Bob's Guide to Commodities Technology

Bob's guide to commodities technology feature OpenLink's Endur platform, SunGard's Kiodex and Calypso's trading solutions. Automatic calculation of VAR seems to be a widely-touted functionality. The CEO and Founder of Calypso is ex-Bank of America, Berkeley graduate, Charles Marston. Not mentioned in Bob's Guides is TT's X-Trader, which appears to have well-built execution functionality.

ICE closes US trade floor as Options go Electronic

The ICE Futures U.S exchange (formerly the NY Board of Trade) is closing its trading floor from October 2012 as volume goes electronic. All options listed on ICE Futures U.S will then trade exclusively through its electronic trading system.

Ben Jackson is president of the US business. He started his career in the Financial Services Strategy Practice of Andersen Consulting.

In April 2011, electronic execution accounted for approximately 10% of ICE US options volume, compared to more than 75% today - a strong validation signal that the physical trading floor was a waste of space. Mr Jackson previously championed mass adoption of Kiodex - an ASP-based commodities risk management platform for corporate hedgers owned by SunGard.

Glencore

Glencore is a commodities trading company, dealing with producers and industrial consumers. They are a Swiss company employing over 2000 people globally. Founded in 1974, Glencore acquired a Dutch grain marketing company, creating an Agricultural Products group. Glencore holds a stake in UK company, XStrata PLC. Also own a 66% interest in Perubar, a Zinc/lead mine in Peru.