International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) has launched a new platform that allows companies to test blockchain technology in their supply chains.

The new service utilizes the company’s LinuxOne system and allows supply chain customers to build and test blockchains in a secure cloud; the service is being pitched to companies that need to track high-value items through complex supply chains.

IBM’s Linux One blockchain cloud environment is said to help secure entry points and fight against insider threats by implementing features that help protect data and ensure the integrity of the overall network.

Currently in limited beta, the first company to utilize the platform is Everledger Ltd., a company that tracks and protects diamonds and other valuables via the blockchain.

Everledger is using the IBM blockchain to power its certification system that tracks valuable items through the supply chain with a goal of protecting supplier, buyers, and shippers against theft, counterfeiting, and other forms of corruption.

“When you are in the business of provenance, secured records, access and transparency are everything. There is no compromise when it comes to security and one cannot underestimate the expertise required to enable this,” Everledger Chief Executive Officer and Founder Leanne Kemp said in a statement. “Having the opportunity to build, test, scale and refine Everledger on IBM Blockchain, underpinned by a security-rich infrastructure, is a game changer. It has accelerated our ability to move fast and deliver the most innovative solutions to our partners internationally and confidentially.”

Future

As we’ve reported time and time again here at SiliconANGLE, the blockchain in not only the future of financial transactions but record keeping and in this case supply chain management as well.

IBM has been a strong supporter of blockchain based technologies having launched a blockchain based smart contract service in September 2015, followed up by cloud-based blockchain environment for regulated industries in April this year.

Big Blue has also not been shy in supporting blockchain standards and blockchain startups as well, having contributed 44,000 lines of code to the blockchain project and investing in blockchain fintech startup Digital Asset Holdings LLC.

The new offering is yet another extension of IBM’s growing range of blockchain based offerings and as the company continues to shift away from its traditional role as a manufacturer to service provider this new service looks set to serve IBM, and its customers well.

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