Sample supply chain traceability solution using Azure Cosmos DB for Gremlin

This article provides an overview of the traceability graph solution implemented by Infosys in Azure Marketplace.

This solution implements end-to-end supply chain traceability using Azure Cosmos DB for Gremlin and other Azure services. The solution enables organizations to track and trace finished goods, raw materials, and their relationships throughout the supply chain. This solution supports food safety, regulatory compliance, and rapid incident response.

The solution uses a graph database model to represent complex relationships and movements of goods, and integrates with Azure services for data ingestion, processing, analytics, and user access. This article is relevant for supply chain managers, architects, and IT professionals seeking to modernize traceability processes.

Key capabilities

Description Prerequisites/Licenses
Azure Cosmos DB for Gremlin Stores and queries graph data representing supply chain relationships. Azure subscription, Cosmos DB account with Gremlin API
Azure API Management Exposes APIs for stock movement events to external systems. Azure subscription
Azure Event Hubs Ingests streaming data from factories, warehouses, and logistics providers. Azure subscription
Azure Functions Processes and transforms events for ingestion into Cosmos DB. Azure subscription
Azure Cognitive Search Enables advanced search and filtering of supply chain data. Azure subscription
Azure Databricks & Synapse Analytics Analyzes data and supports self-service reporting. Azure subscription, Databricks/Synapse workspace
Azure App Service Hosts the user portal for search and reporting. Azure subscription
Azure Storage Archives data for regulatory and historical needs. Azure subscription

Prerequisites

  • An Azure subscription

    • If you don't have an Azure subscription, create a Trial before you begin.
  • An Azure Cosmos DB for Apache Gremlin account
  • Access to sample data for testing
  • Familiarity with supply chain processes and data

Process overview

To get started with the supply chain traceability solution, follow these steps:

Data storage

  • Create a Cosmos DB account with the Gremlin (graph) API.
  • Define the data model for raw materials, finished goods, pallets, and warehouses as graph vertices and edges.

Data ingestion and integration

  • Set up Azure Event Hubs to receive streaming data from factories, warehouses, and logistics providers.
  • Use Azure API Management to expose APIs for stock movement and quality events.
  • Implement Azure Functions to process incoming events and write to Cosmos DB.

Analytics and user access

  • Use Azure Cognitive Search to enable advanced search and filtering of supply chain data.
  • Integrate Azure Databricks and Synapse Analytics for reporting and analytics.
  • Deploy a user portal using Azure App Service for search and visualization.

Archive and manage data

  • Use Azure Storage to archive historical and regulatory data as needed.

End user guidance and support

To help your organization adopt the solution:

  • Provide training on using the user portal for search and reporting.
  • Share documentation on how to interpret graph-based traceability data.
  • Offer support channels for troubleshooting and feedback.