book) arrives, the librarian records its details in a ledger. This ledger is not one that only the librarian knows about; anyone can see it – it’s transparent! Each cup of coffee you drink has a story, from the farm it came from to its journey through roasting and distribution, just as each book has a story of its author and its publication history. Blockchain ensures this information is stored securely and can’t be modified, ensuring each cup is genuinely organic and fair-trade.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while installing or running the IBM Blockchain VSCode extension, start by checking the prerequisites. Ensure that all components are correctly installed by revisiting the provided links.

If you come across an error, such as user registration issues, feel free to change the username in your config.json file, saving it with a new name before retrying. If problems persist, reach out to the developer community.

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

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully created a fair trade supply network using Hyperledger Fabric and IBM Blockchain Platform V2. Now spring into action and explore how you can extend this project further – maybe integrate it with additional supply chain components or create an even more complex blockchain application!

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.