Insights into Blockchain Proof Of Concept (PoC) Development

Proof of Concepts is one of the common themes that we have learned from clients. Blockchain development solutions and POCs are still emerging and if you are an enterprise with skill sets that know "software development," you will shine. These POCs are not your data storage array or networking gear POCs where you ship a package, unpack them, install some software, and show the customer how fantastic your Nutanix or EMC equipment is.

Proof of Concept is required to show the importance of the blockchain proposal in communicating with customers. You need the expertise, experience, and the ability to implement your vision for your client to be successful.

Let's first explain what a proof of concept is and how a blockchain system has to work with it. These will be "Software Driven" Proof of Concepts around blockchains. "Basically, around hardware, cars, or electronics, you're not creating a "prototype. You will simply take a "Conceptual Vision" and take software code (Chaincode aka Smart Contracts) and invoke unique features across applications (Front End apps, Client apps).

Also, Read | A Compact Guide to Proof-of-Concept Development for Blockchain

Blockchain PoC development, Methodology, Transfer of Applications, and More

First of all, we normally need to better understand the application and the results needed by the client, essentially what the final solution needs to achieve. Determine, if available, using instances, past references, past results. Are we dealing with blockchains like Hyperledger, Ethereum, or others? There are also a fair number of other complexities to be concerned with.

Specifications in the code

• Customers have in-house experience or need to go to a "bill shop"
• Dedicated CAPEX or OPEX to the POC
• What about overseeing development by a project manager?

Consensus Mechanism

A consensus here does not refer to the blockchain's consensus algorithms, but the organization's algorithms. Why? Since this is simply where not everybody in the organization can look at it at the same level, even in a "DevOps" oriented organization.

Also, Read | Understanding the Blockchain and Decentralized Consensus

Concise Vision

The stakeholders need to have a concise vision no matter where in the company. It takes a significant amount of time for smart contracts, dApps, chaincode, front-end apps, etc. to design, create, and test. Going down the Ethereum route thoroughly is not just like Hyperledger. So if you alter blockchains in the middle of the project, you can almost throw out your job.

There are several skill sets you must remember while trying to find blockchain knowledge. Notice also that this is a POC-powered "software" and very reliant on the "stacks '".

Take these as a starting point in the position of blockchain creation

Additional Expertise Consideration

• Enterprise Capabilities • (Networking, Security)
• Agile, DevOps, Angular, Production Skills for Spring
• Compliance, expertise in legal and administrative matters
• APIs, Node.Js, Solidity, C++, Go, Java, Python, etc

Programming Languages

Although not unique, the key blockchain languages may be anything from Java to Golang to Solidity with Ethereum. For instance, for both the front end and the backend, individual blockchains have very particular specifications. Not to mention the middleware and integration.

• Ethereum, C ++, Solidity
• Ripple-Python
• Node JS, Java and Chain Coding-Hyperledger Fabric

Also, Read |  Blockchain MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Development Guide

Blockchain PoC Development 

A proof of concept (POC) is a demonstration to verify that real-world systems have the ability for such services. This "demonstration" of Blockchain Technology is still a work in progress with the main emphasis on coding. They will, for example, have a very long blockchain sales cycle with integrators and consulting firms.

Crucial Considerations

It can be very technical but also very business-oriented to describe ROI, TCO, and other variables such as user interface, project feasibility, integration, etc.

Generally executed in the revenue cycle. Used to describe a notion and convert the vision into an image for the client. No actual models, specifically for blockchains, have been specified per se. This is where you can shine and provide value for your company. Stakeholders need to buy in and this may entail some real imagination to define the real stakeholders.

For a Cloud Service-based POC (Blockchain As a Service)

A POC can be a simple or complex setup. If possible, use a cloud service to minimize resource obligations and costs. For most business blockchains, test networks are available (Ropstein for Ethereum, Composer for Hyperledger)

Frameworks for Blockchain PoC Development

The Proof of Concept Architecture significantly decreases the amount of time taken to create a PoC blockchain. A few blockchain platforms for enterprise PoC development solutions.

• Corda R3
• Ethereum
• Hyperledger Fabric
• Quorum

A few BaaS platforms to perform a POC with an OPEX budget

MS Azure Model Framework

• Blockchain (BaaS)
• API Gateway
• An open web application
• Integration of Azure Active Directory
• Incorporation of Azure Main Vault
• SQL DB •SQL DB
• Services for Hashing

Blockchain as a Service Proof of Concept System IBM Bluemix (IBM Cloud)

For Hyperledger Fabric Blockchain Network (BaaS)

•  API s for Gateway
• An open web application
• Free tool for development-Hyperledger Composer
• Starter Plan expressly for the development plans of POCS and Enterprise
• Consensus automatic implementation and membership programs
• Deploys a Blockchain ready for use by Hyperledger.

Also, Read | Blockchain as a Service

Planning, Planning, and Validation of the Ideas

The economics of a blockchain POC may be complicated without a Proof of Concept System. Again, note that these are very software-focused and not the POC of your "daddy."

It may normally be two or three months, 8 weeks, or more. Nothing amazes.

 Depending on the size of the blockchain, costs could be 10'2 or 100's of thousands. Customers/prospects do not have an understanding of how demands will be addressed by the blockchain plan.

When it comes to working as a pre-sales developer, architect of solutions, TAM, or whatever position your technical client faces, you need to remember that a real blockchain POC could take 2-3x longer than a "Cloud POC."

Why Blockchain POC Development may Take Longer

Technology for blockchains is NOT "plug and play". Further, Smart Contracts aka Chaincode are used by Blockchains and it is not easy to find this level of coding expertise." In "Beta", front-end applications are still available. There is the notion of a blockchain program, but the job has not materialized.

Front end to backend integration as well as middleware (Client apps and the backend). There is also a general need to communicate both on-chain and off-chain data with peers. Oracle is not just a software company. Finally, but let's be honest, blockchain is still in "disrupter" mode, which means that it is likely that only cutting edge companies can take advantage of marketing the apps. In a nutshell, it can take time to "translate the vision.