Introduction

What is event-based traceability?

Wholechain is designed to help businesses achieve end-to-end supply chain traceability, which is defined by the United Nations Global Compact and Business (UNGC) and Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) as:

"The ability to identify and trace the history, distribution, location and application of products, parts and materials, to ensure the reliability of sustainability claims, in the areas of human rights, labor (including health and safety), the environment and anti-corruption."

Wholechain tackles traceability by breaking up complex supply chain webs into a series of steps - which we call events. Events capture the who, what, when and where of each activity a product undergoes in its journey to consumers, in addition to customizable data unique to each supply chain. We’ve strategically aligned our event types with GS1’s Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) standards to make sure data is compatible with the global trade ecosystem businesses are already working within.

The combination of blockchain-based data collection, simple desktop and mobile app user experiences, and robust storytelling with Sourceview, means more trust and accountability between stakeholders within the supply chain as well as with consumers.

Understanding Extenal, Inbound and Internal Calls

The API documentation includes distinct types of data transfers—external API calls, inbound transfers, and internal transfers—each serving a unique role in Wholechain's traceability platform.

External API Call

An external API call is a call made to an API outside of the Wholechain infrastructure, typically initiated when data is sent from your Wholechain account to another system outside the Wholechain ecosystem.

Inbound Transfer

An inbound transfer occurs when an external traceability partner logs supply chain data into your Wholechain account on their behalf. For instance, a supplier or logistics provider may use the API to input their relevant information directly into your traceability platform. This enables a complete, collaborative supply chain record, enhancing transparency.

Internal Transfer

An internal transfer refers to when your own company logs information into the API for your Wholechain account. This is the data that you, as the account owner, manage and upload directly to ensure that your supply chain records remain accurate and up-to-date.

These types of data transfers are essential for maintaining the integrity and transparency of the traceability platform, facilitating seamless collaboration across the supply chain.