Following is a diagram to illustrate the blockchain network to an existing system of record:

Most large enterprises looking at joining with a business network will eventually aim at integrating their system of record to make sure that they benefit from the real-time transparent distribution of transactions. In these circumstances, the process alignment we previously mentioned will be tremendously important.

As depicted in the preceding diagram, the approach will consist of leveraging an adaptor pattern to act as a data mapper between the two worlds. The adaptor will adopt the enterprise system application protocol and data structure to receive transaction requests. Optionally, it can also leverage existing foundations such as messaging services to propagate ledger events.

The important thing to note here is that this type of integration will be specific to an organization, and very little reuse will be possible.

As a variant of this pattern, some organizations will break the adaptor into two parts:

• REST gateway: Exposing a REST interface aligned with the Fabric smart contract
• Integration bus: Mapping the fields and connecting the enterprise systems

While in this variant reuse is higher, the same considerations only get moved one layer down.