Current quantum computers are hugely expensive to own and difficult to maintain. This is where quantum-as-a-service comes in. Thanks to QaaS, businesses wanting to experiment with it or even start putting it to operational use don’t need to spend millions of dollars on hardware and a dedicated facility to operate it from. Instead, QaaS providers let businesses or research organizations access their quantum computers through the cloud, using a pay-as-you-go model to minimize initial overheads. QaaS is an increasingly attractive option for many businesses and organizations that want to experiment with quantum computing without incurring huge initial outlays. For instance, financial services companies are using it to model risks and understand the seemingly chaotic behavior of markets, to help them make better investment decisions. While multinational banks like JP Morgan and HSBC have money to invest in IT infrastructure, the quantum skills shortage still makes it difficult to find workers with the technical knowledge to maintain it. In short, QaaS hugely reduces (in principle) the financial cost, the logistical requirements, and the skills overhead of running quantum computing projects, potentially making it available to a much wider user base. If your business model involves modelling of complex systems, real-world environments or optimization challenges (such as finding the most efficient route between a large number of destinations), then quantum is certainly worth exploring.