About Fixstars Amplify Usage
In what type of environment can Fixstars Amplify be used?
Fixstars Amplify requires an internet connection and installation of Fixstars Amplify SDK in a
Python-ready environment. For more details, see
Quick
Start
.
How do I get started with the application development process?
Install Fixstars Amplify SDK (free download) into your development environment. Sign
up
and obtain a free Token to access Fixstars Amplify AE. A token is
associated with the user account that is logged in.
32-digit alphanumeric number of the token that you have obtained can be found on the Access
Token page after you log in.
Can I use the quantum annealing or Ising machines other than the standard
machines?
If you wish to use a machine other than the standard machines supported by the Fixstars Amplify SDK
(Fixstars Amplify AE and D-Wave machines), please prepare a subscription agreement with the provider
of the machine. You can use those machines with the Fixstars Amplify SDK by using the tokens issued by
those companies. For details on how to connect to and use the quantum annealing/Ising machines
supported by the Fixstars Amplify SDK, please refer to this document.
How do I start using the D-Wave free program?
The D-Wave Free Program is open to registered Fixstars Amplify users (residents of Japan only). After
logging in, please download the D-Wave Usage Agreement, fill out the required information, and upload
it.
The agreement form will be sent to D-Wave after Fixstars confirms the contents. After receipt of the
agreement, an access token for using D-Wave via Fixstars Amplify will be provided within 3 business
days in principle.
Here is the link to the application form for use: Apply
for usage
Fees
What is the price of using the cloud?
Fixstars Amplify can be used free of charge for trial and pilot purposes for the enterprises, and
research & development
purposes for universities and other educational institutions.
For the enterprises to use for business and commercial purposes, a paid plan, Standard plan or Premium
plan, is required. Please visit the pricing page for more details. We also
offer Academic plan for universities and other educational institutions who wish to use a more
advanced computing environment. Please contact us for details.
What is the definition of the "user" in indivisual plans?
It means an individual who has registered as a user with Fixstars Amplify.
Do you offer an academic plan?
Yes. Although a Basic plan (free) can be used for research & development purposes at universities and other
educational
institutions, an Academic plan (paid) is also available for those who would like to use premium computing
environments. Please contact
us for details of academic plans.
For multi-user plans (up to 5 users) of indivisual plans, is it possible
to change or add users to the plan during the contract period?
Yes, you can change the member of the users registered to your multi-user plan of indivisual plan at any time.
Also, additional users may be added at any time asl long as it does not exceed a total of 5 users.
In what situation do we subscribe to business plans?
When a developer has completed the development and validation of a system or an application that incorporates
Fixstars Amplify and is ready to go into production for use by multiple users in the division, the Business
Plans can be the best
fit.
Once the development of the program that incorporates Fixstars Amplify is
completed and program is used in the production, do I only need a business plan and will no longer need an
indivisual plan?
Yes, that is correct. However, if a developer continues to develop or prototype other programs, etc., the
developer will continue to use the individual plan.
What is the definition of "division" in business plans?
We intend for it to be a department such as "Production Management Division" or "Production Engineering
Department" that will share the use of the system or application. Please contact us if
you have any questions.
If the same program would be used in the different divisions, does each division
have to have the separate business plans?
Yes, it does.
It seems that the business plan may have a limit on the "total number of
executions" per month. Where can I check my monthly "total number of executions"? Also, what should I do if I
have exceeded or am about to exceed that "total number of executions"?
If you subscribe to a business plan, the representative person must be registered as a user with Fixstars
Amplify, and a token will be issued to that representative person. You can check the "Total Execution Count" on
the Resource Usage page of the representative's My Page.
We are planning to set up an option to add more executions to the total number of transactions per month, in
case the total number of transactions per month is exceeded or about to be exceeded. We will announce the
release of this option on our website.
Contracts
Is the subscription monthly or annual?
Contracts must be made on a monthly basis, for the necessary number of months.
Is there a minimum contract period?
There is no minimum contract period for indivisual plans. Contracts can be made from one month. The minimum
contract period for business plan (per division) is 3 months.
How can I subscribe to a paid plan and begin using the service?
The process to start using the paid plan is as follows,
In case of transactions with
quotation/invoice
- 1. Customer
- Please request a quotation through our quotation
form or by contacting our representative.
- 2. Our company
- We will send you a quotation (generally within 3 business days).
- 3. Customer
- Please submit the order form and provide us with your Fixstars Amplify user
account (registered email address) to be linked to the a token.
- 4. Our Company
- We will issue paid a token and an invoice by the end of the month prior to the
month in which you start using the service.
- 5. Customer
- Start using the service.
If you use online payment (available only for individual
plans)
- 1. Customer
- Log in using the button in the upper right corner of the screen and click the
"Change Plan" button under Subscription Plans. Select your subscription
plan and options, then click the "Proceed to Payment" button to complete payment. Once payment
is completed, a receipt will be emailed to you.
- 2. Our company
- After confirming payment, we will issue a token (in principle within 3 business
days)*.
- 3. Customer
- Start using the service.
* A token is associated with the user account that is logged in.
* If you subscribe to the Premium Plan with multiple users, a token will be issued to the user account
logged in as "1".
We will then contact you to confirm the other accounts to be added.
Are billing and payment on a monthly basis?
Payment for the entire contract period is requested upfront as a lump-sum.
If I start using the service halfway through the month, will the fee be prorated
based on the number of days used?
Due to our monthly contractual agreements with customers, usage fees are not prorated. Regardless of
when you start using the service in the middle of the month, you will be charged one month's usage fee
for the month you start using the service.
Do I have a choice of payment methods?
Bank transfers to our bank account and online payments by credit card are available (for individual plans
only).
What does "for commercial use" on the pricing page mean, which requires having a
paid plan?
It means several situations. One example is to use the program developed using Fixstars Amplify
(either the SDK, AE, or both) in your business operations and activities. Another example is to deploy
the system embedding the program developed using Fixstars Amplify into the production environment.
Also, in case we conduct a paid Proof of Concept (PoC), a paid plan is required. Please consult the Terms of Use for further details.
Miscellaneous
Can I sell system which incorporates Fixstars Amplify?
For the use of the systems, which incorporate Fixstars Amplify developed by a partner for a specific
end-user, a paid
contract of Fixstars Amplify between the end-user and us is required. We also have a partnership
program for enterprises willing to use Fixstars Amplify for their system developments.
For more details, please contact us.
Please also contact us in case you wish to develop SaaS-type applications
using Fixstars Amplify for many end-users.
What are the hours of support?
Our support team is available to assist you with inquiries on weekdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Japan time.
Where is the Fixstars Amplify AE located?
It is located in Tokyo.
What should be the contents and handling methods of the data to be sent to Amplify
AE?
The data sent to Fixstars Amplify AE includes only information about the equation to be solved.
Fixstars Amplify AE does not store the equation information to the storage devices, and Fixstars
Amplify AE also discards it from memory after calculation.
I have other questions. Where should I contact?
Please contact us via the inquiry form. For technical questions, please use our technical
support after logging
in.
