Tech Mahindra, which already is part of the AWS Partner Network, is to team up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to build solutions based on blockchain technology. Tech Mahindra will introduce blockchain solutions built on the Amazon Managed Blockchain.
Rajesh Dhuddu, Blockchain and Cybersecurity Practice Leader, Tech Mahindra, said, “Global businesses are facing sustained headwinds and struggling to collectively navigate and strategize in this new, unchartered territory and facilitate business continuity in the current COVID world. Ensuring supply chain continuity is paramount and needs more attention in the coming times.
“Organizations are advised to leverage technologies like Blockchain to address the challenges and create a competitive advantage for themselves. Our collaboration with AWS will support future pandemic preparedness and accelerate an economic rebound post COVID-19 for organizations operating global supply chains and eliminate siloes (sic).”
Amazon Managed Blockchain
Amazon Managed Blockchain is a managed service which seeks to facilitate the creation and management of scalable blockchain networks using an open source framework. Using it, customers are able to set up and manage a scalable blockchain network (allegedly with just a few clicks).
In effect, the Amazon Managed Blockchain:
- eliminates the overhead required to create a network
- automatically scales (to meet the demands of thousands of applications and/or millions of transactions).
Once a network is up and running, the Amazon Managed Blockchain:
- simplifies management and maintenance of a blockchain network
- handles certificates
- facilitates new members joining a network.
Furthermore, if there is a need for an immutable and verifiable ledger database, there is Amazon’s QLDB.
Tech Mahindra and Amazon Managed Blockchain
As part of the collaboration, Tech Mahindra will offer solutions through the AWS Marketplace using Amazon Managed Blockchain Services. These offerings will include:
- Kit Management (Aviation and Aerospace); this will track and trace ‘kits’ as these are procured from multi-tier suppliers in the aviation industry
- Outbound Logistics (Telecom Supply Chain); this will provide enhanced visibility for OEMs on the ETAs for the B2C supply chain in the telecom industry
- Medical Material Track and Trace (Healthcare Supply Chain); this will aim to track and identify fraudulent medical materials (for example, PPE like face masks, gloves, sanitisers) through the medical supply chain.
Tech Mahindra also plans – over the next 12 to 18 months – to develop and market additional blockchain solutions across several industries, including:
- banking and financial services
- telecom
- retail
- manufacturing
- oil and gas
- travel
- logistics
- healthcare.
As part of this Tech Mahindra says it will provide a framework it calls a ‘Block Ecosystem’. This has various (what it calls) ‘Block’ ‘levers’:
- Block Studio
- Block Engage
- Block Talk
- Block Geeks
- Block Accelerate
- Block Access
- Block Value.
These will be used to create the industry-specific applications. In addition, Tech Mahindra will build Blockchain-Platform-as-a-Service (BPaaS), System Integration and Product Engineering Services on the AWS Blockchain.
Enterprise Times: what does this mean
According to the (Teal) 2020 Supplier Information Study, 81% of supply chain leaders are not completely confident in their supplier data. 60% say it took them four days to update outdated supplier information. This has resulted in missed deadlines, unhappy clients and financial loss. Something needs to happen.
The Tech Mahindra/Amazon collaboration says it focuses on providing solutions that enable digital transformation and meet needs like those described above. If the Block Ecosystem approach works and deployment on the Amazon managed Blockchain works, then Tech Mahindra clients may gain access to relevant blockchain solutions at a far lower cost than trying in house.