From Traditional Databases to Distributed Consensus
I spent eight years building inventory management systems using standard relational databases. When my company started exploring blockchain for supplier verification, I assumed it was mostly hype. The 2024 cohort changed that perspective completely.
What surprised me wasn't the technology itself, but understanding when it actually makes sense. Most projects don't need blockchain. But when you have suppliers, logistics companies, and retailers who all need to verify the same shipment data without giving anyone control, suddenly the complexity pays off.
The program pushed us to question every design choice. Why this consensus algorithm? What happens when a node goes offline? How do you handle inevitable disputes? By November, I was prototyping a system that our legal team could actually understand and our partners were willing to test.
Now I lead a small team building consortium networks for manufacturing clients. We're not changing the world, just making multi-party coordination less painful and more auditable.
