Telecommunications conglomerate AT&T is diving into the world of enterprise blockchain with a new suite of services for corporates, a result of collaborations with Microsoft and IBM, the company announced this week.
In a press release, AT&T revealed its suite of blockchain solutions to automate and digitize business processes, including streamlined information and data management across an organization and its partners. The company is targeting a range of industries with the services, including retail, healthcare and manufacturing.
The company offered examples of how its solutions might be used in each market. For instance, for retail clients, the technology can be used to authenticate products as they move through the supply chain. For manufacturing, the solutions can track goods through factories to assure quality. In healthcare, the tools can manage patient records.
“Today, businesses are constantly looking to reduce costs, risk and simplify business processes,” AT&T said in its announcement. “Blockchain creates a shared ecosystem across parties to exchange information in [a] way that is permissioned and highly secure.”
AT&T is deploying its Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities to integrate with the IBM Blockchain Platform. On that platform, AT&T will deploy its existing Asset Management Operations Center and connect it to IBM Maximo Network on Blockchain and Maximo Asset Health Insights.
The solutions are also built on Microsoft Azure blockchain technology, AT&T noted, to support a range of blockchain protocols, including Ethereum, Chain and Hyperledger Fabric.
“Blockchain is far more than just bitcoin or cryptocurrency. It’s transforming the way many companies conduct business,” said Andy Daudelin, vice president of Alliances Business Development at AT&T Business, in a statement. “Blockchain improves security and enables better management of transactions through complex processes. Utilizing our global network and IoT capabilities, AT&T enhances blockchain by providing edge-to-edge solutions that automate the tracking, and that can even monitor the environmental conditions throughout the process.”
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors.
Learn More