A blockchain-based IIoT traceability system: ERC-721 tokens for Industry 4.0

As manufacturing firms increasingly utilize IIoT technologies and sensor data is integrated into their processes, centralized architectures and the expansion of value creation networks pose challenges regarding data integrity and transparency. This offers an application context for the blockchain and smart contract technologies. Through a design science research approach a prototypical instantiation in form of a private Ethereum blockchain with RFID sensors as data inputs and ERC-721 tokens is created. The artifact is implemented into an industrial demonstrator, where the immutable tracking of workpieces during their production processes and the algorithm execution time are evaluated in trial runs.