Blockchain could revolutionize CRM, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 has a part to play

In recent months, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have dominated headlines. But for technology giants like Microsoft, blockchain, the technology that makes Bitcoin possible, is the real headline. These complex digital ledgers build trust as cryptocurrency users exchange funds, and these secure, immutable ledgers have growing importance for other fields, such as CRM software. Stefano Tempesta, a Microsoft regional director and MVP with expertise in Dynamics 365/CRM and SharePoint, has also been exploring blockchain, including helping launch a new blog on the topic, Blogchain.

Stefano shared his thoughts about the implications and opportunities of blockchain for CRM in a recent webinar with MSDW.  He has also written about the basics of the blockchain opportunity for the site. 

"Blockchain was born to support the Bitcoin digital currency, but I believe there are business opportunities and applications," he told the audience.

The rise of blockchain

The idea of a secure, public general ledger first emerged from a form of barter on the island of Yap, in the Pacific Ocean. The islanders lacked anything that they could exchange as coins, but they had very large boulders. They developed a concept of rai stones, a system of ownership for the stones. Sellers would publicly transfer ownership to a buyer. To avoid a single point of failure, the islanders distributed the knowledge rather ...