Commodity Futures Trading : Brokerage Services

Photon Trader

PhotonTrader is considered the state-of-the-art electronic futures trading platform by the futures trading community for a number of key reasons. Photon's trading architecture provides everything a trader requires in order to win the advantage when executing a trade electronically.

Speed

In electronic futures trading speed is one of the most important factors to securing your trades effectively. The rule of thumb is: First in, first executed. That means that in order to get better executed fills, you need to get your trade in as quickly as possible. Most trading platforms execute in 1-5 seconds. This time frame is far too slow for a professional trader. When there is fast trading market in one direction there can be 4-5 price changes per second. Therefore your quotes and executions can be so far behind that you miscalculate the market and lose execution opportunities. Photon executes in as fast as 2/10's of a second. Photon connects directly to all exchanges for execution and data feed. Customers can connect to Photon through the Internet or through a direct hard LAN line to the servers.

Reliability

The Photon architecture includes redundancies within its structure, in order to create a seamless backup system in case of server or power failures. Photon is securely, steadfastly powered by Sun Microsystems servers.

Obviously, it is costly to a customer when a trading system goes down and trades are botched or missed. PhotonTrader's redundant architecture enables our customers to feel secure in the knowledge that such disasters will not occur.

Easy Functionality

As in any competitive event, focus is an essential ingredient to winning. But if a trading platform is cumbersome or lacks trading functions needed for easy execution, it is distracting to use, taking away your focus, and disrupting your trading game. PhotonTrader offers multiple one click trading modules and easy custom features that you can arrange at will on a personal page, just the way you like it. By having the newest and best in trading equipment, you are able to perform at the highest level.

Customer Service

Photon prioritizes customer service. When systems fail or connections are dropped on either side this can be a disaster for traders. Every second can seem like an hour. During this time you need to a help desk to clear up any orders or positions that are in question. Photon has a 24/7 staff who can perform order discovery and alternate executions. Photon also has a 24 hour technical support line that can help with non-emergency questions.

Automated Programming

Almost all electronic trading platforms have closed API's and will not allow a trading system to interface with the exchange of their choice. This is usually because some systems do not have the capabilities or the programming staff to perform those functions. Photon has an open API with multiple ways to interface with an automated trading program. Photon also has programmers on staff that are available to help accomplish trading system goals.

Global Exchange Access

Many trading platforms only allow limited exchange access. Some only provide access to US exchanges. Moreover, when access to multiple exchanges is available, electronic platforms frequently charge extra monthly costs for each additional exchange traded on. Photon offers Global Exchange Access at no extra cost to the trader.