Front ends and automated trading

摘要

Automated trading, also known as black box trading. is a fast growing trend and Independent Software Vendors (ISV) and Application Service Providers (ASP) are playing key roles. ISVs and ASPs can offer varying services from the basic point-and-click trading (white box trading) to automated trading as well as a combination of both (gray box). Services include trading software and connectivity to exchanges and data, and primary customers range from futures commission merchants (FCM), hedge funds, banks, prop shops and individual traders. Hamish Purdey, president at FFastFill Inc., which is the U.S. arm of London-based FFastFill LLC, says FFastFill has seen enormous growth in that area in the past six months. FFastFill started out as an ISV but has evolved to what it calls a Managed Service Provider (MSP). Rob Brown, managing director at GLTrade, Chicago office, agrees that automated trading is growing.