Chinese online retail giant JD.com launches blockchain platform for enterprise customers

Chinese ecommerce giant JD.com today announced the launch of a new blockchain platform that will cater to enterprise customers.

Dubbed “JD Blockchain Open Platform”, the platform will enable enterprise customers to build, host and use their own blockchain applications to streamline operational procedures such as tracking and tracing the movement of goods and charity donations, authenticity certification, property assessment, transaction settlements, digital copyrights, and ultimately help enhance productivity.

Built on multiple underlying technologies, the platform will enable customers to create and adjust smart contracts on public and private enterprise clouds with ease. It is designed with “one-click deployment” making it accessible to enterprises even if they do not have the capability to develop their own blockchain solutions.

“JD Blockchain Open Platform, a BaaS platform, houses an application store that provides multiple blockchain bottom layers, tools and software that are developed in-house and by Independent Software Vendors (ISV). JD implements stringent quality control over the offerings on the app store, enabling users to safely and conveniently customize their applications to suit their business needs,” JD.com said in its official announcement.

China Pacific Insurance Company (CPIC) is the first JD partner to use the JD Blockchain Open Platform. CPIC used the platform to deploy a traceable system for “fapiao,” the official receipts required in China for business.

“JD Blockchain Open Platform is a culmination of the expertise and experience in blockchain technology that we initially developed for our own operations, to provide more visibility to consumers,” said Jian Pei, head of big data and smart supply chain at JD.com. “As we continue to open our technology and infrastructure up to other companies, we are pleased to have CIPC as our first blockchain platform customer.”

JD joined the Hyperledger blockchain project in June. Last year, it introduced its blockchain-based traceability platform that enables customers to track and trace products and food along the supply chain. The company said that it has implemented blockchain tracing for over 400 brands and 11,000 SKUs on JD.com.