Challenges

• The company used several cloud based systems to manage their business which included a multi-sales channel network comprising of a Shopify storefront, Retail shops that used POS systems and a Distributor network which used their own cloud solution to manage their business
• The company used several backend systems which included an open source CMS application, Salesforce CRM, Oracle JD Edwards ERP on the cloud and a logistic provider with their own system to manage and update deliveries across Canada
• The company was facing challenges managing the data from multiple systems from different providers that was involved in the entire process chain
• A lot of resources and time was being engaged to manage data mapping from one system to another

Solution

• Incepta investigated the current systems and processes of the organization and designed a Mulesoft API led connectivity using the Mulesoft AnyPoint Platform for connecting all the external systems at key process areas
• The solution enabled the company to process new customer orders and returns seamlessly without any manual intervention. The Incepta team designed the API strategy which included development of a stack of 25 APIs each working in cohesion to establish a connected business workflow across multiple 3rd party applications.
• The API driven Mulesoft application helped connect the different sales channels to the multiple back-end systems. A customer order placed online via the company’s Shopify Storefront could be synced with the stock management module of the Oracle JD Edwards ERP system and the order data updated into the logistics provider system for order fulfillment and additionally the salesforce CRM was updated with the customer data.

How Technology can Transform the Cannabis Industry in Canada?

On October 17th, 2018, Canada joined Uruguay as the second nation in the world to legalize adult-use cannabis. Projections from CIBC this past spring suggest that the Canadian market could take in $6.5 billion in retail sales by 2020. To put this further into perspective, Canada’s legalized marketplace is set to rival California’s. That demand will include 800,000 kilograms of product valued at around $6.8 billion. Of that amount, it is believed that 95 percent will be for recreational use. If projections prove true, Canadian cannabis will eclipse spirits sales.

Source: https://cannatechtoday.com/what-in-the-forecast-for-canadas-cannabis-industry/

The Challenge

• Customers will demand privacy and security when purchasing cannabis products sold through online or retail
• Regulators would want to have total transparency and traceability of all transactions from origin to destination
• Producers would want to enable a technology driven process that would allow them to establish authenticity and accountability to both regulators and customers
• Establishing identity verification for both producers, retailers and consumers
• Enabling a delivery mechanism which is fast and reliable
• Transparent and standardized pricing based on quality and date of produce

The Future

• Digital Identification Technology to help producers tag their produce with data that can help identify the date, quality and quantity of every batch
• Blockchain Technology application that can help authenticate every information and transaction as it passes from producer to delivery agent to retailer and finally to the end consumer with absolute surety and secrecy
• A standardized system for Regulators to track produce coming from inside or outside Canada, trace the source-to-consumer map and verify authenticity of each player involved with the cannabis eco-system
• Technologies that can communicate with multiple 3rd party technology services that involves logistic operators, e-commerce storefronts, retail POS systems, payment gateways, regulatory authorities, consumers and users of the public domain

Advantages to Producers

• TRUST: Building trust by allowing transparency in every step, providing customers with full product history.
• COLLABORATION: Technology can enable collaboration between producers, suppliers, retailers and end customers – gather the story throughout the chain.
• INTEGRATION: Digital technology can help in building the brand ecosystem by reinforcing online presence and bringing a digital dimension to the product labels.
• AUTHENTICITY: Blockchain and Digital Identity Technology can assign the product a digital passport to authenticate key information, end fake claims and help tackle counterfeits.
• SECURITY: Verified information on product and transactions stored in a Blockchain can provide unparalleled protection using the world’s most secure data system.

Advantages to Consumers

• KNOW MORE, BUY BETTER: Consumer purchases have an impact on communities and environments near and far. Technology can help provide the gateway to information about the people, places, processes and materials behind the products consumers buy.
• FIND PRODUCTS WITH A STORY: Consumers and Regulators can find products with a particular provenance, ask questions and endorse the supply chains that authenticate Good Manufacturing Processes.
• SMART TAG: Digital Identity Technology equips physical products with a unique digital ID that enables the tracking of each item. Through the ID, consumers and stakeholders can access a secure digital history, along with verified claims, enriched with content throughout the supply chain.