Quick Quantum Quips: Vendors roll out software applications to increase customer connections through partnerships and internal innovation

Welcome to TBR’s monthly newsletter on the quantum computing market: Quick Quantum Quips (Q³). This market changes rapidly, and the hype can often distract from the realities of the actual technological developments. This newsletter will keep the community up to date on recent announcements while stripping away the hype around developments.

For more details, reach out to Stephanie Long or Geoff Woollacott to set up a time to chat.

July 2020 Developments

Tying systems and software together has been a general focus of July quantum computing activity. These ties increase quantum computing vendors’ ability to more adequately address and meet the emerging needs of their customers. The finance and banking industry remains a key customer base for quantum as more financial customers partner to develop industry-specific applications for the technology.

1. Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC) and IBM partnered to make CQC the first startup-based hub in IBM’s Q Network. This move grants CQC cloud-based access to IBM’s army of 20 commercially available quantum computers. Leveraging this cloud-based access and Qiskit, CQC along with members of its hub will work on advancing quantum capabilities for specialized use in areas such as chemistry, finance and machine learning.
2. D-Wave has expanded its Leap quantum cloud service into India and Australia, increasing the global footprint of its quantum technology. D-Wave’s quantum cloud service is now available in 37 countries. In addition to the Leap Quantum Cloud Service, customers in India and Australia will now also have access to D-Wave’s Hybrid Solver Service, Integrated Developer Environment and Problem Inspector solutions as well as access to flexible increments of computing time in a hybrid computing model. D-Wave offers this flexible access in free and paid plans.
3. Atos unveiled its Quantum Annealing Simulator, which is compatible with Atos’ Quantum Learning Machine and enables the company to provide customers with access to quantum capabilities via a simulator as well as gate quantum computing through its existing portfolio. TBR believes this approach is strategically advantageous for Atos, as quantum annealing gives customers access to a quantum-like solution that achieves a lower error rate faster than a traditional system, enabling Atos customers to become familiar with the technology while the system developments continue to reduce error rates and expand capabilities.
4. Atos also unveiled an open innovation accelerator program — called Scaler, the Atos Accelerator — which is geared toward vertical-centric experts and startups. As part of this program, 15 startups and vertical-specific experts will be selected annually to participate in developing quantum-specific projects fueled by customer interest. The research will further support the development and enrichment of Atos’ existing quantum computing offerings and also reinforce, in TBR’s view, Atos’ ability to provide quantum services. TBR notes that this approach to innovation is similar to that of other services firms involved in quantum computing, where innovation is largely customer driven to address specific demands.
5. Standard Chartered Ventures unveiled its commitment to researching potential uses for quantum computing in the finance and banking industry through its academic partnership with Universities Space Research Association (USRA). USRA is a U.S.-based nonprofit with 49 university members. Standard Chartered Ventures noted that some use cases being explored through quantum computing include simulating portfolios and significantly increasing the speed of market data generation.

If you would like more detailed information around the quantum computing market, please inquire about TBR’s Quantum Computing Market Landscape, a semiannual deep dive into the quantum computing market. Our most recent version was released in June.