A method is disclosed comprising: connecting, by a part scanner, to a blockchain platform; outputting a user interface, the user interface including at least a first input component and a second input component; capturing an image of a surface of a part; outputting the image in the user interface; generating a surface descriptor based on the image; when the first input component is activated, attempting to store, in the blockchain platform, an authentication record that is generated based on the surface descriptor, and outputting, in the user interface, an indication of an outcome of the attempt to store the authentication record in the blockchain platform; and when the second input component is activated, attempting to authenticate the part based on the surface descriptor and outputting, in the user interface, an indication of an outcome of the attempt to authenticate the part.