For an enterprise, leveraging quantum computing will never be as simple as buying a quantum computer and plugging it in, which by the way is a process that itself will never be so simple.
Instead, the keys for many corporate users of quantum computing will lie not in obtaining the hardware, but in figuring out which problems they want quantum computing to address, and training their own teams to work with the new technology in a way that will help them solve these problems.
To that end, Classiq, one of the up and coming software providers in the quantum space, recently teamed with KPMG, the multinational professional services giant to bring quantum computing applications and analysis capabilities to companies in a number of industry verticals including financial services, automotive, pharmaceutical, energy, telecom, and logistics. The companies’ efforts will focus on quantum use case exploration and quantum capability development.
They will leverage Classiq’s software, which the company described as being able to convert “high-level functional models into optimized quantum circuits for most quantum computers and cloud providers.” It is an approach that allows organizations to skip the quantum assembly level of programming and create quantum solutions for their needs even if their teams have limited experience. The ability to “up-skill” such employees is still considered one of the top hurdles to overcome for quantum computing to be introduced into more industries.
KPMG is not coming to quantum cold. It already operates a Global Quantum Hub, what the company described as its “Center of Excellence for quantum technologies, dedicated to helping organizations understand, adopt, and leverage quantum technologies to drive business value.” The Global Quantum Hub team operates globally and is coordinated by KPMG’s Danish office. The practice offers a range of services, including quantum strategy, use case discovery and implementing quantum computing solutions, that it will bring to bear in the partnership with Classiq.
Simon Fried, vice president of business development and marketing at Classiq, told Fierce Electronics that the partnership will help companies regardless of whether they have zero quantum experience or are actually quite comfortable with the technology. It also does not matter whose quantum computing hardware they might already favor.
“This collaboration allows for quantum journeys that are not tied to any particular hardware provider or qubit count and that are more accessible to non-quantum experts,” Fried said. “With a global footprint and corporate training offerings, KPMG is well placed to engage with very early stage quantum journeys as well as more in-depth proof of content explorations. Coupled with Classiq’s platform, this offers an environment that facilitates accelerated learning and implementation. It is important that enterprise customers select the optimal route to quantum for their particular circumstances.”
He added, “Each party will contribute expertise and experience from their various enterprise engagements. Combining KPMG’s team of quantum project implementation and quantum education experts with Classiq’s multi-modality (compatibility with a broad range of hardware) quantum computing software and proof of content experience deliver a combined depth of quantum knowledge and understanding of enterprise customer priorities along with optimized, scalable implementations that de-risk quantum journeys and deliver on future-proofed engagements.”
KPMG is not the only professional services giant ramping up its activities in the quantum sector. EY recently announced that its ongoing partnership with IBM was expanding into the realm of quantum computing, and that it is joining the IBM Quantum Network, a leading industry ecosystem collective. EY also has partnered with Post-Quantum to bring the London start-up’s quantum-safe encryption and other solutions into its own corporate environment and potentially to EY’s enterprise client. Meanwhile, Accenture has a quantum practice as part of its organization, and has worked with firms like QuSecure and Biogen on quantum technology projects. Also, Deloitte Global Quantum Lead Scott Buchholz has talked to Fierce Electronics previously about the future of quantum technology.