In the fast-evolving world of insurance and blockchain technology, launching an effective application can feel like venturing into uncharted waters. This guide will assist you in navigating the complexities of building a Blockchain Insurance Application, showcasing how to process claims securely on the blockchain. Buckle up, and let’s dive in!

Understanding the Framework of the Application

Imagine our application as a bustling city, where each participant (insurance company, police, repair shop, and shop) operates its own agency (or peer node) within this city. The insurance peer manages claims, the police peer verifies them, the repair shop ensures the products are repaired, and the shop sells them to customers.

The value of deploying this entire setup on the IBM Blockchain Platform is akin to constructing a well-planned city. You can adjust the layout as per your needs, whether it’s relocating nodes, scaling resources, or adding new agencies that can swiftly start collaborating.

Prerequisites

• IBM Cloud account
• Docker – latest version
• Docker Compose – latest version
• NPM – latest version
• Node.js – version 8.9.x
• Git client – latest version
• Python – version 2.7.x
• React – version 15.6.1

Steps to Build the Application

1. Create IBM Cloud Services

Start by creating the IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service, ensuring it has 32 CPU and 32 GB RAM. Once your cluster is set up, deploy the IBM Blockchain Platform on it.

2. Build a Network with Certificate Authority

Create a network foundation by establishing a Certificate Authority for each participant. This is similar to assigning roles within our city, ensuring each agency can authenticate and manage its operations.

3. Create Membership Service Providers (MSP) Definitions

For each organization, establish an MSP definition. This is like constructing the foundational documents that delineate governance and identity. Each organization’s admin will generate their respective certificates.

4. Create Peer Nodes

Now, it’s time to build peer nodes for each organization. Like setting up offices in the city, this will facilitate interactions and transactions among the participants.

5. Create the Orderer

The orderer is the overseer that manages how transactions flow between organizations. It functions as the city mayor, enabling collaboration and order.

6. Create and Join Channel

Creating a channel allows those involved to communicate and transact privately. It’s akin to creating specialized roads that connect certain areas of the city for smoother interactions.

7. Deploy Smart Contracts

Install a smart contract to dictate and automate the terms of engagement between the organizations. Think of this as drafting a city ordinance that governs all operations.

8. Connect Application to the Network

Integrate your application with the blockchain by setting up a connection profile and credentialing admin identities for each participant. This process allows users to engage with the blockchain in a secure manner.

9. Enroll App Admin Identities

Ensure that each application has the necessary admin identities enrolled. This step safeguards the integrity and operations of the application, ensuring accountability in each transaction.

10. Run the Application

From the root project directory, execute the build script to download and create the necessary Docker images. Once running, access the application via http://localhost:3000. Your application should be live now!

Troubleshooting

If you encounter obstacles caused mainly by misconfigured Docker settings or improper Node.js installation, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Check your Node.js version and ensure you’re using v8.9.x.
• Run clean.sh to remove any existing Docker containers or images that might be creating conflicts.
• Refer to the StackOverflow response for Node-related issues.

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

Conclusion

With this guide, you’re now equipped to build a Blockchain Insurance Application that lays a resilient foundation for processing claims in a secure manner. 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.