I remember well the days I spent on the trading floor talking with traders about how they were using the technology we had provided them with. While traders couldn’t easily express their requirements in terms of workflow automation, it was clear that this was what they really wanted. And, nearly always I knew that they were going to get frustrated just like the child who asks their parents “why can’t I have ice cream and a bag of sweets”. And the answer “well, just because” was going to be equally unsatisfactory.
These conversations usually went something like this:
Trader: I want to click in here and bring this up over here. I want to pull this data from here and send it to that system. I want to see these data values in my order blotter. I want to link these two windows. Can you do that? Can you integrate system X with application Y?
Me: Yes, but…
The ‘Yes, but…’ was usually followed by a number of different responses:
- It’s not as simple as it might look. This will require back-end and front-end changes which will take time. (Lengthy IT systems integration project)
- I’ll have to add it to the product backlog and then we will look to prioritize but it’s likely to be at least a few months or longer. (Needs to go to the back of the queue, may never get prioritized – high effort, low value)
- We need to wait until system X has been upgraded. They said we should get a release at the end of the year. (Dependency on the vendor for software release)
- We can’t do it the way you want but how about I show you what we could do? (You need to bend your business processes to fit with the technology – the classic workaround)
It was always about managing expectations and preparing the users for the worst-case scenario. Of course, there was always a small number of requests that you could push through quickly and in the way that the users wanted and when that happened it was a win-win for the business and technology. Rare but happy days all around.
The Importance of Business Needs
As technologies have evolved the focus has switched. Rather than the business having to bend its process around the technology and its limitations, the technology now flexes with the business – putting the users’ needs at the forefront and in turn, simplifying systems integration and eliminating swivel-chair workflows. This has been a major cultural shift and has seen waterfall methodologies and lengthy IT projects replaced with agile methodologies and new ways to integrate systems and applications. Silos between the business and technology have been replaced with strong collaboration between the business and technology. The traditional build v buy debate is now becoming buy, build and blend. This has led to rapid innovation on the trading floor rather than stagnation. All of these factors have enabled firms to remain competitive, achieve better operational control over their businesses and manage costs better.
With this in mind, we have seen an increased demand from firms wanting to solve one business problem at a time and take the shortest path to add value now and that’s exactly where Glue42 for Front Office fits in.
Speed up Systems Integration, solve a specific business problem and get the ROI now
The question for many embarking on digital transformation journeys is knowing where to start. The beauty of Glue42 is that we recognize there are many roads to digital transformation. So why not take a “multi-path” approach to let traders have their ice cream and their sweets?
Our Glue42 for Front Office solution provides a “bottom-up” approach to digital transformation supported with world-class technology and real-world experience. In addition, we provide out-of-the-box connectors between all the popular applications found on the trader’s desktop. And, everything we do is supported by standards such as FDC3 so you are free to bring in other interop technologies as you need to.
This means we enable firms to deliver solutions to their trading desks at lightning speed, in a matter of days rather than months.
By solving one business problem at a time within an integrated framework, Glue42 for Front Office allows end-users to get agile solutions that fit the way that they work and get business value now rather than waiting months for a solution to appear.
What is Glue42 for Front Office?
Glue42 for Front Office is a business solution that allows two or more applications to connect with each other to simplify the workflows between them, resulting in better, faster and more precise interaction.
Who is it for?
Glue42 for Front Office is for trading firms (buy sides and sell sides) that:
- want to eliminate boring repetitive data entry and swivel-chair workflows enabling their traders to focus on the market rather than the keyboard.
- want a low-cost, no-fuss, gentle introduction to digital transformation.
- want their business users to get a ready-to-go, working solution in days rather than waiting months for a 3rd party upgrade or project to go live.
- want the quickest path to ROI through workflow automation.
How does it work in practice?
Let’s take a simple example. I’m an execution trader with a trading ecosystem that comprises various applications including an OEMS, Market Data Terminal, TCA, Analytics, Chat, Excel, and more. I’m constantly having to do ‘swivel-chair, up-down workflows’ to type the same data into different applications in order to build a helicopter view of a trading opportunity. By doing this I have already missed prices and volume as well as created operational risk by potentially inputting the wrong data. This is a serious business problem on multiple fronts that Glue42 for Front Office fixes instantly.
What do I do?
I buy a Glue42 for Front Office solution which provides single-click stock synchronization between my applications, eliminates my swivel-chair workflows, and builds that helicopter view that empowers me to react faster and turn my best execution obligations into valuable execution consulting. For instance, check out the Fidessa-Bloomberg Terminal solution video.
Where can I get more details?
Visit Glue42 for Front Office to get more details and contact us with your business requirements and get a free assessment.
