1. Computer-Based Trading Room Dec04-05 Client: ISU College of Business Advisor: Dr. Gerald B. Sheblé Team Members Steve Saillard Vipul Tiwari Dan Fitch Fahim Godil Sept 16, 2004

2. List of Definitions ApacheAn open source HTTP server CBOTChicago Board of Trade Decision support systemA tool that assists the user in making educated decisions Java appletA small java application, typically embedded in a webpage Market valueLast trade price MySQLOpen source database

3. Idea Behind the Project Proposed by the College of Business Hands on experience for students Getting familiar with real world market Pros and cons of the real market Tracking each student’s performance by faculty in the lab

4. Acknowledgements Advisor – Dr. Gerald Sheblé Client – College of Business at Iowa State University and Professor Richard Carter Faculty – Dr. John Lamont and Professor Ralph Patterson

5. Problem - Solution Problem Statement – College of Business needs an efficient and inexpensive software for online trading simulation. Solution: – Software with real world examples and scenarios

6. Operating Environment Central server is Apache Plasma monitors that will display trading and market updates Computer lab located in Gerdin Building

7. Intended Users and Uses Intended Users – Students enrolled with College of Business – Faculty / Staff Uses – To get hands on experience of the real market – To face possible scenarios expected in the real market – Track student’s performance – Competitive atmosphere for students

8. Assumptions Technical – Server is capable of running Apache – Internet browsers are capable of running Java applets – Only one scenario or “game” will be run at a time – Sessions will be optimized to last several hours Non-technical Assumptions – Users understand English – Users have basic computer skills – Users have a basic understanding of trading based on historical or fictitious sets of stocks and futures

9. Limitations Efficiency of the Java Virtual Machine Amount of time to work on the project Prior knowledge of financial trading Applet needs to be intuitive Size of market not explicitly stated Maximum number of simultaneous users

10. Deliverables Project Plan Poster Design Report Final Report and Requirements End Product with games available for students

11. Approaches Considered RMI – All messages would run on the server Java Network Interface – Creating socket connections – Developing out own network structure Microsoft Access 2000 – Easy Database Creation – Not easy to setup for multiple users MySQL – Database setup – Coding in SQL

12. Approaches Used MySQL option – Apache Server – Coding was done in Java – Design flowchart

13. Research Web-based trading programs – CBOT simulator Client requirements – Client was satisfied with CBOT – Client wanted something similar First Semester – Allocating tasks – Researching and designing a flowchart on how the project goals will be accomplished

14. Research Second Semester – Implementing the ideas from first semester – Add onto the existing prototype from last semester – Running the present prototype through certain test cases – Coming up with efficient ways to update the database on a timely basis by current values from the market

15. Design Design a computer-based trading room environment for 24 users and one professor Emulate software used by major trading firms Simulate potential situations that may be faced in the workplace

16. Design Five aspects of the CBTR – User Interface – Professor Interface – Server Interface – Plasma Display Interface – MySQL Database

17. Design

18. User Functions – Place, buy or sell orders – Receive current market information – Receive their current assets Server Functions – Receive current market information – Receive current orders – Processes orders – Updates user’s assets

19. Design Professor Functions – Select market information to start game – Receive current users information – Receive current market information – Change future market information during game – Modify display information for the plasma screens

20. Design Plasma Functions – Receive market or user information – Display market or user information MySQL Database – Predefined tables – Tables can be modified by the user, professor and server

21. Accomplishments Prototype completed Spring 2004 – Client demo provided feedback Finalized the GUI for the user interface Developed the SQL connection software to be used by the user, professor, server and plasma interface

22. Future Work Complete application development – Student – Professor – Plasma Display – Server Finalize database connection classes Modify code to run as an applet Test Applications Set up lab in the Gerdin Building

23. CBTR Lab

24. Resources Member Class Meetings Research Documentation Coding Overall Fahim Godil153020 40125 Dan Fitch 153020 40125 Steve Saillard 1520302040125 Vipul Tiwari1520302040125 Totals60100 80160500

25. Timeline

26. Resources ItemW/O LaborWith Labor Parts and Materials Poster$45.00 Miscellaneous Binding$5.00 Copying$15.00 Subtotal$65.00 Labor at $11 per hour Fahim Godil $1375.00 Dan Fitch $1375.00 Steve Saillard $1375.00 Vipul Tiwari $1375.00 Subtotal$5500.00 Total$65.00$5565.00

27. Lessons Learned What went well – Team interaction – Learning about markets What did not go well – Setting meeting times – Finalizing approach Technical knowledge gained – Java – SQL – Apache

28. Lessons Learned Non-technical knowledge gained – Commodity trading – Reactions in market What would be done different – Broken up into two person groups more often

29. Risks Anticipated Potential Risks – Loss of a team member – Loss of code Unanticipated risks – Amount of communication with College of Business for server specifications

30. Summary Most simulators are proprietary – Available market simulators costly Prestige to the Finance Department and College of Business Expandable to update values based on live feeds

31. Questions?