Mercedes Benz will Use Blockchain to Improve its Administrative Processes

Maria Rodríguez
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Mercedes Benz will Use Blockchain to Improve its Administrative Processes

The company’s idea is to increase security and transparency with its suppliers, to implement a stronger process

One of the most important automobile companies in Germany, Daimler Financial Services AG, responsible for the prestigious Mercedes Benz brand, recently published that they have made important efforts in order to implement blockchain technology to improve, optimize and maintain their processes in the different chains of supply.

According to recent press releases, on February 25th it was known that the multinational German vehicle brand would have made an important alliance with the blockchain solutions company and smart contract management service provider, Icertis. Their main objective is to create the right platform to manage complex processes in the company’s supply chains.

Among the main features of the platform created for the automobile company is managing information intelligently, as well as storing documents and contracts vital to its supply chain and suppliers. It is expected that very soon the platform tests will begin in a pilot mode to establish the correct and proper functioning of the blockchain platform.

With the creation of this important technological tool, the main interest of Daimler Financial Services AG is to generate a special template in which the clauses of the contracts are specified to the different suppliers, in order to create a complete file of transactions.

This seeks to standardize hiring practices together with all the minimum requirements set by the company, which hopes to support its future hiring through this platform and adhere to a traceable and verifiable system in which all members can access the network information organized on the blockchain platform.

According to the press report, for the multinational this represents a tool that will provide the security and development found in its vision of growth. The prototype that the company hopes to implement will improve and simplify the procedures when making a purchase, and will also generate greater trust among those involved.

The central idea is to transmit and share information only with authorized personnel, in order to develop the purchase without the risk of leaking any relevant data, which will shield the transactions with its partners.

The company explained that if some of its partners deviate from the contract clauses, the system would put it in evidence, to provide a higher index of security and reach the objective of a stronger protection.

Wilko Stark, member of the Divisions Administration team of Mercedes-Benz Cars, highlighted that the project has a good acceptance among the company’s high command and stressed that blockchain technology has great potential to boost the trust between the company and suppliers.

“Supply chains are becoming increasingly complex. With our blockchain prototype, we are in the first step testing one of the various possible applications with the aim of increasing transparency beyond our direct suppliers”, he said.

Despite the recent press report, many details of the project are still unknown. However, it is expected that after the pilot tests are completed, more details about the technological tool will be given.

By María Victoria Rodríguez

University of California Proposes Using Blockchain for Clinical Data Registration

Maria Rodríguez
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University of California Proposes Using Blockchain for Clinical Data Registration

The system developed by researchers seeks to generate methods that allow reporting unfavorable events recorded during a medical investigation

According to a report published by the international scientific journal Nature, in February, some researchers from the University of California seek to promote the use of blockchain technology to control and record clinical data relevant to the health system.

The document published by the journal is a detailed summary of the research that has been developed by medical scientists at the University of California, in San Francisco. The file explains in a precise way the method to share medical information using a blockchain technology network which seeks the wide crossing of information between qualified users, in a safe and immutable way.

The research, which was developed within the University of California, resulted in the creation of an ideal blockchain platform, which is able to improve the traceability and stability of the clinical data that are being developed in the different medical investigations, as well as the information of use common for medical diagnosis, patient history, among other aspects. All this makes the system a complete and competent tool for the adequate safeguarding of data, notably improving the registration and management methods.

It was known that, although conventional blockchain systems do not allow information to be renewed or modified, the system developed by these researchers may allow an applicability tool to be granted when reporting an event happened during the investigation.

It should be noted that, unlike the conventional systems of the blockchain technology, when it is an error in the investigation, or that there has been a need to modify data already entered in the block, this system will allow changes or corrections.

In this way, the system can enable the option to reload the information, but without modifying or overwriting the existing data. The objective is not to leave the parameters and the advantageous qualities offered by this technology.

The test trials on this new method of medical registration proposed by the researchers consisted on the launch of a free web portal that project participants could use to collect their research data in real time. As well as taking control and continuous storage of the interaction between patients and clinical investigators.

Then, the data is recorded in a new block where it is safe and unmodifiable. An algorithm established by the researchers will process all this data.

According to the report of the scientific article, “the storage of data from the chain of blocks will be achieved by duplicating and distributing the chain to physically separate machines and data warehouses to be managed by the regulator”.

This is not the first time that specific research has been conducted in order to use blockchain technology in the advanced medical area. In February, several press reports reported that the company Bitfury, dedicated to blockchain technology, had made an important association with the radiology market Blockchain Medical Diagnostic Web, to implement a blockchain system which allowed to share and protect diagnostic images as tomographies and computerized x-rays.

By María Victoria Rodríguez

Use of Cryptocurrencies in Kenya and other African Countries Continues Increasing

Maria Rodríguez
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Use of Cryptocurrencies in Kenya and other African Countries Continues Increasing

According to reports from the BBC, Bitcoin (BTC), DASH and Lisk (LSK) are the most widely used cryptocurrencies in Kenya and in other African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

It is known that in recent years the governments of African countries have implemented strong restrictions to their citizens regarding the use of cryptoactives. In the case of the Republic of Kenya, the Government and the Central Bank of that country have had important discussions about how to regulate and manage these assets in their territory.

In Kenya, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), which is in charge of regulating financial matters, has warned its citizens in all possible ways about the “risk” of having or using these assets. In addition, the Government has reported that it is not responsible for scams and value drops of cryptocurrencies in the global market.

However, and with respect to these warnings and suggestions, the crypto markets in these countries continue to increase. In fact, some commercial establishments accept payments in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) or DASH.

It is believed that the main reason for the boom this new technology is having in that country is due to the instability of its economy as well as the constant financial crisis it is going through. This has led many of their citizens to choose to manage their savings and invest their money in cryptocurrencies. According to economic reports, in countries such as Kenya is difficult for their citizens to enter the local banking and financial system.

Faced with warnings from the Government and the Central Bank, many big businessmen have had doubts about whether to enter the crypto market. Despite this, small and medium businesses have allowed the use of this global financial tool as an instrument of growth and stability.

One example of this is Tony Mwongera, who is Executive Director of a spa in Nairobi, in Kenya’s Capital. Mwongera says that his business has had an important income since he implemented the cryptocurrency payment system.

In addition, the executive details that this has served to keep more secure the money which goes into his business to keep his finances in a financial system or in a much more stable currency than the local one and sheltered from insecurity. “I decided to adopt the use of cryptocurrencies because there was a lot of theft in my business (…) So I said, let me use a form that can be safe and that can also adopt the technology”, he says.

About the official data on the handling and volume of transactions in Kenya, LocalBitcoin showed statistics regarding the increasing transactions that take place in that country. According to these data, on February 16th of this year there was a commercial flow of approximately 29,701,339 Kenyan shillings, equivalent to about 297,000 US dollars.

With respect to the regulation and management of cryptocurrencies in the African country, Paul Muthaura, Executive Director of CMA, assures that cryptoactives are not completely prohibited in that country and that the institution supports the use of this tool and encourages its implementation.

However, he clarified that, as an institution, he cannot participate in projects related to cryptoactives. “In the validation we have 70 companies, some from outside of Kenya. Blockchain firms will be considered whilst they are not dealing with cryptocurrencies since the mandate of the CMA does not extend to the currency”, he concluded.

By María Victoria Rodríguez

The Use of Blockchain Technology in Personnel Selection

Maria Rodríguez
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The Use of Blockchain Technology in Personnel Selection

The implementation of blockchain technology in the management and control of personnel selection could be very useful in different aspects. There are some proyects about this topic

In many fields of commercial and financial life, the most recent technological advances have been used to simplify and improve processes that were previously completely difficult and cumbersome. The significant use and advances of blockchain technology have led to a large number of significant changes in all scenarios of common life, but more firmly in professional and commercial life.

In this sense, tools based on these new digital technologies have been developed to optimize administrative processes such as the selection of professional personnel and human talent for companies. This happens due to the constant change, growth or depreciation of national and multinational companies that must hire personnel almost constantly in the changing commercial world. Regarding said cases, the use of blockchain technology could be a very effective and safe solution.

Bockchain technology could be very useful for the talent selection process that companies perform before hiring staff. This would make it easier to check references of candidates, verify credentials, certify personal data and even create and / or update contracts, among many other activities that can transform the forms of recruitment of personnel in companies.

Regarding this matter, these new technologies would allow exchanging information only between two parties, without the need to use intermediaries safely and quickly. Additionally, said technologies also generate a much more reliable system and at lower cost. According to a study about the use of blockchain technology in the workplace, CompTIA found that 51% of people who currently use blockchain technology seek to verify data of digital identities.

On the other hand, this digital technology can be used to update professional contracts, through the use of so-called smart contracts; this could be the most useful application for the area of ​​Human Resources. “The ability to activate and deactivate a contract with a particular employee and the possibility of defining the conditions in advance can be very attractive actions for workers, but also for the company”, says Gareth Brown, Senior Director of the consulting department of the company sector of new technology in Deloitte.

Brown also says that blockchain technology can also be used for payroll, but that this idea is still under development and it is too early to incorporate the approach to this aspect. “It’s probably a bit far away but there are already examples based on the premise that the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency market is stable enough to use these currencies for payroll. In the long term, if those markets stabilize, I imagine we’ll see more payroll systems based on blockchain technology”.

Despite all the possible advantages and benefits of moving the old systems of selection and registration to new digital technologies, the company must be completely sure that it wants to implement these solutions to business platforms.

This is what Jacky Carter, Director of Group Digital Engagement at Hays, a leading professional recruitment company, says. “We would have to be 100% satisfied that the system is stable and secure, the lives and identities of the people are at stake. For the moment, we try to follow technology closely as it evolves, understand how it works, assess its reliability and see how it could affect our world”.

By María Victoria Rodríguez

A Private City in Norway Will Have its Own Cryptocurrency

Maria Rodríguez
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A Private City in Norway Will Have its Own Cryptocurrency

Liberstad is a private city with a certain autonomy, however it is not a state and must be governed by the Norwegian laws

According to a press release issued by the Norwegian city of Liberstad, on February 12th, it was known that its entire economy will be based on cryptoactives. For this reason, the private city decided to create its own cryptocurrency.

Through a press release issued by the city authorities, it is estimated that this city will use a cryptocurrency as the official currency and main method of payment for the acquisition of goods, payment of taxes and services. Additionally, it will be the main financial mechanism for municipal buildings.

Liberstad is a private city that stands on its own. It was originally founded in 2017 and was institutionalized through the result of the Libertania project (project with foundations focused on freedom and nonviolence). Unlike other cities in other countries, this is a property because it belongs to private organizations and particular individuals.

In the main case of this city, which is located in the south of Norway, it self-supplies everything it needs; it also manages its own public services. Among the main association which administers the city is Liberstad Drift Association, whose Head, John Toralf Holmesland, comments that this idea is based on the constituted principles of freedom. “We want a society where people decide for themselves and can live together without government authorities. We want a society without government coercion, blackmail, vigilance or unnecessary violence”, Toralf concluded.

The official cryptocurrency created by the city for its economy will be called City Coin, (CITY). According to its developers, the central intention, this is, to achieve a correct economic flow, is to exchange currencies towards other cryptocurrencies or fiduciary money, for this reason the Liberstad Block Exchange platform was created, in order to also ensure the complete sustainability of the city.

In another sense, a report explained that the climatic conditions where the city is located are beneficial for digital mining. In addition, some people in the city have even developed projects to promote mining activity.

In the information portal about the new cryptocurrency, it is reported that a single official exchange house was established and that, due to the novelty of the tool, a quotation of US $ 0.12 per unit was arbitrarily fixed. Jointly, this will set the rate at which the minimum hourly wage of the workers would be calculated.

The Blockchain of City Coin

The blockchain platform that the city will use for the operation of its cryptocurrency is called City Chain. According to the creators of the cryptoactive this will access “the design, implementation, and use of next generation services for smart cities and their habitants” and will be used mainly for the municipal registry of properties, registration of documents, insurance, and notaries.

A web system was also set up that will have an interface named as City Hub, which will be a tool that will facilitate the necessary processes in the digital wallets of the users.

By María Victoria Rodríguez

Binance Launches Charity Project Based on Blockchain to Feed African Children

Maria Rodríguez
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Binance Launches Charity Project Based on Blockchain to Feed African Children

The capital used will be free of corruption. The blockchain platform is active on the official website of Binance, to receive the donations that will drive these initiatives

Through a publication made on February 21st in the official blog of the company Binance, the charitable project that will feed African children through a tool based on blockchain technology was announced.

Through the charity organization of the famous exchanges company, Binance Charity Foundation (BCF), a technological solution was recently launched. It will bring free food to more than 200 African children studying in very low-income schools in Kampala, capital of Uganda. According to the organization’s publication, the goal is to bring two meals a day to the children and staff working at the school throughout the year 2019.

The food project in Uganda is just a pilot test of what the charity has among its plans, since it is only part of the purpose they have set. Binance seeks to develop the project on a larger scale over the medium term. They estimate that they can take food to more than one million student children in schools countries in need such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda.

The company revealed that the blockchain system they will use is a platform designed and developed by them with support on their own platform, to receive donations from their users and customers. The platform that collects the money is directly related to the funds of the BCF organization, which promises to distribute the money to the most vulnerable sectors.

Through a publication issued by the organization, it was known that the fundraising campaign began during the week of January in which Binance Blockchain was developed in Singapore.

In the same sense, the press highlighted that the distribution of donations began during a ceremonial event attended by more than 500 people who participated in the project. Among them, special emphasis is given to the initial partners of the BCF idea, who are non-profit organizations such as Dream Building Service, and the blockchain company with privacy and security solutions, ZCoin.

Shortly after the event, it was known that the blockchain firm ZCoin made a substantial donation in cryptocurrencies valued at 24,000 US dollars, in order to support the start of the social project, which began with the Jolly Mercy Learning Center in Kampala.

On the other hand, Rosemary Nansubuga Seninde, who is Minister of State for Primary Education in Uganda, stressed that this initiative is not only a donation, but an effective tool that will allow the protection of the capital used, which will be safeguarded of any kind of corruption.

This initiative of charity is not the first one that the signature of exchages Binance develops. In October last year the company revealed that it received a donation of more than three million dollars, made by the Tron Foundation, which was directly provided to BCF with the intention of supporting terminally ill patients and children in need in Gozo and Malta.

By María Victoria Rodríguez

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