IBM to Launch Blockchain Ecosystem While “Rapidly Expanding” Blockchain Capabilities
“Blockchain has the potential to transform the way industries conduct business transactions,” writes IBM in their most recent press release . “This will require a complete ecosystem of industry players working together, allowing businesses to benefit from the network effect of blockchain.”
IBM announced yesterday a blockchain ecosystem intended to make the process of developing a blockchain faster.
“The future growth and adoption of blockchain is reliant upon building a strong ecosystem. Business networks will only reach critical mass when innovators, industry experts and infrastructure providers come together in new ways to reinvent how business transactions happen,” said Bridget Van Kralingen, senior vice president, IBM Industry Platforms. “The growing maturity of the Hyperledger Project code is a major milestone. That’s why IBM is investing to help developers accelerate the creation of blockchain networks by providing an environment where these players can work together.”
Designed for innovators who want to build real world systems, the blockchain ecosystem will feature education modules and tools so it takes less time to execute a blockchain idea. IBM blockchain professionals will be reachable via Hyperledger Fabric Slack channel to help developers and to identify problems.
IBM will also produce courses and learning modules for business users featuring code libraries, smart contract templates and other blockchain enabling tools.
“The IBM blockchain ecosystem is an open environment where organizations can collaborate on shared or complementary technical and business visions using the Hyperledger Fabric, and access education and development support,” the company writes in a press release. “Because blockchain is a network business, an environment where all interested parties can share tools, information and relationships is critical. Start-ups, ISVs and SIs are investing in blockchain and have embraced the Hyperledger Fabric.”
IBM will also host a connect-a-thon on December 17, 2016, using the Hyperledger Fabric v1.0 to set up peers that will operate in a network of networks mode for privacy-rich transactions.
“IBM is rapidly expanding its blockchain capabilities and actively working with companies to understand what it takes to make blockchain ready for business,” the company writes in its statement. “Financial services, supply chains, IoT, risk management, digital rights management and healthcare are some of the areas that are poised for dramatic change using blockchain networks.”
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