Hi Dave,

I’d look at this in two parts:

1. How does a blockchain help vs any other database with tracking provenance and other data about physical objects? In this case, I think the interesting question is how you actually tie the physical object to the digital record. The problem is essentially the same regardless of what kind of database you use for the digital records.
2. Is a blockchain more robust against the failure of an individual company tasked with maintaining a database, and the potential resulting data loss? It’s possible, although a decentralized network can fall into disuse as well (and the data on a decentralized network is more easily compromised the less it’s used). I think you have to ask what the incentive of network participants to stay active in the long run is. Also, if you want the database to be robust against an individual company failing, perhaps a consortium of companies in the space would suffice.

Interesting question!