SAP – Planning data grows with the cloud
Good planning starts with clean data. SAP provides enterprise software in which corporations manage their operations, and is increasingly shifting this business to the cloud. This affects everyone looking to improve supply chains, warehousing or production using computational methods, whether classical or quantum-based. After all, any method is only as good as the figures it is given. Whoever provides these data plays a key role in such planning. The third-quarter figures show whether SAP can further expand this role in the cloud.
SAP presented these figures on October 21. For the first time, the group exceeded the EUR 10 billion mark in quarterly revenue. The exact figure was EUR 10,270 million, compared with EUR 9,076 million in the prior-year quarter. Cloud revenue rose 26% to EUR 6,668 million from EUR 5,290 million. The cloud backlog climbed to EUR 24,144 million, compared with EUR 18,839 million a year earlier. IFRS operating profit increased by 18% to EUR 2,930 million. SAP also now expects currency-adjusted cloud revenue for 2026 at the upper end of the EUR 25.8 to 26.2 billion range.
If SAP succeeds in expanding the cloud with artificial intelligence, this could further broaden the data basis for such optimisation. The group’s strategy is called Autonomous Enterprise, and the acquisitions of Reltio, Dremio and Prior Labs contributed EUR 49 million to revenue in the third quarter. Commenting on the figures, group CEO Christian Klein said the strategy was not merely resonating with customers, but was being adopted. At the same time, a share buyback programme of up to EUR 10 billion is running through December 31, 2027. The outlook at the upper end of the range plays into SAP’s hands here. The foundations are sound.
Aqarios Quantum Technologies – Optimisation through quantum computing, AI and classical technology
Anyone looking to solve a complex planning problem today generally does not yet turn to a quantum computer, as the hardware is not yet sufficiently advanced for many tasks. Those who nevertheless want to prepare for the breakthrough need the right software. Aqarios Quantum Technologies provides it. The company develops quantum algorithms and combines them on its Luna platform with artificial intelligence and classical optimisation methods. This means optimisation solutions can already be calculated on classical hardware, such as GPUs. Because Luna is hardware-agnostic, the same applications can also run on quantum computers from different providers. According to Aqarios, a hybrid algorithm improved planning efficiency in BASF’s production planning by up to 17.5% and worked up to twice as fast as the classical solution approach. For E.ON, its proprietary quantum algorithm FlexQAOA was 87 times faster than other quantum approaches, according to the company. Aqarios works with industrial companies in manufacturing, logistics and energy and cites more than 31 peer-reviewed research publications. CEO Michael Lachner describes quantum computing as the most powerful tool in the portfolio.
On September 15, Aqarios released the Constrained Quantum Optimizer in IBM’s Qiskit Functions Catalog. All IBM Quantum users can now access the algorithm, and Aqarios cites licensing and usage as revenue sources. On September 30, Schaeffler commissioned the company to carry out a proof of concept for quantum optimisation based on Luna. On October 29, Aqarios reported funding commitments for three research projects with Siemens, E.ON and other partners. They run from autumn 2026 through autumn 2029 and are intended to further develop Luna. The funding is in the mid-six-figure euro range.
How large could the market become? In its optimistic scenario, McKinsey sees the quantum computing market reaching up to USD 34 billion in 2030. Aqarios itself estimates its obtainable market for optimisation software at USD 2.3 billion. Last year, the company generated gross profit of around EUR 1 million, comprising industrial projects and research funding. Its income therefore does not come solely from quantum research. If it also succeeds in connecting Luna to enterprise software, its reach could expand. Better quantum hardware would give Aqarios a boost. The software is already up and running.
D-Wave Quantum – Annealing in use, gate-based technology under development
While Aqarios builds the software, D-Wave supplies the machines. The company focuses on quantum annealing, a method for optimisation problems, and offers access via the Leap cloud platform. D-Wave cites more than 100 customers from business, the public sector and research. A project with SkyWater shows what this looks like in practice. In factory maintenance planning, delays to production lots fell by up to 30 %, according to the announcement. On 13 October, the two companies extended their collaboration for several years.
On 8 September, D-Wave entered into the agreement with the US Department of Commerce for up to USD 100 million , which concerns annealing and gate-based systems. On 1 October, a beta programme for the gate-based technology simulator began, involving BBVA and the Jülich Supercomputing Centre, among others. On 15 October, D-Wave reported the delivery of the first annealing-based quantum computer to Italy. The EUR 10 million agreement with Swiss Quantum Technology secures the partner 50 % of the capacity for five years. A non-binding letter of intent with LG CNS followed on 28 October.
If the leap from annealing to gate-based systems succeeds, D-Wave could offer two technologies in parallel. The funding from the US is intended to accelerate precisely this. According to the company, the simulator serves to prepare for forthcoming gate-based systems. For LG CNS, this remains a non-binding letter of intent for now, and only orders will determine whether it leads to production projects. D-Wave will present its third-quarter figures on 10 November before the market opens. Then we will see how the business developed during the quarter. What is needed now is orders.
Conclusion
Planning is becoming more complex, and the required computing power is coming from several directions. SAP provides the data foundation and generated revenue of more than EUR 10 billion for the first time in the third quarter. Aqarios Quantum Technologies provides software that combines quantum computing, artificial intelligence and classical methods and already serves industrial projects. D-Wave Quantum builds the machines and has brought a product based on quantum annealing to market, while its gate-based technology is still under development. If the transition from the pilot phase to everyday use succeeds, all three could benefit. The demand is there.
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