It is well known to all that IBM and Oracle are eternal rivals among large IT companies. But this time they join forces to work on the innovation of the interoperability of each Blockchain network, through Fabric.
IBM and Oracle are clear that Blockchain interoperability in the sustainability of distributed networks is connected to their ability to interact and integrate.
Basically, if a user of the Blockchain A network sends data to a user in the Blockchain B network, the recipient can read it, understand it and respond without any challenge.
Beginnings of the IBM union – Oracle
The initiative to join began just before the first Global Hyperledger Forum in Basel, Switzerland, at the end of 2018. There, they both joined together to discuss customer use case studies based on Hyperledger Fabric applications and how these issues were addressed.
They also covered how business confidentiality needs and access control integrations for specific authorizations are met.
What does it consist of?
Up to a point, it’s about making Blockchain nodes run in both the IBM and Oracle clouds. In addition, it opens the door to connect the consortiums of companies grouped in the two platforms.
In short, the technical aspects include resolving the exchange of information through networks in a format that the other party can digest.
At present, individual Blockchain ecosystems cannot communicate with each other. For this reason, projects focused on adopting interoperability in their systems are intended to create a platform that allows several Blockchains to communicate efficiently. In addition, these networks will eliminate the need for an intermediary.
Who makes them up?
On the one hand, there is the consortium Oracle Blockchain and CargoSmart Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN). The latter that includes carriers such as CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping Lines and Hapag-Lloyd, and does so through Fabric.
On the other hand, there is IBM and Maersk, which also have CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd as members, as well as MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and Ocean Network Express. These runs on the IBM Blockchain platform based on Fabric.
Both consortiums also include a range of shipping ports worldwide, as well as freight transport companies and the like. Which means that any step towards the harmonization of these projects has a potentially enormous value for industry participants.
goals
Creating consortiums is a difficult job, so it is not surprising that technology providers want to protect big names on their platforms.
That is why the Blockchain teams in IBM, Oracle and SAP, have decided to collaborate to have the best result. They are also quite optimistic about creating a harmony between companies that participate in different implementations of Fabric.
Robust interoperability would provide users with an improved and practical experience.
