FXall, which released the first version of its online foreign exchange trading software in 2001, has built up a network of some 700 institutional customers and 53 liquidity-providing banks in that short time, including Citigroup, HSBC and Bank of America. Now, it is pushing the technology forward with the introduction of a new offering, Altair, the latest version of its core FX trading platform. The new software system contains more than 20 new features, including a redesigned interface and improved functionality. "We've provided tools that allow customers to adapt their existing workflow to an electronic environment," says Mark Warms, global head of sales and marketing at FXall. Altair can be used either as an out-of-the-box solution or integrated seamlessly with in-house or third-party treasury management systems. Among its major enhancements, Altair brings an ease of use factor to trading by reducing the number of tasks involved in arranging and making small changes to the most complex trades. The interface also has been updated to cut down on the number of keystrokes necessary for the most basic operations. The system for the first time provides trading and settlement for loans and deposits in the money markets. Another enhancement to its Settlement Center module provides automatic netting of all transactions with each counterparty and finalizes the netting details and settlement instructions, accomplishing a process that used to take hours in a matter of seconds.

For companies that trade on behalf of multiple corporate subsidiaries, Altair can manage the process as a single block trade, saving time and money. Once the trade is completed, it can then break down the subsidiary trades automatically for booking back into the in-house treasury management system.