Supply Chains

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Simple to Flexible Information Sharing Automation 

A supply chain discussion is a multi faceted discussion based on perspective, information needs and secure sharing. The images illustrates how the automation of information sharing processes is evolving from simple 1 to 1 sharing to automated to multi domain sharing.

Yesterday

Yesterday example illustrated how companies each had their own data sets (databases). Each company agrees on a 1 to 1 basis what information is shared with one another. There were few standards and security risks related to data sharing are based on each companies risk profile capabilities. Limited automation of gathering, sharing and enhancements exist.

Today

The centralized data base is best viewed as a cloud solution designed by a group, consortium or business sector. A common set of requirements have been agreed upon along with usage rights, cost, security and liabilities.

The system is based on a group needs as opposed to individual business processes and information data sets.  Automated processes related to data exchange are supported based on the common data sets and industry standards. Significant data sharing advantages exist along with security and costs advantages.

Tomorrow

The title "Tomorrow" was selected to illustrate a business (and technical) need and desire for more secure and flexible data sharing. In this model, businesses data is collected based on a common abstract "ontology" or information sharing model. This information model allows each business to build a custom supply chain with common data understanding. Business processes are unique as are data sets. 

A common data sharing model makes it possible to selectively share information between different domain companies based on mutual or industry need.  SPDX provides a common data sharing language and model supports multi domain or universal data sharing. Sharing can be pushed or pulled based on automation services.

Chaining Information 

Universal data sharing is one of many issues related to supply chain operations and automation. Another big issue is "Chaining information". 

Chaining information is complex because different companies, domains and information sets must be combined and shared from the start to end of a supply chain.

What is an origin?

Knowing the origin of a product is important. Who, what, how and when a product was created, how it was delivered and when it was received is a start but how will that information be moved from origin to end user is an important challenge.

Uranium Supply Chain 

Uranium is a critical element used around the world for creating energy in various forms. It is mandatory that the origin, production, refinement and shipping processes be tracked in detail to ensure regulatory compliance is met.  It is also important to track sales chains of sellers and buyers. Disposal, storage and decommissioning of material is all reordered. A great deal of information needs to be captured and tagged related to an item from start to disposal and beyond.

There are many question that need to answered related to who, what, when, where, how and why a product exists. It all starts with the creation process such as uniquely tagging a product when it is mined. Tracking and documenting information points related to a specific product ID over the life of the product is the goal. The challenge includes:

• How do you attach information to a specific item?

• What information is attached at each stage to meet regulatory compliance?

• How do you tagged confidential information from being shared?

• How is information accessed? How do you verify and create proof related to data access and process?

• How do you deal with product information and custody tracking related to 3rd parties such as transport companies?

• How many different parties will require of receive product information during the life of a specific item?

The amount or complexity of information tracking is important but the more important is the fact this is possible. We simple need to change the way we think about information and the sharing of information.

SysAuditors, Suppliers and Product

Running SysAuditor on any piece of hardware produces an inventory of product names, IDs (SN, etc.), company names, and much more. As the supply chain matures, chain information can be carried in or with a product through the enitre product life cycle. 

The Action Methodology integrated into the SPDX hardware and supply chain includes the base elements needed to carry and pass information from agent to agent through the entire supply chain. 

Different agents add to the graph

The SysAuditor reads, records and inventories this complete chain so that companies have proof of process and operations.

Security and Data Sharing

SPDX is an ideal data sharing platform for supply chains. Security is a critical issue when sharing information. 

Data Centric Security secures individual data elements for data element targeting and security. Data tagging and data sematic definitions allow data to be shared on a granular level while securely sharing data with different targets (users).

The use of identifiers, hashes and keys are standard security elements incorporated into data sharing architectures. These solutions are delivered as part of a secure architecture by Smart Talk Beacon.