Enterprise Digitalization and Blockchain-based Smart Contracts

It is necessary to understand the fundamentals of Ethereum Smart Contracts and digitalization to realize the importance and
impact of this technology. We can start by answering questions such as what is
Blockchain? Why is it different? What is
Ethereum? And what are
Smart Contracts?
Blockchain
Blockchain is a decentralized, unchangeable, immutable database used for tracking transactions and assets in a network. It uses
consensus algorithms that work in a distributed manner to securely validate and add new transactions onto the database and prevent
bad ones. Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are among the pioneers, but many aspects make Ethereum different from Bitcoin.
Ethereum
The practical applications of the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem are not offered by Bitcoin, which provides more value and features
for Ethereum users. The Ethereum ecosystem includes encoding possibilities to make self-executing Smart Contracts that communicate
with other applications.
Smart Contracts
Smart Contracts are the conditions of an agreement, similar to any paper-based contract, with the terms carried out as code running
on a blockchain, as opposed to traditional contracts. Smart Contracts send and receive money, without the involvement of any third
party, by enabling secure automation and decentralization. Smart contracts also offer security, trustworthiness, and transparency
because they operate on a Blockchain.
Various businesses are now considering the utilization of Ethereum-based Smart Contracts as they offer simpler transactions and
increased security. The
investments in Blockchain technology by the corporate and governmental sector grew 89% year on year in 2019.
Blockchain Technology in Business
A company can use Blockchain technology in various scenarios to boost its growth, such as using Ethereum in supply chain management.
It connects suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors using a decentralized and transparent process; enables tracking of the origin
and destination of tangible goods; and makes inventory management simpler.
There is widespread fraud in business and identifying the offenders is challenging due to the lack of transparency around the exchange
of money and its final destination. However, Ethereum's Smart Contracts can effortlessly keep track of and record every transaction in
business. The global food supply industry could save around $31 billion by 2024 by tracking food shipments using Blockchain technology,
according to a
Juniper Research
study released in late 2019.
Criticism on Blockchain Technology
A primary criticism of Bitcoin and Ethereum blockchains is their astronomical energy consumption due to
Proof of Work
consensus. Ethereum recently moved to
Proof of Stake consensus mechanism
to validate and introduce new blocks resulting in a significant reduction in the energy requirement to add blocks and improving its feasibility
for commercial applications.
Currently, many global and international businesses are utilizing the potential of Ethereum-based features to boost their operations and
transactions. Amalto (now part of
Sidetrade), a top data management business,
uses enterprise blockchains to create a platform for order-to-cash (ticket-based) procedures for automation in the oil and gas sector. Amalto's
former President and Founder
Jean-Pierre Foehn said in an interview with
The Fuse forum that “by leveraging blockchain for the exchange of B2B documents, we transform, we convert, and we validate, and as a result,
supplier experience significant benefits, including quicker payment, cost reductions, and cash-flow management."
Travel business company
Webjet is also using Blockchain to streamline the resolution
of transaction disputes in the travel sector. The travel industry's biggest concern is its reservation conflicts.
Webjet's
Rezchain project will provide data reconciliation for the sector,
powered by Enterprise Ethereum, which will enable a seamless flow of transactions immune to errors.

Figure 1. Weekly Ethereum Smart Contract Creations (Source:
Dune.com)
Figure 1. Weekly Ethereum Smart Contract Creations (Source:
Dune.com)
The world of Blockchain, Ethereum, and Smart Contracts is like an ocean, and we have just started exploring the first few drops of this
technology. The weekly Ethereum Smart Contracts creations have grown from low 100s in 2015 to more than hundred-thousands nowadays (See
Figure 1), but there is still a lot of room for creativity, freedom, and innovation.