Today, blockchain technology has spurred innovation about how businesses run in the industries. Thus, what was once deemed relevant only to Bitcoins had widely shifted to various businesses in almost every sector owing to its benefits.
So, what is blockchain really? At a very simple level perhaps one might think of it as an emergent decentralized platform for digital ledgering. It will record transactions in a protected way and permanently in transparency. Thus, none of it can be erased by anyone.
Only last week, I went to one of the birthday celebration places near me on invite. And there, I met a friend who knows and works with blockchain technology. There were just so many things he had to tell me on how this technology is improving various industries. So, now, in this article, let’s look into four ways blockchain technology can benefit any industry:
1. Improved Security
Any business, whether finance or retail, makes the greatest investment in security. Blockchain makes any data tamper-proof. Therefore, it raises the level of security. Each transaction made using blockchain technology is stored on block and is linked to previous blocks. Thus, it creates a chain of information. Further, whenever there is any change in a block, it reflects in the entire chain.
For example, in the financial sectors, blockchain technology ensures that the customers’ sensitive information is kept private. In this way, it checks and prevents fraud activities. Remember, there is a difference between blockchains and traditional databases. In case of the latter, hackers can easily gain access. So, they can steal portions of the data.
However, the decentralization aspect of blockchain places fewer opportunities for hackers to penetrate into the database. Similarly, the blockchain regarding patient records in the health industry will be more secure and accessible to the authorized officers. Additionally, there is a lesser probability of data breaches occurring.
2. Greater Transparency
Yet another promising feature brought about by blockchain technology is increase in transparency. Since these transactions are a public record, any person inside can verify and track them. That would be good for these industry sectors where trust is critical. Few common examples can include sectors like supply chain management or finance.
For instance, applying blockchain to food industries will trace the process from the farm up to any man’s table. It will indicate to the consumer how and when their food products were harvested and how they moved. All these would create confidence in customer relationships. Thus, companies will create closer relations with customers.
Like finance, blockchain indeed provides real-time tracking of transactions. It means that auditing can be smoothened and made reliable. The companies will not need to wait for third-party verification. To make things easier, the data will be present in the blockchain already!
Blockchain technology can help reduce fraud while promoting accountability. By offering greater transparency, it gives so much value to any industry!
3. Increased Efficiencies and Speed
Most industrial processes, especially in the banking and insurance industries, are very lengthy and drawn out. They involve chain after chain of middlemen, paper, and a countless number of verifications. Blockchain may streamline such processes or perhaps eliminate much of their middlemen and cut down transaction times.
For example, blockchain technologies in banking will speed up payments. Now, one does not have to chase a central authority for such transactions. This means cross-border payments, which normally take days to clear, can now take minutes using blockchain. In this respect, that level of velocity and efficiency may go a long way. It will prove very useful for businesses whose needs depend on fast and accurate transactions.
One thing that is remarkable about the technology is how easily buyers can sell and buy in real estate. Here, automatic exchange of property occurs. Thus, there is no need for lawyers or brokers to finalize any sale. So, this will save the buyers and sellers time and money.
Blockchain makes things easy as it aids in automating processes. It reduces third-party involvement. Thus, it is an excellent solution for companies interested in upgrading speed and performance.
4. Cost Reduction
Blockchain is going to cost a lot of things across industries to businesses. Blockchain eliminates intermediaries and automates several processes. Thus, it saves the need for third-party services as well as labor.
For example, firms dealing with supply chains must pay enormous amounts of money to track the commodities moving from one location to another. Now, all this can be automated through the block chain. Hence, only a few purchases may have to be reviewed by physical or human means. This saves money for the companies.
All procedures about claims can be carried out through blockchain by means of smart contracts of insurance. If the claim is filed, all the details will get automatically verified. Then the payment will get done without any interference by a human adjuster. The administration costs will be reduced. Moreover, the process involved in handling claims will hasten with higher customer satisfaction.
In this way, it saves the cost that a blockchain may incur. Now, it will benefit the industries by keeping the operations of businesses at their lowest possible costs. This will help in maintaining companies in the market.
Conclusion
In fact, blockchain technologies provide a special advantage for any industry to consider. Blockchain can be considered among the main approaches toward increasing security and transparency, efficiency, and decreasing costs. Companies welcoming blockchain can easily complete their processes. They can increase customer trust, reduce risks related to an operational setting, and acquire a head start in a competitive business environment.
With progress, blockchain is going to have leaps in the applications towards more and more industries realizing it’s worth. Be it finance, health care, or supply chain management, blockchain technology can prove to be that silver lining for your business ventures. With the help of it, you can easily get in the lead.
Given that technology is evolving so rapidly, the use of blockchain technology can do wonders for your business. So, go ahead and implement it in your business processes today!