CGI and D-Wave form an enterprise quantum computing partnership

IT and business consultancy CGI has announced a strategic partnership with quantum computing company D-Wave Quantum, according to a press release reported by The Quantum Insider. The partnership aims to broaden enterprise use of quantum computing in the logistics, transport and retail sectors.

What does the partnership cover in practice?

CGI will integrate access to D-Wave's Advantage2 quantum computer and hybrid solvers into its own technology services portfolio. Priority use cases include production planning, energy grid optimisation, train scheduling, rail operations, and retail supply chain and route planning.

• Production planning and energy grid optimisation
• Train scheduling and rail operations
• Retail supply chain, route and shift planning

Are quantum computers really being used for this work?

D-Wave, founded in 1999, is known for its quantum annealing technology; customers such as Lockheed Martin use it in areas such as aircraft network optimisation and production efficiency. According to CGI and D-Wave, the business value of quantum computing is no longer theoretical, but this does not mean it is replacing classical computers; the companies position it as a tool that complements classical methods on specific optimisation problems.

What does it mean for logistics and retail companies?

Examples such as the CGI–D-Wave partnership show that large logistics and retail chains are starting to test this technology at pilot level on problems such as route planning, warehouse optimisation and shift planning.