Quantum computing is no longer a distant innovation but a practical solution to some of today’s toughest optimisation problems


Quantum computing is no longer confined to research labs or science fiction. It’s rapidly becoming a strategic priority for companies across many sectors. At its core, quantum computing uses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve problems that are too complex for classical computers.

From financial services to logistics and telecommunications, organisations are moving past the hype and adopting quantum computing to solve complex, high-impact problems. Early adopters are already seeing up to 20 times returns on investment, applying quantum optimisation to challenges such as workforce scheduling, mobile network optimisation and production scheduling.

For businesses wrestling with optimisation problems, like supply chain logistics or risk modelling, quantum computing offers a significant edge. These are precisely the kinds of challenges that The Operational Research Society (Operational Research) has been tackling for years, but quantum computers could provide solutions that are faster, more accurate or previously unattainable.

Quantum computing has long been seen as a promising technology, but until now, businesses needed to access costly hardware and tackle a steep technical learning curve to explore its potential benefits. That’s now changing. Cloud-based platforms have removed infrastructure barriers, while technical advances and hybrid frameworks are making quantum solutions more accessible, powerful and affordable.

Businesses now have a practical route to solving complex optimisation problems at scale, and many are already taking advantage of it. A recent survey by Hyperion Research found that more than 21% of enterprises plan to implement quantum computing within the next 12 to 18 months, marking a 50% increase in interest since 2022.

Performance that transforms operations

While classical computers solve problems step-by-step, quantum systems use superposition and entanglement to evaluate vast numbers of potential solutions simultaneously. This allows quantum machines to tackle certain complex optimisation problems better, faster and more efficiently than classical computing alone.

And thanks to cloud access and user-friendly development environments, quantum computing is no longer reserved for large corporations with specialist teams. Most organisations, especially those with computationally complex challenges, can benefit from the additional computational horsepower quantum computing can provide today. Using quantum and hybrid quantum-classical methods to identify the best possible solutions for complex problems, such as streamlining supply chains or optimising manufacturing processes, can help give any business a competitive edge.

A quantum leap in workforce logistics

An early adopter of quantum computing, Pattison Food Group, the largest purveyor of food and healthcare products in western Canada, is running a driver auto-scheduling quantum optimisation application in production throughout 58 stores. This application trimmed an 80-hour task to 15 hours each week. Pattison is also running an in-store personnel scheduling quantum application in production.

Quantum optimisation for mobile network performance

NTT DOCOMO Inc, Japan’s largest mobile phone operator with over 90 million subscriptions, also turned to quantum computing to improve its mobile network performance. Using a hybrid-quantum solution, DOCOMO found that it can reduce congestion at base stations by decreasing paging signals during peak calling times by 15%, potentially leading to increased efficiencies and lowered infrastructure costs. While a general-purpose solver took 27 hours, a hybrid-quantum solver completed the same task in just 40 seconds. The company is now running the hybrid-quantum solution in production across its Japanese branch offices.

Optimising vehicle manufacturing at scale

Ford Otosan, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding in Turkey, has deployed a hybrid-quantum application in production to streamline the manufacturing processes for its Ford Transit line of vehicles. The solution optimises production sequencing, scheduling 1,000 vehicles per run in under 5 minutes, compared to 30 minutes using classical solutions alone. Most notably, using the hybrid-quantum application the carmaker could respond appropriately to shifts in demand or parts availability to avoid any disruptions to its productivity. This quantum optimisation application is a powerful demonstration of quantum computing’s real-world impact in automotive manufacturing.

Quantum realised

These examples illustrate a broader trend that quantum computing is no longer a distant innovation but a scalable, practical solution to some of today’s toughest optimisation problems. Quantum computing is here now, as businesses around the globe realise the tangible value of this powerful technology. With cloud-based quantum platforms now widely available, companies can tap into quantum capabilities as a service, without the need for specialised hardware or quantum science expertise.

Businesses that use quantum computing in conjunction with Operational Research could gain an even more powerful toolkit for tackling complex, data-driven optimisation problems across industries. As adoption grows, we believe the gap between businesses running quantum applications in production and those waiting on the side-lines will continue to widen. For organisations that act now, the potential opportunity is evident: solve problems others can’t and gain a strategic edge that’s hard to match.

Axel Daian is a senior technical advisor at D-Wave