Tupelo: Preventing PPE supplier fraud
This week, we spoke with Stephanie Mello and Topper Bowers of Quorum Control, and makers of the Tupelo DLT platform. Tupelo is a blockchain for real world (think supply chain) applications. Its goal is to make lightweight, agile, tech that solves real problems of PPE suppliers and buyers.
To do this, Tupelo spoke with leaders at the C19 Coalition and found that supplier fraud, where PPE does not reach the buyer, was a serious issue. To provide delivery assurance, Tupelo built a simple track and trace technology that provides secure updates at each step of the PPE delivery, from supplier to buyer.
Using the technology, the buyer gets real-time updates on orders as manufacturers add updates to the order during the normal fulfillment process. The blockchain foundation provides the trust that the buyer needs, to know its PPE shipment will arrive as ordered. To use this technology, reach out to the team at info@quorumcontrol.com.
To provide additional assurance, Tupelo built a simple photo-based fraud detection tool. Fraudulent suppliers will often show the same photo of a supposed unique order, to more than one buyer, fooling the buyer into purchasing nonexistent supply. PPE distributors and medical providers can use the photo-based fraud detection tool to upload PPE photos from a supplier to detect if other buyers have also received an identical photo.
While fraud prevention is a major focus for Tupelo, it’s also proactive in helping business owners know when and how to safely reopen their storefronts beyond just state recommendations..
Recently, Tupelo developed Bird Level, a tool to help people understand the wellness of their employees, letting businesses make informed and healthy decisions when reopening their physical spaces. Stephanie shared, “HR teams have an overwhelming task to reopen. [We’re building] Incremental solutions for what is needed right now. Bird level lets them get the critical information they need to make the right decisions for their organization..”
When asked about their biggest challenges over the last two months, she shared that “the pivotal moments have been about understanding the biggest problems in the space, and what [Tupelo] is best suited to solve”.
The team continues to build and meet the needs of the crisis. They are interested in building solutions and responding to needs from organizations who work to supply, produce, or distribute PPE. Reach them at info@quorumcontrol.com or on twitter @TupeloDlt.
Businesses face uncertainty when reopening their storefronts, and face fraud when purchasing PPE. Tupelo is building solutions we need to face this crisis, and we’re glad they’re a C19 Coalition partner.
Partners are working on every part of the problem: supply, demand, fulfillment, logistics, funding, and information tracking. Learn more about us here and join our directory of organizations.
