There is no simulation of n-qubit operations by a single Hamiltonian with 2-spin interaction

Today's devices for quantum computing are still far from implementing useful and powerful quantum algorithms. Decoherence and the wish to resist the effects of errors in a system of quantum bits incurs a lot of overhead in the number of gates and qubits. From a theoretical perspective, controlled quantum simulation raises the hope to simulate the unitary quantum operationes generated by a Hamiltonian with 3-body interaction with a suitably designed element that is constructed of only 2-body interactions. That replacement would happen without any additional gates, and its possibility would be due to the ambiguity of the unit element of the Lie group connected with the algebra of traceless hermitian matrices. We show that this hope is void, and give a general proof for this for any order of interaction.Comment: 4 pages, ReVTeX4, twocolum

The Fraunhofer Quantum Computing Portal - www.qc.fraunhofer.de - A web-based Simulator of Quantum Computing Processes

Fraunhofer FIRST develops a computing service and collaborative workspace providing a convenient tool for simulation and investigation of quantum algorithms. To broaden the twenty qubit limit of workstation-based simulations to the next qubit decade we provide a dedicated high memorized Linux cluster with fast Myrinet interconnection network together with a adapted parallel simulator engine. This simulation service supplemented by a collaborative workspace is usable everywhere via web interface and integrates both hardware and software as collaboration and investigation platform for the quantum community. The beta test version realizes all common one, two and three qubit gates, arbitrary one and two bit gates, orthogonal measurements as well as special gates like Oracle, Modulo function, Quantum Fourier Transformation and arbitrary Spin-Hamiltonians up to 31 qubits. For a restricted gate set it feasible to investigate circuits with up to sixty qubits. URL: http://www.qc.fraunhofer.d

Overcoming challenges for managing IT innovations in non-IT companies

Information technology (IT) impacts almost every business unit inside the enterprise. However, the role of the IT organization as an enabler of growth and driver of business innovation is mostly ignored. In this paper we introduce six non- IT companies which asses IT innovations as important for their strategy and competitive advantage. Four companies already created formalized structures for managing IT innovations. We describe the reasons why companies have chosen to create those structures and which challenges they experienced. Furthermore, we reveal reasons why companies do not create formalized structures, although IT innovations are important for their business. As a result we propose measures how companies can overcome these challenges to manage IT innovations. Approaching these steps will not only lead to successful IT innovations and improved processes, it will also strengthen the perception of the IT organization as an innovative partner

Potential of Web 2.0 Applications for Viewer Retention

Digitalization and market deregulation have increased competition among German television broadcasters. To secure audience rates and advertising revenues, viewer retention presents an important success factor. By enabling personal relationships with an otherwise anonymous audience, the internet allows TV-stations to adopt Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Interaction and participation, driving forces of viewer relationships, represent key features of Web-2.0- applications. Based on a content analysis and expert interviews with TV-marketing representatives, this paper describes the status quo of Web-2.0-adoption by German free-to-air broadcasters and evaluates the applications’ contribution to Viewer Relationship Management (VRM). Findings show that Web-2.0-adoption still has explorative character: TV-stations test applications with respect to technological possibilities and user acceptance, while copy-right-restrictions and missing benchmarks currently present obstacles. Offering a wide range of options to promote viewer retention, Web-2.0-applications are eligible to support VRM by collecting user data and enabling individual viewer services as well as direct communication

The State of the Art in Smart City Research – A Literature Analysis on Green IS Solutions to Foster Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is one of the most critical issues worldwide, concerning every individual. The main objective in this area is to preserve scarce resources and reduce CO2 emissions in order to prevent environmental degradation. In recent years the potential of information systems (IS) as a driver for environmental sustainability has emerged under the term “Green IS”. Given that cities represent a huge share of environmental degradation due to factors such as mobility, energy and water consumption, and waste production, the municipal domain offers huge potentials in terms of sustainability. The advent of smart cites is an attempt to address this concern. In this paper we aim to provide an overview of current publications on environmental sustainability in smart cities, as research in this field is still unstructured. This paper focuses on structuring the research field by providing a research framework to achieve a more holistic view on the application of Green IS. We distinguish between research performed by the IS community and that of related fields, such as urban development, and perform a cross-sectional, exhaustive literature analysis with almost 1,500 articles to uncover the differences and commonalities between the domains

IT Innovation Budgets in Turbulent Times

In past economic downturns, companies did first of all cut IT budgets and budgets for innovation. In the current economic situation companies are not only confronted a cyclical downturn, they are faced a fundamental question about the way they do business. However, the IT organization has the potential to reduce the negative effects of the economic downturn for the company. Furthermore, the perception of the IT organization has changed towards a major enabler of business innovation. The paper investigates the development of IT innovation budgets and the influence of an IT innovation strategy on the budget. Results show that IT innovation budgets are very resistant and do not change as much as IT budgets. Moreover, developing and implementing an IT innovation strategy has a positive impact on the available budget for IT innovations

Applying Demand Response Programs for Electric Vehicle Fleets

In this study, we demonstrate the contribution of IS-supported demand response (DR) programs to the development of a sustainable transport sector. Based on the energy informatics framework, we develop an IS artifact that can be used to apply DR programs for electric vehicle (EV) fleets. Furthermore, we quantify one DR program in economic terms by analyzing data gathered in an electric mobility project with a car-sharing provider that uses EVs. The findings indicate that fleet operators can expect significant cost savings when applying DR programs; energy procurement costs can be reduced significantly by adjusting the time of energy use. Applying DR programs therefore has the potential to make EV fleets economically sensible because the already existing operational cost advantage can be further increased. Consequently, DR for EVs can foster sustainable development, as higher profitability could promote the market penetration of eco-friendly vehicles

Improved resource efficiency and cascading utilisation of renewable materials

In light of various environmental problems and challenges concerning resource allocation, the utilisation of renewable resources is increasingly important for the efficient use of raw materials. Therefore, cascading utilisation (i.e., the multiple material utilisations of renewable resources prior to their conversion into energy) and approaches that aim to further increase resource efficiency (e.g., the utilisation of by-products) can be considered guiding principles. This paper therefore introduces the Special Volume “Improved Resource Efficiency and Cascading Utilisation of Renewable Materials”. Because both research aspects, resource efficiency and cascading utilisation, belong to several disciplines, the Special Volume adopts an interdisciplinary perspective and presents 16 articles, which can be divided into four subjects: Innovative Materials based on Renewable Resources and their Impact on Sustainability and Resource Efficiency, Quantitative Models for the Integrated Optimisation of Production and Distribution in Networks for Renewable Resources, Information Technology-based Collaboration in Value Generating Networks for Renewable Resources, and Consumer Behaviour towards Eco-friendly Products. The interdisciplinary perspective allows a comprehensive overview of current research on resource efficiency, which is supplemented with 15 book reviews showing the extent to which textbooks of selected disciplines already refer to resource efficiency. This introductory article highlights the relevance of the four subjects, presents summaries of all papers, and discusses future research directions. The overall contribution of the Special Volume is that it bridges the resource efficiency research of selected disciplines and that it presents several approaches for more environmentally sound production and consumption