Sun Microsystems announced at Sibos today that its entry level servers will be pre-loaded with FIX software, enabling buy-side and sell-side firms to communicate in the FIX messaging protocol without additional expenditure on software. The FIX solutions providers Financial Fusion and B2BITS are working with Sun to install the FIX-ready software. The solution is expected to be available through the Sun CRS program in early 2003.
“The Sun CRS programme demonstrates Sun’s agility and responsiveness to both its partners’ and customers’ needs,” explains Peter Kane, vice-president, Financial Markets, at Financial Fusion Inc. “We plan to offer Sun servers pre-installed with Financial Fusion Server and TradeForce GlobalFIX Bridge for SWIFTNet. Integration and optimisation takes place on the factory floor, saving time and installation costs for our customers.”
“Collaboration with Sun and leveraging the Sun CRS programme helps enable a much broader reach and penetration in the global financial services marketplace,” adds Rob Woodmansey, CEO at B2BITS. “Sun technology and customer integration programs help us deliver our innovation to the FIX marketplace at a time when adoption needs to be rapid in order to reap STP benefits.”
Announced in May, the Sun CRS programme aims to deliver ready-to-run, out-of-the-box solutions that can be customised. Users can choose from standard system integration to custom solutions using Sun and complementary third-party products. By avoiding on-site assembly and unanticipated integration problems, Sun reckons the oven-ready tools can eliminate four out of five post-installation problems.