Logging Multi-Component Supply Chain Production in Blockchain

Abstract

The supply chain is a thriving industry where numerous parties have different interests. Subsequently, the immense volume of data produced is difficult to audit. Some information can be lost or intentionally distorted in the process. Blockchain as an open, public, borderless, neutral, and censorship-resistant architecture can significantly complement supply chains. A new supply chain architecture is proposed in this work, where the tokenized directed acyclic hypergraph (DAG) represents real-world production processes. An anti-aerosol respirator manufacturing is used as an illustration example. By tokenizing all parts of multi-component products, supply chain data is automatically timestamped and secured. Moreover, the DAG design allows one to trace-back all the elements of the final product to their origin. Blockchain can formally audit the entire supply chain without the need to go from place to place. A single incorruptible operations log creates an enabling environment for an unbiased reputation system to emerge.