Multi-echelon inventory, production scheduling, network design, and procurement as quantum optimisation problems. Current hardware limits, quantum-inspired alternatives, and strategic readiness.
Half-day executive workshop on quantum algorithms for multi-echelon supply chain optimisation. Covers inventory allocation, production scheduling, network design, and procurement as QUBO problems with honest NISQ hardware assessments and quantum-inspired alternatives.
Supply chain optimisation spans multiple interdependent decisions: how much inventory to hold at each echelon, which facilities to open or close, how to schedule production across machines, and which suppliers to award contracts to. Each of these is a combinatorial problem where solution quality directly affects cost and service levels. Classical solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX) work well for moderate instances but struggle as variable counts grow into the tens of thousands. Quantum computing approaches these problems through QUBO formulations: encoding constraints as penalty terms and objectives as quadratic functions over binary variables. This workshop maps four supply chain problem classes to quantum algorithms (QAOA, quantum annealing, VQE), explains the QUBO formulation process, and benchmarks results against classical solvers. Current NISQ hardware handles roughly 150-200 fully connected variables, so the workshop also covers quantum-inspired classical solvers (Fujitsu Digital Annealer, Toshiba SQBM+) that handle 100,000+ variables today. Participants leave with a clear understanding of which supply chain bottlenecks are quantum-amenable, what is deployable now via quantum-inspired methods, and when fault-tolerant quantum hardware will change the calculus.
Half-day session structure. Content is configurable to your organisation's supply chain complexity, echelon count, and operational priorities.
| # | Session | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Supply Chain Optimisation as a Quantum Problem Why multi-echelon networks are combinatorially hard | |
| 2 | Quantum Algorithms for Supply Chain Operations Four problem classes where quantum approaches apply |
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| Break, after 50 min | ||
| 3 | Current Hardware, Classical Alternatives, and Timeline Honest assessment of what works today versus the quantum horizon |
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| 4 | Strategic Readiness and Next Steps Practical actions without overspending on speculative technology |
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| 5 | Q&A and Discussion | |
Workshops are designed and delivered by QSECDEF in collaboration with sector specialists. All facilitators have direct experience in both quantum technologies and logistics systems.
Workshop design and delivery
QSECDEF brings world-leading expertise in post-quantum cryptography, quantum computing strategy, and defence-grade security assessment. Our advisory membership spans 600+ organisations and 1,200+ professionals working at the intersection of quantum technologies and critical infrastructure security.
Domain expertise and operational validation
Logistics workshops are co-delivered with sector specialists who bring direct operational experience in logistics organisations. This ensures workshop content is grounded in regulatory, operational, and technical realities specific to the sector.
Sessions are configured around your supply chain structure, echelon count, scheduling complexity, and existing optimisation infrastructure. Get in touch to discuss requirements and schedule a date.
Contact UsQuantum technologies are evolving quickly and new developments emerge regularly. This page was last updated on 15/03/2026. For the most current information about course content and suitability for your organisation, we recommend contacting us directly.
