The platform will discover non-traditional suppliers who have pivoted to supplies sorely need for combating COVID-19.

As the coronavirus pandemic rolls across the globe it has created a severe shortage of supplies for COVID-19. These are masks, gowns, sanitizers, test kits, gloves, ventilators, thermal scanners, consumables, medicines, and more. The huge unmet demand has attracted many new suppliers. These people have shifted from their usual line of business to make and/or supply these products for COVID-19. IBM (NYSE: IBM) has established a blockchain-based platform to bring these new suppliers and COVID-19 buyers together. (PYMNTS.com)

The new blockchain network is dubbed IBM Rapid Supplier Connect.

Platform available for use at zero cost up to August 31, 2020

According to IBM, large-scale buyers such as hospitals, state procurement divisions, pharmacies, and others could get in touch with the non-traditional suppliers through the Rapid Supplier Connect platform. The buyers could also assess the suppliers’ capabilities, onboard them, and view their online inventory availability.

There could also be a buyer-to-another-buyer interaction on excess unused inventory. One buyer’s surplus inventory could be a lifesaver for another.

Real-time inventory status amidst COVID urgency

“Real-time insight into a volatile and uncertain supply chain is never simple, and with the challenges of the current global situation, IBM harnessed the Trust Your Supplier blockchain-based identity platform built by Chainyard for qualification and identification, in conjunction with its existing Sterling Supply Chain Suite and highly scalable Inventory Visibility microservice to deliver this increased visibility,” IBM said in a statement.

In August last year, IBM and blockchain consultancy Chainyard launched a new blockchain network for supply chain management called Trust Your Supplier.

“Through Trust Your Supplier, both buyers and suppliers will see the procurement benefits of blockchain through reductions in cost, complexity, and speed,” said Renee Ure, Chief Supply Chain Officer for Lenovo’s Data Center Group, at the time.

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