Blockchain group adds SMC³, Orbcomm

Logistics technology trade group Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) said today it has added two new members, partnering with freight-pricing software firm SMC³ Inc. and asset tracking and Internet of things (IoT) provider Orbcomm Inc.

BiTA has been bringing together a range of industry stakeholders to examine blockchain's ability to support secure data sharing in the transportation, supply chain, and logistics markets. The group added Canadian parcel delivery and logistics company Purolator Inc. yesterday, and now has a membership roll including more than 230 companies spanning truckload, less than truckload (LTL), and parcel carriers; insurance companies; finance firms; technology startups; and e-commerce merchants.

Peachtree City, Ga.-based SMC³ said it would support the group's technology goals, such as developing blockchain standards for transportation applications, establishing a dialogue about blockchain's logistics use cases, and educating the industry about blockchain trends.

Rochelle Park, N.J.-based Orbcomm is the first telematics provider to join the alliance. The company said it will support the use of shared distributed ledger technology—a description of blockchain's functionality—for freight-industry applications in logistics management, asset tracking, and transaction processing.

According to Orbcomm, incorporating blockchain technology into the transportation supply chain could improve end-to-end visibility, streamline manual paper operations, ensure data integrity and security, enhance communications, and optimize efficiency.