Capgemini inks deal with IBM to become an 'IBM Quantum Hub'

The French SI will provide access to IBM’s quantum computing systems as well as professional services

Capgemini inks deal with IBM to become an 'IBM Quantum Hub'

Capgemini has signed a deal with Big Blue to set up a 'IBM Quantum Hub' with an in-house quantum technology team to develop quantum technologies, the consulting giant has announced.

The initiative also includes a collaboration with IBM to help partners and customers build their own services in the area of Quantum Computing.

The French systems integrator explained its Quantum Lab (Q-Lab) is made up of quantum technology experts and facilities in the UK, Portugal and India, to utilise the potential of quantum technologies.

Capgemini's Q-Lab will coordinate research programs to develop business-driven client propositions for sectors most likely to benefit from quantum technologies in the medium future - life sciences, financial services, automotive and aerospace.

"The launch of our Q-lab tangibly demonstrates our ambition to bring to our clients the most innovative, breakthrough solutions, and to invest in capabilities early on so we can become the leading quantum systems integrator," said chief innovation officer at Capgemini and member of the group executive committee, Pascal Brier.

"Our collaboration with IBM will enable us to explore the vast potential of quantum computing, bringing to our clients the top capabilities and skills available in the market today and tomorrow."

IBM deal

Capgemini's agreement with IBM to become an IBM Quantum Hub will provide its clients access to IBM's quantum computing systems, including IBM's recently announced 127 qubit processor, ‘Eagle', as well as to IBM's quantum expertise and Qiskit, IBM's open-source quantum information software development kit.

The deal will see the IBM Quantum team and clients researching and exploring how quantum computing will help a ‎variety of industries and disciplines, including finance, energy, chemistry, materials science, ‎optimisation and machine learning.

Through this agreement, Capgemini claims it will make it easier for clients to access IBM's licensed technology and provide them with professional services for end-to-end implementation.

It added it intends to demonstrate, with prototypes and proofs of concepts, the potential value of leveraging quantum technologies to tackle previously intractable business problems for clients, working towards the implementation of quantum computing use cases.

Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and VP, Quantum Computing at IBM added: "Establishing a quantum industry will require a deep focus on expanding the quantum computing ecosystem across public and private sectors - something IBM cannot do alone.

"By working with Capgemini, clients have even more options for hands-on expertise to develop proofs of concepts to explore the potential of quantum computing across a variety of industries and disciplines."