A decision framework for decentralised control of distributed processes: Is blockchain the only solution?
Publication Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
6-2019
Abstract
A typical example of a distributed process is trade finance where data and documents are transferred between multiple companies including importers, exporters, carriers and banks. Blockchain is seen as a potential decentralized technology that can be used to automate such distributed processes. However, there are also other competing technologies such as managed file transfers, messaging, and WebAPIs that may also be suitable for automating similar distributed processes. In this chapter, a decision framework is proposed to assist the solution architect in deciding the technology best suited to support decentralised control of a distributed business process where there are multiple companies involved. The framework takes as inputthe different areas of concern such as data, processing, governance and technical, the pros and cons of the technologies in addressing these areas of concerns and provides a method to analyse and highlight the best technology for any process in question. Two example processes, trade finance and price distribution are used to show the application of the framework.
Keywords
Decentralised control, Distributed process, MFT, Messaging, WebAPI, Blockchain, DLT, Business process
Discipline
Databases and Information Systems
Research Areas
Information Systems and Management
Publication
Architectures and Frameworks for Developing and Applying Blockchain Technology
Editor
Shi, Nansi
First Page
1
Last Page
27
ISBN
1522592571
Identifier
10.4018/978-1-5225-9257-0.ch001
Publisher
IGI Global
Citation
GRIFFIN, Paul Robert; MEGARGEL, Alan; and SHANKARARAMAN, Venky.
A decision framework for decentralised control of distributed processes: Is blockchain the only solution?. (2019). Architectures and Frameworks for Developing and Applying Blockchain Technology. 1-27.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/4826
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-9257-0.ch001