IOT Enabled Smart Logistics Using Smart Contracts

Abstract

Advancements in sensors and devices have enabled Internet of Things (IoT) adoption in various sectors, especially in domains looking to automate and increase their real-time decision making capabilities to improve efficiencies. Supply chain management in logistics is a perfect fit for adoption of IoT, since it involves shipment of assets being moved, tracked and housed by a number of machines, vehicles and people each day. Smart Contracts are terms and conditions parties can specify that assure trust in the enforceability of the contract and provide visibility at every step of a supply chain. IoT devices can write to a smart contract as a product moves from the factory floor to the store shelves, providing real-time visibility of an enterprises entire supply chain. This paper proposes a smart logistics solution encapsulating smart contracts, logistics planner and condition monitoring of the assets in the Supply Chain Management area. A prototype of the solution is implemented which demonstrates accountability, traceability and liability for asset handling across the supply chain by various parties involved in a logistics scenario.