VOLUME 20 - BULLETIN #166 New Customer Network Implementation

TO:	ALL CLEARING MEMBERS
FROM:	BUSINESS SYSTEMS GROUP
DATE:	May 26, 2000
SUBJECT:	New Customer Network Implementation

On October 19, 1999, the Board of Trade Clearing Corporation published Volume 19 – Bulletin # 283 announcing the construction of a new customer network as a major strategic objective. To meet the needs of increased communication traffic and allow for the development and implementation of new technology, it is necessary for Clearing to install this new network. Firms should be aware of the impact to their back office operations if they do not devote resources to the testing and installation of the new network. Outlined below is an impact assessment list if firms do not convert to the new network.

1. RJE will not be supported. Firms will not be able to transmit via RJE the following data files:

• Large Trader

• Open Interest

• Related Accounts

• SAFE

As submission of this information is required, firms will have to key this data on-line to meet their obligation as a clearing member.

There is no front-end entry system supported by Clearing for SAFE or Related Accounts. Firms who are unable to FTP SAFE information via the new network will no longer be able to use the SAFE system or receive any SAFE reports. Firms will need to contact the CBOT’s Office of Investigation and Audits (OIA) if they are unable to FTP Related Accounts data to Clearing.

2. Firms will not be able to access the following data files via RJE provided by Clearing:

• SPAN Arrays

• Settlement Prices

• Broker Delegate File

• Firm/Broker Edit File

• Trade Register Data File

• GAINS

• ATOM

Clearing will provide this information on back-up media only in the event of a disaster. This data is critical to the firm’s ability to edit trade entry data, process bookkeeping and balance to clearing as well as for generating the appropriate transactions for accounting department general ledger systems.

3. End of day re-transmissions of trade duplication files such as give-up allocations and claims due to problems with MQM will not be supported on the old network. Our back-up to these transmissions is to FTP the data which can only be performed over the new network.

4. There will be no access to the ACT system on the Clearing Corporation Intranet. Access via the Internet will be available, however, system performance for the following applications will be at the mercy of the firm’s ISP (Internet Service Provider). In addition, each firm has its own policy on their staff’s ability to access the Internet. If the Internet is chosen as the method to access these systems, firms must ensure that the appropriate staff has access.

• Pay/Collect

• Clearing Manual

• EFP processing outside of the API (future development will also include transfer, misclears and Give-ups)

The Clearing Corporation plans to have all clearing members utilizing and benefiting from the new customer network by Friday, September 1. As stated in previous bulletins and presentations, the installation of the new network is providing the necessary room to expand – without it, we would not be able to support your future business needs.

Should you have any questions, please call or e-mail one of the following Business Systems Analysts: