Academic and research access
Serious tools for curious research
Researchers and students can request selected 4colors software for non-commercial research and teaching. We consider each request individually.
Research with the engine that set best-known schedules on 113 of 480 public benchmark projects.
Software for research
Academic licenses may be available for eligible non-commercial research.
4colors Optimizer for Scheduling
Researching scheduling algorithms or benchmarking new methods?
4colors Optimizer for QUBO
Using QUBO models to investigate quantum optimization or benchmark new algorithms?
4colors Quantum Compiler
Studying circuit compilation or benchmarking quantum algorithms?
Projects of particular interest
Requests are welcome across optimization and quantum computing, especially in four areas.
Algorithm evaluation
Compare new methods against a strong reference on the same instances and budget.
Scheduling and allocation
Benchmark project, production and resource scheduling methods.
QUBO and Ising models
Solve binary and spin models with a high-performance classical solver.
Quantum benchmarking
Compile circuits for real devices and measure quantum methods against a classical baseline.
A strong classical baseline for quantum research
A quantum or hybrid method shows an advantage only when it beats the best classical solver on the same problem. The 4colors Optimizer for QUBO is a high-performance classical solver, so it sets that bar where it belongs.
Judge quantum fairly
Without a strong reference, a modest quantum result can look like progress, and a genuine advantage cannot be recognized.
Same model, same budget
Compare quality and runtime on identical instances and time limits, and report what the classical solver achieves.
Records checked independently
Records pass independent checkers before they are claimed, and benchmark maintainers check them again.
Better search should stand up to comparison.
Request academic access
Academic licenses may be available on request. Eligibility and supported products depend on the project and the available release.
- 01
Describe your project
Tell us your institution, the project you are working on, the product you would like to evaluate and how you expect to use it.
- 02
We review it
We consider requests individually.
- 03
Agree the terms
Availability and terms depend on the software and proposed use. Commercial or industry-sponsored work may require a different agreement.
Research from 4colors
Explore all articles and guides- Insight
What Can a New Best-Known Solution Actually Tell Us?
A new record in optimization is worth understanding. The interesting part is what has improved and what remains unknown.
Read the insight - Case study
Nineteen years, three hundred tasks, a better schedule
How 4colors found new answers to a scheduling challenge that has occupied optimization researchers for nearly two decades.
Read the case study - Insight
What would quantum advantage actually have to beat?
A quantum result becomes meaningful when the entire computation is measured against the strongest relevant classical alternative.
Read the insight
Tell us about your research
Every academic request is considered individually.