Case in Point: The IFP Excel Add-in

Efficiency

Our client, a large asset manager, found the uploading of numerous OTC trades throughout the day too time-consuming. Their front office had to switch focus from the business they knew to becoming technology experts, which forced them to place heavy demands on their support team. The front office staff were not seeing positions flow into their portfolios in a timely manner, which could leave them exposed and affect trading decisions.

The IFP Excel Add-in now allows the front office to quickly enter OTC trades into Imagine and focus on managing risk while also freeing up our client’s internal resources. Also, having the front office staff manage trade uploads, instead of their IT department, reduced the possibility for error since they are more versed with changing security types and markets—they understand the business.

Flat Learning Curve

Another service we provided for our client was to deliver a set of customized spreadsheets that replicated the tools and applications they have used in the past–tools they know inside and out. Our IFP Excel Add-in customization services dramatically reduced any downtime associated with learning a new application as well as the demand placed on their internal support teams when transitioning from one system to another. Now they had screens that mimicked what their screens have always looked like—which allowed for an almost seamless transition.

With all their Imagine information now viewable in Excel, our client could easily leverage Imagine’s data with Excel functionality for reporting, analyzing, and third-party reconciliation.

Targeted and Focused

We took the robust Imagine system and excised the market data and risk management information that they wanted to see in the form they already recognized. And now they are viewing and working with it in Excel—a powerful program that enables them to easily focus on their expertise, the business of trading.

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About the Author

James Andrecovich was integral in the testing and implementation of Bloomberg pricing and continues to advise on enhancements to Imagine Trading System for optimum client user experience.

James holds a Masters in Mathematical Finance from Rutgers University. Contact our consultants by email or phone: 212-317-7600