New Delhi, India, September 26, 2025 – Cisco Systems has taken a groundbreaking step into the quantum computing world by launching a new software platform that connects quantum computers from various companies via the cloud. The initiative, revealed on Thursday, signals a strategic shift in how the networking giant plans to contribute to the future of quantum technology, not by building quantum machines, but by making them work together seamlessly.
As major tech companies like IBM, Google, and Microsoft continue to develop their own quantum hardware, each with different underlying technologies, Cisco is focusing on the missing link: interoperability. The company’s new software is designed to act as a translator and coordinator between quantum systems that are otherwise incompatible, effectively turning a fragmented landscape into a collaborative ecosystem.
Unlike classical computers, quantum machines process data in entirely different ways, often using superconducting circuits, trapped ions, or photons. This diversity in approach has made it challenging for developers to build applications that function across different platforms. Cisco’s software seeks to solve this by enabling the distribution of computing tasks across multiple quantum systems, regardless of how each machine operates.
With this innovation, developers will no longer be restricted to a specific quantum platform. Instead, the software intelligently allocates tasks to the most suitable machines, removing the need for developers to tailor their applications to individual quantum architectures.
“You, as the customer, as the quantum algorithm developer, should not worry about the kinds of technology that exist,” said Vijoy Pandey, Senior Vice President at Cisco’s Outshift innovation incubator. “We will handle that complexity.”
The software will be available for download next week and is part of a broader initiative that includes the development of a new generation of networking chips capable of linking quantum systems. These chips, along with the software, are central to Cisco’s vision of creating a cloud-based infrastructure where multiple quantum computers, no matter who built them, can work together in real time.
This approach aligns closely with Cisco’s core strength in networking. Rather than enter the race to build a quantum computer, the company is leaning into its expertise in making disparate systems communicate. It’s a move that reflects the changing needs of the quantum industry, where collaboration and integration may matter more in the near term than hardware supremacy.
The timing of the launch is especially significant. Investment and interest in quantum computing are at an all-time high, with governments, universities, and tech companies pouring resources into research and development. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, finance, and climate science are eagerly anticipating quantum breakthroughs that could offer solutions far beyond the reach of today’s classical computing systems.
Cisco’s entry into the space could help accelerate that future. By providing the tools to unify different quantum technologies, the company is enabling developers to start building practical applications now rather than waiting for a single dominant quantum platform to emerge. This collaborative approach could lead to faster innovation, as researchers can test, optimise, and deploy quantum solutions using a network of machines instead of relying on just one.
In the long run, Cisco’s strategy could prove crucial in shaping the next phase of computing. While other companies focus on building the fastest or most powerful quantum processor, Cisco is ensuring that all those machines, regardless of brand or design, can speak the same language.
As the quantum computing industry continues to mature, Cisco’s contribution may be remembered as one of the key enablers of real-world progress. It shows that sometimes, the most impactful innovations don’t come from building the biggest machine but from helping the ones we already have work together in powerful new ways.
By focusing on cloud-based connectivity and software integration, Cisco is not just entering the quantum conversation; it’s helping define how the conversation will evolve.
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