DEVELOPMENT OF A PRIVATE BLOCKCHAIN FOR A SUPPLY CHAIN PLATFORM

Under a Non-Disclosure Agreement, our client initiated a project to revolutionize the supply chain platform through the development of a sophisticated private blockchain. This venture aimed to enhance the product lifecycle management of diverse goods, starting with the coffee supply chain from select suppliers. Leveraging the combined power of blockchain technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), the platform was designed to offer unparalleled tracking of product statuses, ensure cargo integrity via IoT data, and maintain detailed product metadata. The project’s complexity necessitated the creation of a private blockchain, an SDK for IoT data integration, an advanced storage module, and a system of tiered masternodes for effective data management. This initiative sets a new standard in supply chain efficiency, security, and transparency, representing a significant leap forward in integrating technology with supply chain management.

WHAT WAS THE TASK?

Our task was to engineer a state-of-the-art supply chain platform, initially focused on optimizing the coffee supply chain from a select group of suppliers. The platform was envisioned to accomplish several critical functions: Lifecycle Management: It needed to enable real-time tracking of products through all stages of the post-production lifecycle, including packing at production facilities, transportation logistics, distribution channels, and final delivery to retailers. IoT Data Integration: The platform was tasked with aggregating and storing a wide array of data from IoT devices, such as sensors, thermometers, and QR-code readers. This data was essential for monitoring the transportation conditions and ensuring the integrity of the cargo, by providing timestamped updates on status changes. Metadata Storage: Another vital requirement was the capability to store and manage detailed metadata for each product, encompassing information about suppliers and other critical attributes, to facilitate easy access and data retrieval. To achieve these ambitious goals, the project demanded the development of several sophisticated components: A Private Blockchain Infrastructure: To ensure data integrity, security, and transparency across the supply chain. An SDK for IoT Data Integration: Designed to standardize the process of collecting data from various IoT devices and storing it securely on the blockchain. A Storage Module: For efficient management and retrieval of the vast amounts of data generated across the supply chain. Tiered Masternodes: A system of masternodes was to be established to differentiate between offchain and onchain data, ensuring scalability and performance.

PROJECT ARCHITECTURE

The development encompassed several streams, including smart contracts, blockchain explorer development, dApps for on-chain information retrieval, backend services, and infrastructure setup. A specialized team of Blockchain Engineers, Smart Contract Developers, Backend and Web3 Frontend Engineers, DevOps, and a Technology Lead drove the project forward. Our blockchain foundation was a custom fork of geth (Ethereum’s main client), modified for Proof-of-Authority consensus. This included deploying multiple nodes, some designated as historical nodes for the explorer, and setting up restricted access RPC.

THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

The development of the supply chain platform was a collaborative effort that combined the skills of a diverse team, streamlined into key phases: Blockchain Foundation: Led by Blockchain and Golang Engineers, we customized a geth fork with PoA consensus, setting up essential infrastructure including a block explorer and an RPC interface for secure data access. Smart Contracts and SDK Development: Our Smart Contract Engineers developed essential contracts and an SDK for seamless blockchain interaction, ensuring efficient data capture from IoT devices. Backend and Storage Layer: Backend Engineers designed a tiered masternode system for robust offchain data management, focusing on security and accessibility. Frontend Accessibility: Web3 Frontend Engineers crafted user-friendly dApps, making blockchain interactions intuitive for tracking and verifying products. Infrastructure and CI/CD Pipeline: DevOps streamlined the deployment process with a robust CI/CD pipeline, ensuring smooth platform updates and scalability. Project Oversight: A Technology Lead and Solution Architect directed the project, ensuring cohesion and addressing technical challenges, guiding the platform towards its strategic goals. This approach emphasized phased development, from architecture to implementation, with a focus on teamwork and continuous integration to navigate technical complexities and achieve project milestones efficiently.