Logistics, infrastructure, and the global supply chains are some of the most complex and intricate networks known to man. Between dynamic routes, ever-changing schedules, and costly services, optimizing the logistics of the business supply chain could save billions for the industry. Yet this complexity is precisely what attracts key actors in the industry to quantum computing. So, why do quantum computing and supply chain management go hand-in-hand?
Ongoing Issues in Logistics
“Expect the unexpected” is perhaps an applicable motto to supply chain management. As the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside ever-present geopolitical issues worldwide, illustrated, there are distinct weaknesses in the present state of infrastructure. Furthermore, in the face of climate change (and, more broadly: nature), the likes of natural disasters and unpredictable weather have created mass disruptions to transport. These unexpected events are not projected to go away any time soon – and, instead, may be getting worse and more frequent.
As such, the flow of shipments and transport across time and space is ever changing. Factor in costs and tariffs, alongside time, and the problem takes on a multidimensional form.
What Makes Quantum Computing Different?
Quantum computing harnesses key quantum mechanical principles – from superposition to entanglement to the plausible quantum speedup – to find solutions to optimization problems such as these. The ability for quantum computers to compute the probabilities of an entire states at once makes them especially useful for cases when there are an exponential number of solutions to consider.
This makes quantum computing an area of particular interest for case studies in moving from quantum research to applications in the industry.
Key Applications of Quantum Computing in Logistics and Supply Chains
Several case studies have been published illustrating the potential for quantum computing in infrastructure and supply trains. Most recently, Batch Freight (BATCH) released a subscription-based transport management system based on a mixture of AI and quantum computing, as reported in the PR Newswire. Leverage of these technologies, the article reports, will help “reduce inefficiencies in the market” and lead to “better resource allocation and potentially lower costs for shippers.”
In other logistics and infrastructure-related projects, quantum computing has been shown to be beneficial in traffic flow optimization (in conjunction with the Volkswagen Group) and routing. As such, supply chain optimization proves to be a point of key interest among quantum computing companies, and major actors, including NIST, have pitched in to provide services to bridge the gap between research and manufacturers.
As such, quantum computing has transformative potential in logistics. Its penchant for optimization can better prepare industry professionals to manage large-scale changes in their supply chain routes, all whilst optimizing for more efficient resource use and better transport processes.
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