Managing today’s supply chains—all the links to creating and distributing goods—is extraordinarily complex. Depending on the product， the supply chain can span over hundreds of stages， multiple geographical （international） locations， a multitude of invoices and payments， have several individuals and entities involved， and extend over months of time. Due to the complexity and lack of transparency of our current supply chains， there is interest in how blockchains might transform the supply chain and logistics industry.
　　How is the supply chain broken？
　　 Our current supply chain is broken in several ways. Over a hundred years ago， supply chains were relatively simple because commerce was local， but they have grown incredibly complex. Throughout the history of supply chains there have been innovations such as the shift to haul freight via trucks rather than rail or the emergence of personal computers in the 1980s that led to dramatic shifts in supply chain management. Since manufacturing has been globalised， our supply chains are heavy with their own complexity.
　　 It’s incredibly difficult for customers or buyers to truly know the value of products because there is a significant lack of transparency in our current system. In a similar way， it’s extremely difficult to investigate supply chains when there is suspicion of illegal or unethical practices. They can also be highly inefficient as vendors and suppliers try to connect the dots on who needs what， when and how.
　　What is blockchain and how could it help supply chains？
　　 While the most prominent use of blockchain is in the cryptocurrency， Bitcoin， the reality is that blockchain—essentially a distributed， digital ledger—has many applications and can be used for any exchange， agreements/contracts， tracking and， of course， payment. It’s highly secure since every block links to the one before it and after it. There is not one central authority over the blockchain， and it’s extremely efficient and scalable. Ultimately， blockchain can increase the efficiency and transparency of supply chains and positively impact everything from warehousing to delivery to payment. Chain of command is essential for many things， and blockchain has the chain of command built in.
　　 The very things that are necessary for reliability and integrity in a supply chain are provided by blockchain. Blockchain provides consensus—there is no dispute in the chain regarding transactions because all entities on the chain have the same version of the ledger. Everyone on the blockchain can see the chain of ownership for an asset on the blockchain. Records on the blockchain cannot be erased， which is important for a transparent supply chain. 　　Examples of blockchain being used in supply chains today
　　 Since blockchains allow for transfer of funds anywhere in the world without the use of a traditional bank， it’s very convenient for a supply chain that is globalized. That’s exactly how Australian vehicle manufacturer Tomcar pays its suppliers—through Bitcoin.
　　 In the food industry， it’s imperative to have solid records to trace each product to its source. So， Walmart uses blockchain to keep track of its pork it sources from China and the blockchain records where each piece of meat came from， processed， stored and its sell-by-date. Unilever， Nestle， Tyson and Dole also use blockchain for similar purposes.
　　 BHP Billiton， the world’s largest mining firm， announced it will use blockchain to better track and record data throughout the mining process with its vendors. Not only will it increase efficiency internally， but it allows the company to have more effective communication with its partners.
　　 The transparency of blockchain is also crucial to allow consumers to know they are supporting companies who they share the same values of environmental stewardship and sustainable manufacturing. This is what the project Provenance hopes to provide with its blockchain record of transparency.
　　 Diamond-giant De Beers uses blockchain technology to track stones from the point they are mined right up to the point when they are sold to consumers. This ensures the company avoids ‘conflict’ or ‘blood diamonds’1 and assures the consumers that they are buying the genuine article.
　　 There are several supply chain startups such as Cloud Logistics who saw an opportunity to provide blockchain-enabled supply chain solutions to improve efficiencies and reduce costs for the massive supply chain industry. More will most certainly join them as they realize the potential and demand for blockchain-enabled solutions to transform the supply chain and logistics industry.                   ■
　　現在的供应链涵盖从产品制造到分销的所有环节，管理起来极其复杂。依据产品类别，供应链可以包含数以百计的步骤，跨越（不同国别的）多个地点，需要多次处理交易票据和支付事宜，许多人或单位参与其中，往往会历时数月之久。当今的供应链非常复杂，透明度也不高，因此，区块链将会如何改变供应链和物流业引发了关注。
　　供应链出现了哪些变化？
　　当今的供应链已经在若干方面发生变化。一百多年前，商业活动局限在某一区域，因此供应链相对简单。时至今日，供应链已经变得十分复杂。供应链发展历史上曾经出现多次革新，比如，卡车运输取代了铁路运输;20世纪80年代个人电脑出现，又给供应链管理带来了翻天覆地的变化。由于制造业的全球化，供应链自身充满复杂性。
　　现有供应链系统极度不透明，客户或买家很难真正了解产品的价值。同样，出现疑似违法或不道德行为时，对供应链展开调查也极为困难。另外，每当经销商和供应商试图将客户、产品、交易时间以及供货方式这些因素串联起来，现有的供应链也会显得极为低效。 　　何为区块链？区块链会如何改善供应链现状？
　　区块链主要应用于加密货币，即比特币，但事实上，其本质为一个分布式数字账本，具有多种用途，可以适用于任何形式的交易、协议/合同，以及产品追踪，当然，支付环节也不例外。它安全可靠，因为每一区块都链接到其前后区块。区块链中没有中心化的权威机构，因此还具备高效性和可扩展性。总而言之，区块链可以提高供应链的效率，增强其透明度，为其从仓储、运输再到支付的所有环节带来积极变化。很多情况下指挥链不可或缺，而区块链具有内置的指挥链。
　　区块链使得供应链必备的可靠性和完整性有了保障。区块链实现了数据同步——因为链条上的所有实体共用同一分类账簿，所以各类交易不会存在争议。区块链上的每个人都可以看到资产的所有权链。区块链上的记录无法擦除，这对确保供应链的透明性极其重要。
　　目前區块链在供应链中的应用实例
　　区块链无须通过传统的银行系统，即可在世界任何地方进行资金转移，这对全球化的供应链来说非常便利。澳大利亚汽车制造商汤姆卡恰恰借此优势，用比特币向其供应商付款。
　　在食品行业，追踪每一产品的来源并且留下可靠记录是至关重要的。因此，沃尔玛使用区块链技术跟踪其从中国采购的猪肉，区块链记录了每块肉的产地、加工方式、储藏方式以及保质期。联合利华、雀巢、泰森食品和都乐食品也运用区块链技术进行食品溯源。
　　全球最大采矿企业必和必拓已经宣布，将运用区块链技术，与经销商一起，更加密切地跟踪并记录整个采矿过程中的数据。这样不仅可以提高内部效率，而且可以改进公司与其合作伙伴的沟通效果。
　　区块链公开透明，能够让客户获知，他们正支持在环境管理和可持续制造方面与自己拥有相同价值理念的公司，这一点至关重要。这也是“溯源”计划提供区块链透明度记录的目的所在。
　　钻石巨擘戴比尔斯运用区块链技术，对钻石进行全程追踪——从开采开始，直至卖到顾客手中。这样可以确保公司不会出现“冲突钻石”或“血腥钻石”，也能确保消费者买到正品。
　　云物流等供应链初创公司发现了这一商机。他们意识到对于大型供应链产业而言，将区块链应用于供应链可以提高效率、降低成本。一旦人们认识到运用区块链改变供应链和物流业的潜力和需求，肯定还会有更多人参与其中。          □
　　（译者单位：中央民族大学）