Quantum computing is in vogue, it is a very unknown and young technology but with a lot of potential. But we should not be confused, the movies have made us believe that we will go with it to parallel universes or that an evil quantum AI will dominate the earth. But the reality is very different.
Before explaining what possible benefits it can bring to the world and specifically to the logistics and supply chain sector, we need to understand what exactly quantum computing is.
What is quantum computing?
First of all, conventional computing already does its job very well, and for day-to-day use it is perfect since it is based on concepts of 1 and 0, i.e., on off, exists does not exist...therefore in the logic of turning on a cell phone, performing an operation or locating a sea container the result is clear.... is there or it is not there.
For quantum computing the logic is more complicated, it has a great power to calculate probabilities of results, but it does not guarantee 100% the veracity of the result, this occurs by the very nature of the structure since it understands the world with 1, 0 and all the numbers between them ...so that as results to the previous examples it offers us that the mobile is turned on halfway, an operation has different results depending on the day or a shipping container could be in 5 places at the same time.
Quantum computing requires verification of the results by a conventional computer to ensure that the results obtained are correct.
Therefore, quantum computing does not replace conventional computers, but is rather a complement to them, as a graphics or network card would be, a type of hardware that allows responding to a very specific type of operations.
Quantum computing is ideal for calculating incredibly large operations, calculating Pi, dividing by zero, simulations of universes or deciphering complex coding, but for the day-to-day operations of a professional in the sector and the operations of his company, it does not seem to make sense at least in the medium term.
What is quantum mechanics for?
Especially for solving very complex or large mathematical problems, deciphering encrypted codes, simulations in genetics, it is a tool to obtain millions of results in a very short time and establish which of these look best.
Many research teams around the world "rent" time using these quantum hardware to solve very specific problems, more focused on quantum computing research itself, to generate increasingly complex algorithms and to design more solid physical and logical structures for quantum technology itself. Although their uses have yet to be determined and the technology has yet to evolve, there is no doubt that they will play a fundamental role in encryption and security systems.
It turns out that a quantum computer is capable of solving any encryption system or "key" in very few seconds, this happens because it is able to try all possible combinations before a security barrier, and only by chance...if you try all the options, you find the key. This is very dangerous because in the wrong hands it could take down practically any system regardless of its protection. In the logistics sector cyber-attacks are increasing exponentially, with a tool like this we would have no choice.
How to create quantum security keys to counteract this is being studied, but nothing is clear and the risk seems very high.
What is the role of Quantum in logistics?
At the moment quantum in logistics does not have much effect, it is not necessary to use it to calculate better transport routes, warehouse operations or document management, the logic of these computers is to solve complex problems that could take years for a conventional computer, the distribution chain needs to optimize the management of operations, manage all the data absorbed by its ERP from the operational environment and translate it into information that a manager can interpret to make concrete strategic decisions.
Conventional computing is already doing very well for the industry, and still has room for improvement, not so much in terms of the capability of the technology itself, but in terms of the ability of the companies in the industry to implement it in their operations.
To give an example, the Director of a transport company cannot even think about blockchain, quantum, IOT or machine learning if in his warehouse he does not have RFID sensors or an ERP capable of storing and managing all the company's data or integration with third parties or other tools, not to mention OCR, processes, workflows, tracking.....
For the logistics sector the interest in bockchain, 5G or quantum is purely superficial, the logistics sector has other times and needs to do many things before even thinking about technologies that will undoubtedly enter, it is the way, and that gradually will be integrated not only in logistics but in our daily lives.
Let's wait and see how it evolves and maybe one day it will make sense to know if our sea container exists and does not exist at the same time.
Consultant in Logistics and Supply Chain Technologies
