CMS comprises of a number of loosely coupled modules that each provides discrete units of business functionality. These modules can be configured in a custom manner to enable the functionality that you require. The flexible nature of the system allows for additional data sources to be added quickly and easily.

• Integration framework and single point of entry to multiple data sources
•  ‘Plug and play’ addition of business logic units 
• Built in security and auditing through .Net framework
• Real time information dissemination
• Provides external APIs for customer client information
• Provides both high speed TCP/binary interfaces and very flexible multiple platform Web Services
• Direct link access via LAN or VPN, or through internet via WAN 

Various flavours of the Nutcracker Online Application Host (NOAH), Nutcracker’s flagship front end application, exist.  Each of the NOAH options uses different technologies to offer the same kind of functionality to the end user. This allows you to choose the technology and platform that suite your facilities and budget in the most effective manner.

A brief overview of the technologies used:

• NOAH – full blown professional trading and portfolio management application. Uses Microsoft Win Forms technologies
• NOAH Compact - lightweight and more flexible rich internet applications (RIA). Uses Microsoft Silverlight.
• NOAH XL – uses Microsoft Excel to host the functionality. Allows users to subscribe to live data using User Defined functions in cells in a worksheet in XL.
• NOAH API – Allows clients to use connect to and interact with CMS using prebuilt Nutcracker components. All security, audit tracking and communications is handled by NOAH API which provides an easy to use list of functionality. 
  

The data and business functionality offered by CMS is largely dependent on the availability of connections to data feeds. Nutcracker provides a range of “CMS drivers” that can communicate to different data feeds to deliver real-time information for anyone in financial markets by downloading, validating and extracting the information to relevant databases. All drivers are modular so functionality can be added or subtracted as required by your various technology needs.

• JSE Equities – connects to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange trading interface, delivers public broadcast to CMS for further processing and sends on private requests from traders.
• FIX Engine – provides a data feed that can connect with other FIX engines, allowing communication between third party trading servers using industry standard protocols. FIX is vital for trading between international markets.
• Portfolio data updater – downloads portfolio files from the various exchanges at predetermined intervals. Used for portfolio management and risk management.
• International Data Feeds – retrieves world indices, currency and commodity data from external international data vendors
• Single Stock Futures (SSF) and Contracts for Differences (CFD) – a variety of front ends and business logic modules provide CFD and SSF solutions.
• Prime Broking – provides multi-market and portfolio monitoring, including live costing, valuations, profit and loss capabilities from multiple data sources such as JSE equities, futures and international trades. Incorporates real-time monitoring features and the ability to send email alerts when client-specified criteria are breached.
• Statement Printing – creates JSE reports, ad-hoc reports and customer reports that can be viewed by traders and end users. These can be exported to PDF, CSV or HTML and sent to users on demand.
• OTC Trading and Exchange Simulator – simulates Stock Exchange environments to provide over the counter (OTC) trading facilities. Provides all standard features of a stock exchange.

Nutcracker Technologies - Overview of architecture

• Microsoft based - Windows OS platforms
• Modular (loosely coupled) design with pluggable components for modifying and updating system features and functionality
• Service Orientated architecture – Web service endpoints for cross platform operation and Binary TCP endpoints for performance
• Use windows services for server side software. Provides for IT support to configure security operation, default monitoring tools and automatic restarting without IT support invention. This simplifies continuous operation and uptime
• Proactive reporting using SMS and/or Email if required
• Optimised for LAN and WAN operation using load balancing servers and complex distribution models
• Designed for fault tolerance and dynamic disaster recovery (DR) as far as possible

• Windows OS’s and DotNet 3.5
• SQL Server for data storage
• MSMQ to enable loose coupling, asynchronous operation and load balancing
• WinForms, ASP.Net and Silverlight technologies