According to The Next Web, Riverlane’s Series C funding will propel the startup towards achieving the goal of having 1 million error-free quantum operations by the year 2026.

High Potential

Quantum technologies have the potential to change people’s perspectives about computation. They can unlock numerous transformative capabilities in different industries, including logistics, energy, and pharmaceuticals.

However, two things must happen to unlock these possibilities – scaling the number of physical qubits and reducing quantum computing errors.

Error Prone Pathways

There are several technological pathways for creating qubits in quantum computing. These pathways include trapped ion qubits, superconducting qubits, neutral atom qubits, and photonic qubits, among others. The common thing about each of these pathways is vulnerability to errors.

These errors can result from technical and physical challenges that include control, thermal noise, and external electromagnetic interference. Errors lead to the loss of quantum states in qubits. This affects the reliability and performance of quantum computers. The best quantum computers perform hundreds of operations before getting overwhelmed by errors.

But to ensure that quantum computers solve real problems, the number of operations needs to increase to billions and trillions of error-free operations. Quantum Error Correction technology is needed to bridge this gap – and Riverlane is providing this solution.

“In the same way that GPUs were needed to scale up AI workloads, so error-correction chips are needed to scale up quantum computers,” Steve Brierley, founder and CEO of Riverlane said.

Adding Redundancy

Quantum error correction technology works by adding redundancy. This ensures that if any qubits fails, the system does not stop but keeps working.

The technology achieves this by forming abstract logical qubits from a bigger pool of physical qubits. This makes it possible to detect and rectify errors without interfering with encoded information.

Riverlane’s quantum computing error-correction chip and software are pathway agnostic. They operate with any quantum computing approach available.

Market Positioning

Riverlane’s quantum computing market positioning is that of a technology supplier to a wide range of tech companies. This positioning has convinced tech investors to support the Cambridge startup that was founded in 2016. Brierley says investors now have a good understanding of quantum computing.

“When I founded the company the question was, ‘What is quantum computing? Why should I be interested?’ This narrative and understanding have really progressed. Now, people have a very clear understanding of the importance of quantum error correction and that it is the central next phase of quantum computing,” he said.

Riverlane will use the latest funding to scale its research and development capabilities and develop new products.

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Information Technology (IT) infrastructure supports everything from daily operations to long-term strategic goals. How you manage that infrastructure can determine your enterprise’s success or failure.

This article will explore industry best practices every enterprise needs to stay ahead of the curve.

But before we do, let’s first understand what IT infrastructure is and what it entails.

What is Enterprise IT Infrastructure?

When we talk about IT infrastructure, images of hardware come to mind. But yes, while it does include physical components like servers, data centers, routers, switches, and personal computers, it goes further than that.

On the software side, we’re looking at operating systems, enterprise applications, and middleware that help different software pieces talk to each other.

Network resources include the Internet, intranet, extranet, and telephones—everything that ensures communication.

Then, there are the services, which can be anything from system administration and data storage to security measures, disaster recovery solutions, and cloud services.

Put together, all these elements ensure smooth communication, efficient data management, and reliable application operation.

Without them, businesses would have difficulty maintaining productivity, securing data, and adapting to market changes.

In simple terms, IT infrastructure is more than having the right tools and technologies. It’s about ensuring they all work together seamlessly to support the enterprise’s goals and needs. Done right, it ensures all IT resources are in sync, providing reliable and efficient services crucial for a business’s success and growth.

What is Enterprise IT Infrastructure Management?

All the resources mentioned above need to operate effectively and efficiently. That’s what enterprise IT infrastructure management is all about.

This could include maintaining servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and other components that support the organization’s IT services on a day-to-day basis.

A well-managed IT infrastructure is secure, performs optimally, and has little to no instances of downtime, thereby allowing the enterprise to meet its operational objectives.

How Enterprise IT Infrastructure Differs from Others

IT infrastructure used by individuals and small businesses differs significantly from that used by enterprises.

For one, enterprise IT infrastructure is enormous. It serves a massive user base and supports extensive operations, and therefore requires more robust, scalable, and redundant systems.

Enterprise operations require more complex applications to handle the massive amount of data streaming by the second! With a scale this vast, managing enterprise IT infrastructure needs to be more sophisticated, employ stricter security measures, and more comprehensive policies, and use only specialized personnel.

That is not to say that small businesses’ IT infrastructure should get less attention. No, not at all. There are ways to manage IT infrastructure deployed on a smaller scale without all the hassle, finances, and manpower involved. However, when it comes to enterprise IT infrastructure, the stakes are enormous and must involve more robust approaches, which we’ll discuss in the next section.

6 Best Practices for Enterprise IT Infrastructure Management

Running an efficient and cost-effective IT infrastructure requires doing the following:

1. Adopt A Proactive Monitoring Approach

Being proactive with monitoring will allow you to detect and solve problems before they escalate into even more significant issues. Companies that proactively monitor their IT infrastructure report fewer outages.

But how do you stay ahead of potential IT issues?

Overall, Gartner advises building an IT infrastructure ready for the unknown. However, specific to proactive monitoring, consider adopting tools like Nagios and SolarWinds.

Nagios is one of the most comprehensive IT monitoring tools out there. This open-source tool alerts users of any issues affecting systems, networks, and infrastructure, letting you proactively stay on top of issues.

SolarWinds is excellent for monitoring network performance. Its suite of products allows users to monitor network traffic in real-time and diagnose and troubleshoot network issues quickly. With SolarWinds, you can prevent downtime, ensure your IT teams operate efficiently, and guarantee business continuity.

2. Implement Robust Security Measures

Years ago, cybersecurity was mainly an IT concern. But this is no longer the case. Cyber threats have become more widespread and increasingly sophisticated, so implementing tight security is now a business concern. Statista estimates the cost of cybercrime by 2029 at $15.63 trillion.

So, what can enterprises do?

Invest in firewalls and intrusion detection systems, and audit security regularly.

• Firewalls prevent unauthorized access to your network by blocking out untrusted networks.
• Intrusion detection systems, such as Suricata and Snort, look for suspicious activity in network traffic and alert IT administrators of potential dangers.
• Regular audits ensure that your organization uses only the latest IT security measures. Regularly auditing your IT security also means you can promptly identify and address any vulnerabilities.

It is also essential to educate employees regularly. Employees need to know IT security best practices, such as recognizing a phishing attempt and why strong passwords are essential. In a nutshell, your training should ensure that your whole organization embraces a culture of security awareness.

3. Leverage Cloud Solutions

The cloud has revolutionized how enterprises manage their IT infrastructure. 94% of enterprises use cloud services.

And why not?

Cloud solutions are scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient and are, therefore, perfect for enterprises.

We’re talking:

• Cloud storage services, such as Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage. These solutions are scalable and can grow with the enterprise’s needs.
• Cloud computing platforms, like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure, offer a wide range of services, including computing power, databases, and machine learning tools, all accessible over the internet.
• Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, such as Salesforce or Office 365, allow enterprises to use software on a subscription basis without needing local installation and maintenance.

By leveraging these cloud solutions, enterprises can significantly enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve disaster recovery capabilities.

4. Adopt Automation and AI

Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) were once futuristic concepts, but they are no longer. They are now an essential component of any modern organization.

Automating can streamline repetitive IT tasks, reduce workload and fatigue, minimize human errors, and free up your IT staff to perform more strategic tasks.

AI can help you crunch through more security data faster and more accurately, predict potential security issues, and provide data-driven insights. With AI, productivity can improve by up to 66%.

Automation tools like Puppet and Ansible are worth considering. These tools automate the deployment and management of IT infrastructure, ensure consistency, and reduce time spent on routine tasks.

AI tools and startups are receiving billions of dollars in investor funding. Still, the best bet for enterprises is probably IBM Watson and Google AI Platform, especially from a scalability point of view. These technologies enable enterprises to operate more efficiently, reduce operational costs, and make better-informed decisions.

5. Regularly Update And Maintain Systems

Updating your system is one of the simplest yet most important ways to keep your IT infrastructure secure. Outdated systems are inefficient and, therefore, vulnerable to attack. On the other hand, updated systems address previous security issues with patches. Most data breaches are actually due to unpatched vulnerabilities.

When you maintain and update your system regularly, you keep it secure and efficient.

• System updates go beyond applying security patches. They also include updating hardware and ensuring your systems comply with the latest security standards.
• Automation is a great way to ensure you always get updates and maintenance schedules.

6. Embrace Hybrid IT Environments

You can house some of your IT infrastructure on your business premises and some of it in the cloud. Companies adopting a hybrid IT environment enjoy more flexibility, better performance, and data redundancy.

Housing critical applications on-premises gives you more control over their security. On the other hand, using the cloud for less critical applications provides more scalability while allowing you to cut costs.

Hybrid setups allow enterprises to optimize resource utilization, enhance disaster recovery capabilities through efficient cyber-resilient strategies, and improve overall agility.

With tools like VMware Cloud on AWS or Microsoft Azure Stack, you can seamlessly integrate a strategy that includes on-premise and cloud solutions to build a practical hybrid IT environment for your business.

Takeaways:

To recap, here are some takeaways from this article:

IT infrastructure management is the cornerstone of a successful enterprise. The most successful and adaptable enterprises use these best practices to manage their IT infrastructure:

• Proactive Monitoring
• Implementing Robust Security Measures
• Leveraging Cloud Solutions
• Embracing Automation and AI
• Regularly Updating Systems
• Opting for Hybrid IT Environments

By applying the best practices mentioned above, your organization can enhance operational efficiency and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving digital environment.

The post Best Practices for IT Infrastructure Management for Enterprises appeared first on Tech Research Online.

Quantum computing holds the potential to revolutionize AI despite still being in its early phases. Companies like Microsoft, IBM, Google, and Honeywell have already invested in technology to create many innovations and breakthroughs.   

But, before we get our hands dirty, lets us first understand:    

What is Quantum Computing?    

Well, quantum computing is quite similar to traditional computing as it relies on bits to encode information. But what makes quantum computing unique is its version of bits, also called a qubit.  

Qubit makes quantum computing revolutionary as it can have information in multiple states at the same time. This results in the effects of quantum mechanics, such as entanglement and superposition.   

And, if you are wondering, yes, this is the spooky world of Schrodinger’s cat, both alive and dead.

According to Dr. Jay Gambetta, vice president of IBM Quantum, “Quantum computing is a new kind of computing, using the same physical rules that atoms follow to manipulate information.”   

“At this fundamental level, quantum computers execute quantum circuits—like a computer’s logical circuits, but now using the physical phenomena of superposition, entanglement, and interference to implement mathematical calculations out of the reach of even our most advanced supercomputers.”  

Quantum computers aren’t mainstream yet; their arrival will require algorithms. Google, recently, launched a new version of TensorFlow Quantum (TFQ), the TensorFlow framework. TFQ is an open-source library for prototyping learning models to make it possible for developers to create hybrid AI algorithms.   

TFQ, a smart amalgamation of TensorFlow and Cinq, allows building deep learning models combining both traditional and quantum computing techniques to run with minimal lines of Python.   

Google AI, in a blog post, said TFQ has been designed to provide the necessary tools to bring in the techniques of quantum computing and machine learning research communities together to build and control artificial quantum systems. e.g., Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) processors with ~50 – 100 qubits.  

Quantum computing aims to extend the abilities of traditional computing by performing tasks accurately and efficiently than conventional computers. Experts believe that, instead of replacing their traditional counterparts, quantum computers will leverage classical computers to support their specialized abilities.  

How Quantum Computing Can Benefit Artificial Intelligence?  

To run increasingly complex programs, scientists have been trying to better software for decades; however, software optimization has its limitations.   

With increasingly complex machines, businesses will require more powerful machines sooner or later. Therefore, experts are working to figure out a way to extract value by expediting this process from the unmanageable swaths of data. This has given rise to a new discipline known as Quantum Machine Learning.   

Reportedly, quantum computing will grow from USD 93 million in 2019 to USD 283 million by 2024, at a CAGR of 24.9%.  

Now, we know that quantum machine learning is more efficient than classic machine learning. However, there is still no known scope as to what extent do these models appear in practical applications.

So, let’s pounce on the ways quantum computing could change the future of artificial intelligence:  

1. Datasets  

We are dealing with newer technologies every day, for instance, AI and machine learning. These technologies tend to eat a lot of data which makes it difficult for traditional computers to evaluate massive datasets.   

On the other hand, quantum computers are designed to manage huge datasets, along with spotting anomalies and uncovering patterns quickly. Developers can manage the potential of qubits with the newly launched iteration of new designs and improvements made on the quantum error-correction code.   

Another way quantum computing can facilitate revolution, apart from sampling large datasets, is to be the same for solving all kinds of business problems. Quantum computers will give immense power to businesses for better decision-making.   

2. Complex Problem Solving  

Today, businesses are managing the growth of dataset that is faster than our computing resources. Quantum computers can complete these calculations within seconds, which today’s computers may take years to calculate.   

Traditional computers work on a principle called superposition representing a combination of both zero and one, unlike traditional computers. Because of this, quantum computers are exponentially faster and can-do multiple calculations with multiple inputs simultaneously.    

Google’s quantum computer can calculate 100 million times faster than today’s computer systems. Such a system is critical to process the monumental amount of data generated by businesses daily. The fast calculation can be used to solve very complex real-world problems by converting them into quantum language.  

3. Building Better Models  

With the increasing amount of data, businesses are losing ties with classical computing rope. They require complex models with the potential to process the most complex situations to have a better data framework.   

Here, quantum computers play a huge role by creating better models with quantum technology. They lead to a decrease in a financial implosion in the banking sector, better treatments for diseases in the healthcare sector, and improve the logistics chain in the manufacturing industry.  

4. Integration of Multiple Datasets  

Organizations face the problem of varying amounts of data provided, either it could be too much or too little. Many time the data is placed in a variety of datasets to manage and integrate multiple numbers of datasets   

Quantum computers can be used can makes the process quicker and analysis easier. This means that businesses will allow for quick analysis and integration of large datasets to improve and transform machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities.    

Quantum computers’ ability to handle many stakes makes them an adequate choice for solving business problems.  

5. Combat Fraud Detection  

Quantum computing applications with integration of AI, in the banking and financial sector, will improve and combat fraud detection. 

A fraud detection model trained using quantum computers is capable of detecting hard-to-spot patterns using conventional equipment. However, improvement in algorithms helps in managing the volume of information.    

Also, for the companies aiming to provide customers in the BFSI sector with tailored products, the best way to achieve this is by using advanced recommendation systems. Several quantum models could also be used to enhance these systems’ performance.   

One starts to understand the caveats buried and the existing challenges of quantum computing when you dig deeper into the details.   

The post Quantum Computing the Future of AI appeared first on Tech Research Online.

In recent times, technology has become a crucial part of businesses. The increasing usage of technology has created an immense need to increase the efficiency of an organization’s operating components. IT infrastructure is of utmost importance to monitor and manage them and overcome the challenges of the traditional system. That organization has to improve its IT infrastructure management including networks, cloud computing, IT, security, server, data, application, and others. A good and reliable infrastructure requires ensures good quality service while enhancing the benefits. It is also essential to cost reduction, ensuring the information flow, maintaining the standards, and managing existing and new staff.

Taking control of your organization’s IT infrastructure management simply means controlling IT and the digital environment. This also means that the more control one has on IT infrastructure; they will be able to establish better stability in business and technology. So let’s discuss some of the benefits and importance of IT infrastructure management on your organization:

Improve User Experience

Managing and monitoring IT infrastructure can help organizations create better end-users’ experience. They can prevent and control sudden downtime when necessary, such as for maintenance and other purposes. Users can be alerted beforehand to avoid any surprises and inconveniences.

Keep Productivity Flowing

Maintaining IT infrastructure also enables organizations to recover or restore data in case of data loss, corruption, or otherwise compromised. They will be able to retrieve and restore crucial data in times of disaster building backups in IT infrastructure. This will also enable end-users to retain and access the information they might require to continue working.

Reduce Costs

For organizations not managing IT infrastructure, there won’t be any prediction in case disasters. During such times as it is commonly said to manage the reactive approaches can lead to major data loss, lengthy downtimes, and a lot of scrambling around. When the unexpected happens, unexpected costs go hand-in-hand. To save the company from such costs during disasters and aftermath, organizations have to simply be proactive and manage their infrastructure beforehand.

Make Smarter IT Decisions

For all the organizations that don’t know their IT infrastructure, there are high chances that they don’t know the behavior or performance of their IT environment. This continues until the time a disaster strikes. Organizations can detect changes and upgrades required in their systems and mitigate risks if they manage their IT environment. They will also stay updated when there is a need for a patch or when they have outgrown storage capacities. This way they can come up with a solution before a situation becomes critical.

Limit Disasters

Even if an organization is successfully managing there IT infrastructure, there is still a chance that a disaster may occur. However, even in such cases organizations already managing there IT infrastructure seriously will be able to reduce their occurrence and most importantly minimize their damage. For example, by monitoring backups for the high number of recently changed files, an organization can detect ransomware viruses.

Ways to Improve IT Infrastructure Management Instantly

Organizations can improve their IT infrastructure by adjusting it to be more agility and simplicity. This will also help the organization to reduce the time, effort and budget required to manage yours internally. Organizations can better identify weaknesses and necessary improvements in infrastructure by simplifying equipment and processes.

Below are some guidelines that will help organizations simplify IT infrastructure for improving strength in management:

• Start with the implementation of virtualization for efficiency. This will move the workload to more powerful servers.
• Backup your data to the cloud. This will help in preventing any major data loss due to infrastructure failures
• Monitor backup reports. The first indication of a ransomware attack is an unusually high number of recently modified files
• Invest in cloud services. Such services can help an organization to scale up and down as demands and technology change.

Furthermore, IT infrastructure management is also being rapidly adopted by several organizations to meet the existing demands of the customers and the market. Organizations are adapting to provide its user with rich experience. By enhancing and reevaluating their resources they are also increasing the substantial value of the organization. To adopt practices that are best in industry and can also increase the scalability of the enterprise it is crucial to managing all the areas of infrastructure as they are deeply interlinked. Management also plays a pivotal role in reducing costs, ensuring the quality of the service, and preventing risk.

Conclusion

IT infrastructure and overall focus are to keep data safe and secure. Additionally, it bridges communication between internal and external networks, reducing the operating cost of a company, and meeting the demands of the customers. It subsidies the major business challenges faced by organizations and the pivotal role in shaping the future. It also provides improved processes, policies, managing the networks, IT assets, collecting efficient data, IT staff, and others. Proper handling of IT infrastructure management at different levels also increases the strategic planning and business revenues of an organization. Today, the importance of IT infrastructure management in an organization has increased as it also helps them achieve higher targets.

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