Streamlining OTC Trade Order Management System for Better Results

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A well-designed OTC trade order management system can significantly reduce manual errors and increase trade execution speed.

Manual trade execution can result in a 20-30% decrease in trade execution speed compared to an automated system.

To streamline OTC trade order management, it's essential to implement a system that can process multiple orders simultaneously.

Automating trade execution can also reduce the risk of human error, which can account for up to 50% of trade errors.

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System Architecture

An Order Management System (OMS) is just one part of the full software capabilities an investment manager needs. There are 5 different system architectures to consider, each with its own operating model for investment managers.

One key consideration when choosing an OMS is how positions and transactions are constructed. There are three primary ways to do this.

Here are the three primary ways to construct positions and transactions:

  1. Flush and fill: This is the most common approach, where positions and cash are loaded every morning from an accounting source.
  2. Transaction-based: This approach, also called a live-extract Investment Book of Record (IBOR), is relatively new and only a few vendors support the Global IBOR Standard.
  3. Hybrids: This approach combines the best of both worlds, where positions are constructed but cash balances are imported.

Understand Desired System Architecture

Understanding Desired System Architecture is crucial when selecting an Order Management System (OMS). An OMS is just part of the full software capabilities an investment manager needs.

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There are 5 different system architectures for investment managers, and each has its own unique characteristics. Consider the capabilities you need and the architecture that best supports them.

When choosing an OMS, consider how positions and transactions are constructed. There are three primary ways: flush and fill, transaction-based, and hybrids.

Here are the three primary ways positions and transactions are constructed:

  1. Flush and fill: positions and cash are loaded every morning from an accounting source, and intraday trades are then added to the view.
  2. Transaction-based: positions and transactions are constructed in real-time, providing a complete and up-to-date view.
  3. Hybrids: a combination of the above two approaches, where positions are constructed but cash balances are imported.

The best OMS is designed from the ground up as a cross-asset platform, providing coherent cross-asset workflows that reduce data clutter and ensure a validated information foundation.

Management

In the management aspect of the system architecture, Limina's Order Management System (OMS) plays a crucial role. It provides a global order warehousing system, where all orders are stored and managed in a single database.

The OMS also enables pre-trade control, freezing the client's position on order registration and remitting cash on booking. This ensures that trades are executed accurately and efficiently.

Delegation of authority and order distribution between traders is also possible, allowing for a more streamlined and organized trading process. Adjustable interaction schemes between sales and traders can be set up to suit the specific needs of the organization.

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Various order types are supported, including house and client orders, limit, market, Good-Till-Date (GTD), Good-Till-Cancel (GTC), and algo orders. These options allow traders to customize their trades to meet their specific needs.

Linked orders, such as split, parent, and child orders, can be monitored and managed through the OMS. This feature enables traders to keep track of complex trades and make adjustments as needed.

The OMS also provides various options for order execution, including on-exchange, off-exchange, via algos, via execution broker's platform, via external algo machines, and via another OMS. This flexibility allows traders to execute trades in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.

In terms of connectivity, Limina's OMS can service multiple legal entities from a single installation. This reduces the complexity and cost of implementing and maintaining multiple systems.

Here is a summary of the key features of the OMS:

  • Global order warehousing system
  • Pre-trade control and cash remittance
  • Delegation of authority and order distribution
  • Adjustable interaction schemes
  • Support for various order types
  • Linked order management
  • Multiple order execution options
  • Servicing multiple legal entities from a single installation

Hardware and Software Requirements

To build a robust system architecture, you'll need to consider the hardware and software requirements.

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A minimum of 2 GB RAM is necessary to ensure smooth operation.

The processor should be an Intel Xeon Gold 5118 or better for optimal performance.

You'll also need 50 GB of available hard disk space to store data and applications.

For operating system, you can choose from Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022 (x64).

Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014/2016/2017/2019/2022 and Postgres Pro 13/14/15/16 (Standard, Enterprise) for OS Astra Linux are also viable options.

Here are the hardware and software requirements in a concise table:

Key Features

Limina's OTC trade order management system supports a wide range of order types, including single-day orders and more complex ones like block orders and order programs.

You can also use broker algos and handling instructions, which can be a game-changer for traders who need to execute complex strategies.

Block orders allow you to trade multiple portfolios at once, making it easier to manage large-scale trades.

Order programs enable you to trade multiple securities with a single order, streamlining your trading process.

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Multi-day trading is also supported, with daily allocations for the executed part of orders, giving you more flexibility in your trading strategy.

In the primary market, you can use workflows that account for bond parameters that might not be available from the market data vendor yet.

Cash vs quantity-based orders are also supported, which is useful for fund trading.

Derivative strategy orders are also supported, giving you the flexibility to trade complex derivatives.

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Advanced Handling

An OTC Trade Order Management System is designed to handle complex trading scenarios with ease. It allows for control over customer orders, enabling you to pass ownership to another user, group, or desk.

The system provides advanced order handling capabilities, including limit checks at the level of users and client codes. This ensures that trades are executed within predetermined limits, such as available cash or instruments in a position.

In addition, the system includes 'fat finger' control, which prevents errors caused by accidental keystrokes or typos. This is achieved through size, price deviation, and black list of instruments checks, with application of 'strict' and 'soft' restrictions.

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Here are some key features of advanced order handling in an OTC Trade Order Management System:

The system also supports automatic execution of trades, as well as manual selection of execution options. This flexibility allows traders to choose the best approach for each trade, depending on market conditions and their individual strategies.

Benefits and Efficiency

An OTC Trade Order Management System can bring significant benefits and efficiency to your trading operations. By consolidating all order management and execution on one platform, you can dramatically improve transparency and accountability.

One of the key advantages of an OTC Trade Order Management System is its ability to accept order flow from any EMS, OMS, or algo provider via FIX, allowing you to leverage a wide range of execution options.

With a Trade Order Management System, you can automate tasks such as order execution and trade settlement, reducing the margin for human error and freeing up valuable time for traders to focus on strategic aspects of their operations.

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Automating tasks also enables you to streamline your operations, effectively curbing operating expenses and making it easier to identify high-performing trades and operations.

Here are some of the key benefits of using a Trade Order Management System:

  • Dramatically improved transparency and accountability
  • 100% seamless OMS integration with existing trading operations
  • Accounts and account hierarchy can be imported from back office
  • Automated generation and sending of reports to customers
  • Generation of compliance reports for various regulatory needs

By leveraging the automation capabilities of a Trade Order Management System, you can take ownership of care orders, fill internal care orders out of the firm's position or inventory, and combine buy orders with sell orders for more efficient execution.

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Risk Management and Compliance

A well-designed Trade Order Management System is essential for effective risk management in trading. It automatically integrates into the trading process, logging every trade transaction and deploying a sophisticated risk management module.

This module allows traders to proactively halt unprofitable and potentially risky trades, aligning with well-defined risk management objectives to maximize profits while minimizing losses. This feature is a game-changer for traders, enabling them to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

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In today's regulatory environment, compliance is a top priority. Trade Order Management Systems play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance, automating compliance checks to reduce the risk of regulatory breaches.

These systems also facilitate the generation of comprehensive reports, aiding in regulatory audits and internal analysis. This helps traders and financial institutions stay on top of their compliance obligations and avoid costly fines.

User Experience

A well-designed user interface is essential for an OTC trade order management system. It should be fast and intuitive, allowing users to complete tasks with minimal clicks.

A good example is Limina's responsive user interface, which updates in real-time with no batches or loading time. This makes it easy to use and reduces the risk of errors.

Having a configurable order parameter autofill can also save time when raising orders.

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User Roles

User roles in a trading system are designed to provide different levels of access and functionality to users. Each role has specific responsibilities and permissions.

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The Client role allows users to submit orders through various channels, including voice, email, FIX, or the QUIK workstation. They can also review and modify their orders in the OMS orders and trades tables.

Sales users are responsible for registering, booking, tracking, changing, recalling, and returning orders for execution. They can also set fees and commissions and generate client reports.

Traders manage orders, including on-exchange, OTC, and algo execution. Interestingly, users can combine the roles of Sales and Trader.

Middle officers have access to all information and operations, but have exclusive rights to change and cancel past OTC trades.

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User Terminals

User terminals play a crucial role in the user experience of an OMS trading system. They allow users to work efficiently with orders and trades.

Customized forms for specific user roles, such as Clients, Sales, and Traders, are available on the QUIK Workstation. These forms are designed to meet the unique needs of each user group.

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For example, the Client form for OMS orders is tailored to meet the needs of clients, while the Sales/Trader form for OMS orders is optimized for sales and traders.

Special forms and 'hot keys' are designed to simplify the process of working with OMS orders. This includes easy processing of orders and internal alerts for status changes.

Here are some key features of user terminals in OMS trading systems:

  • Customized forms for Clients, Sales, and Traders
  • 'Hot keys' for easy processing of OMS orders
  • Internal alerts for status changes of OMS orders and trades

These features enable users to work efficiently and accurately, reducing errors and increasing productivity.

Strategic Decision-Making

A Trade Order Management System is a game-changer for strategic decision-making, providing real-time insights into market trends and asset performance.

By leveraging this system, traders can devise and execute well-informed strategies, making informed decisions in the complex financial landscape.

The system's analytical prowess shines a light on potential opportunities, helping traders navigate the market with confidence.

With a Trade Order Management System, every idle asset in your portfolio can be transformed into a revenue stream through Fully-Paid Securities Lending (FPSL), creating an additional income source for investors.

This innovative approach offers a new way for brokerage firms to generate revenue through FPSL, providing a fresh perspective on portfolio management.

Specific Solutions

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An OTC Trade Order Management System can integrate with various external systems via FIX, including execution broker platforms and clearing and settlement systems. This integration enables seamless communication and efficient order execution throughout the securities trading process.

To establish connections with sell-side firms, a buy-side Trade Order Management System can integrate with client order collection systems like Bloomberg TSOX, and broker networks such as Bloomberg EMSX and FIS Global Network (SunGard).

A Trade Order Management System can efficiently manage various financial instruments and products, including equities, fixed-income products (e.g., bonds), currencies, loans, cash, and derivatives (e.g., options on interest rates and currencies).

Here are some specific examples of financial instruments that can be managed through a Trade Order Management System:

  • Equities
  • Fixed-income products (e.g., bonds)
  • Currencies
  • Loans
  • Cash
  • Derivatives (e.g., options on interest rates and currencies)

Streamlining Trading

You can execute trades through an OTC execution, or use an algorithmic trading module like QUIK. This allows for flexibility in how trades are placed.

Limit checks are essential to prevent errors, and a good OMS system will perform checks at the level of users and client codes. This includes verifying available cash, instruments in a position, and more.

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A 'fat finger' control is also crucial, allowing for size and price deviations to be monitored. This helps prevent accidental trades and ensures that trades are executed as intended.

Trade audit and data archiving are also vital components of a good OMS system. This ensures that all trades are tracked and recorded for future reference.

Here are some of the key features of a good OMS system:

  • Limit check at the level of users and client codes
  • 'Fat finger' control — size, price deviation, black list of instruments
  • Trade audit and data archiving
  • Execution via QUIK Algorithmic trading module or external algo machines

These features work together to streamline trading and provide a seamless experience for traders. By automating many of the tasks involved in trading, an OMS system can help reduce errors and increase efficiency.

Nellie Hodkiewicz-Gorczany

Senior Assigning Editor

Nellie Hodkiewicz-Gorczany is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a strong background in research and content curation, Nellie has developed a unique ability to identify and assign compelling articles that capture the attention of readers. Throughout her career, Nellie has covered a wide range of topics, including the latest trends and developments in the financial services industry.

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