The term blockchain is often associated with cryptocurrencies. However, in addition to being crypto technology, it has other uses, such as NFTs, smart contracts (written in code and self-executing), etc. For its part, Orange has decided to test a way of using the blockchain to secure its interventions.
First, a small definition. Simply put, blockchain is a decentralized database, or ledger. As we explained in a previous article, the information is not stored on a central server, it is distributed over a network of computers.
And it is this decentralized side that makes this information tamper-proof. Indeed, modifying the information on one computer would be useless, since it would not modify the data stored by the entire network (unless the same modification is made on 51% of the computers).
The fact that the blockchain can store almost tamper-proof information not only secures cryptocurrencies and NFTs, it is also a good way to secure histories. And that is what interests Orange.
How the blockchain invites itself on the interventions
According to our colleagues from Usine Digitale, the operator is experimenting with the use of connected glasses by intervention technicians. In addition to the fact that these glasses allow the technician to be guided remotely, they also record a video.
And the blockchain, in all of this, will make it possible to guarantee the authenticity of these records. How ? The videos are saved in the cloud, but they will be associated with keys stored in the blockchain.
In case of tampering, by modifying the video, the “hash” or the unique fingerprint of the file would be modified. And this falsification can be proven by comparing with the key that has been stored in the blockchain. According to the explanations of Usine Digitale, it would be a way of “notarizing” or “bailiffing” the interventions of technicians. But that’s not all.
Access tokens for a room
Indeed, the operator would also like to use the blockchain to generate tokens, or tokens, which would allow technicians access to premises for an intervention. In essence, before the intervention, the token is generated, then stored in the technician’s smartphone, via a wallet. Then, this token can be used to access a room to which this technician does not normally have access.
Quoted by Usine Digitale, Philippe Delbary, director of Orange Innovation in charge of the Future of Work program, the goal would be to reduce the number of technical knockouts (interventions that could not be carried out). For the moment, these are experiments. But as crypto values crashed in 2022, these examples give us a glimpse of how blockchain will be used in tomorrow’s workplace.
Otherwise, it should be remembered that we also have interesting uses of technology in the field of luxury, to verify the authenticity and the owner of a product.