INDUSTRY

HP announced that it has become the hardware technology partner for the London Stock Exchange’s Infolect data delivery application – acknowledged to be the fastest in the world. With a data latency of only two milliseconds, the exchange’s system broadcasts 20 million messages a day to more than 100,000 terminals in more than 100 countries. HP powers Infolect with a scalable hardware platform based on around 100 HP ProLiant servers, distributed across three London sites. The application is based on Microsoft .NET and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and was developed in partnership with both Microsoft and Accenture. HP also provides ongoing support for Infolect. The application was developed in anticipation of the demand for greater speeds in data delivery, a need for support for different protocols and a continuation of the dramatic growth in the exchange’s business. “There has been a rapid take-up of algorithmic trading solutions by client firms,” said Robin Paine, chief technology officer, London Stock Exchange. “These programmed systems are designed to target split-second nuances in the market, and there is a big demand to cut latency times. At the same time, in the last five years volumes on our order book have seen a compound annual growth rate of 43 percent, so scalable technology is a fundamental requirement.” With latency cut from 30 milliseconds to two milliseconds, the time it takes for customers to receive price information was significantly reduced. “We have always provided a first-class service, but we can now claim to be the fastest in the world as well,” said Paine. “With Infolect on HP and Microsoft, we have a lead of several years over other exchanges. The success of Infolect depends critically on the hardware platform. HP has provided us with a scalable, high-performance infrastructure that is both agile and manageable.” “HP has a history of leadership as a platform provider for stock markets, and a long-term strategic relationship with the London Stock Exchange,” said Michael Garrett, Financial Services Industry Practice Lead – UK and Ireland, HP. ”Our involvement doesn’t end with the Infolect project – we’ll be the strategic partner for the exchange’s entire four-year technology roadmap.” Infolect’s use of the Microsoft .Net framework and SQL Server is a milestone both for Microsoft and the stock exchange. Microsoft has met the exchange’s increasing need to offer clients real-time, business-critical data fluidity, and the exchange has recognized Microsoft’s ability to deploy powerful, innovative technology capable of taking on rapidly growing data loads. “The success of this project implementation is testament to the trusted relationship Microsoft has built over the years with the exchange,” said John O’Hara, general manager, Enterprise & Partner Group, Microsoft Limited. “It should act as a signal to the financial services market place that Microsoft is enterprise-ready and more than capable of meeting the demands of business-critical systems.”