Mary Amakihi 
The Rise of Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS): A Paradigm Shift for Enterprises
Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) is a low-tech, cost-effective option for businesses wishing to incorporate Blockchain into their services and products. We will discuss the rise of blockchain-as-a-service technology and how it makes for a shift for enterprises.
Blockchain is a distributed database that maintains all cryptocurrency transaction data. This indicates that a single person or institution does not control the data.
The data is also open to the public, so anyone can access it. This is why it is frequently referred to as a public digital ledger. While there is more to it than that, it provides a fair mental image of how a blockchain operates.
Leaving aside the environmental issues and crypto frauds (which, trust me, we’ll get to), Blockchain may be used for many reasons, including asset monitoring, event and transaction recording, and identity verification — all within an easily auditable framework.
The advantages are obvious: it makes it highly impossible for anyone to commit fraud and makes the system more transparent.
Because each entry on the chain contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, updating any information in the Blockchain requires modifying all following blocks.
That would necessitate massive computational power, and blockchain users would detect the process almost quickly.
Blockchain development is an intriguing technology that, under the right conditions, may be deployed as a commercial solution. And, like with other cloud-based services, there are numerous possibilities, including the Blockchain as a service (BaaS) model.
Review the fundamentals and see what you may achieve by adding Blockchain to your initiatives.
What is Blockchain-as-a-Service?
Blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) is the establishment and operation of cloud-based networks by a third party for firms that build blockchain applications.
Third-party services are a relatively new development in the rapidly expanding field of blockchain technology.
The application of blockchain technology has grown far beyond its most well-known use in Bitcoin transactions, addressing safe transactions of all kinds. As a result, there is an increase in the demand for hosting services.
How Blockchain-as-a-Service Works
The Blockchain-as-a-Service business model explains how third-party businesses install, host, and operate a Blockchain network on their behalf.
The service provider provides Blockchain infrastructure and technologies in exchange for a fee.
In many aspects, Blockchain-as-a-Service for Business functions similarly to a web hosting company.
It enables users to employ cloud-based solutions for developing and hosting Blockchain applications and smart contracts in the provider’s ecosystem.
Traditional business integration of BaaS provides support for resource allocation, bandwidth control, data security features, and hosting requirements.
The most significant impact of BaaS on business is that organizations can focus on their core competencies without worrying about the complexity of Blockchain operations.
Benefits of Blockchain-as-a-Service
Blockchain-as-a-service entails installing and maintaining blockchain networks for a company’s technology by a third party.
Because every organization can connect to blockchain networks, BaaS companies function effectively as blockchain service providers or infrastructure suppliers.
BaaS software, built on the software-as-a-service concept, assists enterprises in developing and hosting blockchain apps and smart contracts in cloud-based blockchain ecosystems.
Put another way, BaaS makes blockchain capabilities more accessible and practical in the commercial world.
Combining cloud services with Blockchain as a service could be beneficial for many businesses.
Businesses may overcome pain points by adapting integrations thanks to the customizable flexibility of BaaS technology.
Blockchain as a service is creating waves in various industries, whether it’s serving as a smart contracts platform for a real estate firm or a payment processing service for a shop.
How Blockchain-as-a-Service is Shaping Enterprises
According to MarketsandMarkets, the global BaaS market will be worth USD 11,519 million by 2026, a fortune for modern businesses.
Blockchain-as-a-service is primarily influencing startups and SMEs that rely heavily on massive data silos. BaaS includes smart data protection and a competitive edge, not to mention the removal of third-party delegates.
This serves as a cost-benefit analysis. Returning to the market for BaaS, the global data are shown below. Both businesses and consumers are adopting blockchain technology.
However, the operational overhead costs associated with infrastructure creation, configuration, operation, maintenance, and technological challenges operate as barriers.
The benefits of Blockchain for SMEs, no matter how large, are resource-heavy and energy-consuming, inhibiting widespread use of the technology.
Renting a Blockchain infrastructure using BaaS enables organizations to learn the skills required to operate the Blockchain infrastructure.
Furthermore, the expenditure needed to enter the technology market is reduced because the service agreement may be quickly scaled up or even terminated on short notice.
It allows firms to stay on the cutting edge of technology without taking needless risks.
Blockchain-as-a-Service For Startups
The benefits of BaaS for enterprises and tiny businesses are considered suitable for organizations that outsource technology components and are not heavily involved in the Blockchain’s functioning mechanism.
It allows these companies to understand the technology without constructing their Blockchain.
Various industries are integrating BaaS systems for identity management, supply chain management, and payments.
Blockchain development services are developing as the right solution to various SME difficulties, such as eliminating intermediaries, a lack of transparency, and so on.
Major Players in the Blockchain-as-a-Service Space
The major platforms for blockchain-as-a-service are;
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Paystand
- R3
Amazon
AWS offers purpose-built tools to meet your specific requirements, whether you require a centralized ledger database that keeps an immutable and cryptographically verifiable record of transactions or a multi-party, fully managed blockchain network that helps eliminate intermediaries.
Customers trust AWS more than any cloud vendor for their blockchain and ledger technology workloads.
AWS hosts up to 25% of Ethereum workloads. Nestle, Sony Music, BMW, Sage, Guardian, DTCC, Workday, Klarna Bank, SGX, Legal & General, and Splunk are among the Hyperledger Fabric enterprise customers.
Microsoft
Developers can use Microsoft’s blockchain solution to create, deploy, and manage blockchain applications on the Azure platform.
The service includes templates for popular blockchain frameworks, interaction with Azure services, including Active Directory and Key Vault, and support for numerous programming languages, making designing and deploying blockchain applications simple.
Paystand
Paystand is a startup that helps businesses conduct transactions more efficiently.
They want to remove fees, digitize the cash cycle, and provide businesses with a self-driving money experience. Jeremy Almond and Scott Campbell launched the company in 2013.
It bills itself as “the first Ethereum-based hybrid blockchain designed for B2B,” inspired by pioneers who moved sales and marketing to the cloud to become faster and more efficient.
R3
In 2015, the R3 collaboration launched Corda Enterprise, a BaaS platform. This solution is built on open-source technology (albeit not open-source in and of itself).
This solution is intended for mission-critical applications like banking and other highly regulated sectors. It has improved security, scalability, and performance over the open-source Corda version.
It also supports enterprise applications such as identity management, compliance monitoring, and auditing.
Business Use Cases of Blockchain-as-a-Service
As we explained earlier, Blockchain is a data management platform, which implies that all solutions given in the Blockchain domain will have data at their core.
The use cases explained below demonstrate how many industries use Blockchain for immunity and transparency. They are;
- Automotive
- Healthcare
- Transportation and logistics
- FinTech
Automotive
The most challenging task for the automobile industry is combating counterfeit parts and managing supply networks.
The blockchain platform as a service comes to the rescue here by providing end-to-end accessible records for the transportation of automobile parts.
This assists vehicle companies in tracking and distinguishing genuine spares from counterfeits.
Blockchain supply chain and production services have disturbed the industry’s efficient flow. There is no lack of critical components, and organizations enjoy optimal output with minimal downtime.
Healthcare
By maintaining a universal and transparent version of patients’ medical data, Blockchain has changed healthcare to a large extent.
Because of organized and up-to-date records, blockchain technology has enabled numerous medical experts to deliver immediate care to specific patients.
Besides, Blockchain aids in determining the validity of drugs. Any medicine or substance can be traced back to its origin.
This has proven to be a massive help to producers recalling certain compounds for assistance medications.
Transportation and Logistics
Identity verification is critical for goods and people in the logistics and transportation industries.
Passengers can complete the entire process quickly and easily with a single identification token for freight movement, verification efficiency, and fault proofing.
Blockchain as-a-service provides a fail-safe mechanism for industries and other data silos.
FinTech
Blockchain in FinTech has provided serenity to the typical banking consumer by automating most of the financial process and adding immutability and transparency to avoid disagreements.
Customers can now use smart cards thanks to blockchain services. These smartcards allow for speedier fund settlements without central authority authentication.
Conclusion
BaaS may catalyze further and deeper adoption of blockchain technology across numerous industry sectors and businesses.
Instead of developing and managing their blockchains, enterprises of all sizes may now easily outsource the technically challenging job and focus on their core competencies.
