Quantum computing is getting there. After years of slow but steady development to create a useful quantum computer that can outperform classical machines, we’re still squarely in the so-called “noisy intermediate-scale quantum era.

Microsoft and Atom Computing have announced what they claim is a significant step forward in reliable quantum computing, unveiling a commercial quantum machine built with 24 entangled logical qubits.

Atom Computing, the startup with which Microsoft has partnered on the new quantum computer, is backed by more than $100 million in funding. It will supply qubits and related technologies for the system. Microsoft, in turn, is supplying a so-called qubit virtualization module that will perform tasks such as correcting data processing errors.

A partnership between Microsoft and Atom Computing has leveraged high-performance computing to successfully process 24 logical qubits, or quantum bits, marking a milestone in the quest to bring fault-tolerant quantum computing to life.