An overview of the courses:

Inside Reference Data training:

24-25 May, New York
21-22 June, London

Overview of the course:

The course will provide the basics of reference data within the financial services industry including definitions and the roles of data within the trade cycle. A perspective of what is available and how to use to it will be highlighted. Attendees will receive a working knowledge of reference data along with practical tips about utilizing it. The course will provide the groundwork to begin the journey to data management certification.

Learning outcomes:

-The roles of reference data within the trade cycle
-The sources of reference data
-Understanding the use and rationale of identifiers
-The major issues and concerns experienced by companies and what works to resolve them
-Data feeds and licensing limitations
-Delivery mechanisms that are offered for reference data
-Approaches to commercial terms relating to reference data
-Regulatory concerns and rules governing reference data

Target audience:

Data professionals who are seeking a basic understanding of reference data and its impact on the business; such as: Securities master file stewards; data governance; data operations; data procurement; securities master set-up teams; securities operations business analysts; risk operations; compliance operations. Open for business and technical professionals as well as compliance and risk staff who would like to better understand reference data and its impact to the business.

Inside Market Data Training:

London 22-23 March, 2010
New York 26-27 April, 2010

About the course

Despite ongoing challenging business conditions, banks and financial institutions continue to implement higher performing market data systems. Some organisations are focusing on improved market access and others are looking for overall price/performance value. In this course attendees will gain key understandings of the technical and administrative aspects of the market data arena. The programme also hones in on the methods used to deliver cost effective access to market data, in particular managing costs in the current environment. This course is aimed at those who have particular interest or responsibilities for market data in all its forms.

Course highlights

-Understand what market and reference data is and where it is used within large financial institutions
-Be aware of the main products and vendors of market and reference data
-Familiarise yourself with the latest strategies for cost control
-Understand the challenges and responsibilities related to managing market data
-Hear from key data providers on their strengths and weaknesses

Learning outcomes

-Identifying alternative data sources
-Developing and executing cost management strategies
-Better understanding for cost allocation and finance methodologies
-Comparing the product offerings delivered by the key data providers
-Maintaining reporting on business unit market data inventories and product utilisation
-Strengthening your vendor knowledge to better understand end user requirements

Waters Training:

This 2 day course investigates the technology used to support financial trading activity, whilst focussing on the front office it also draws in the increasing technical sophistication of the middle and back offices. Indeed the last few years have seen a burring of the traditional technical divisions between these areas and the increasing view of market data and reference data as common resources for all stages of the trading cycle. Aspects from the telephone to the latest Algo Trading systems are investigated with a view to providing a balanced overview of the choices and priorities relevant to systems architecture, design and selection.

Course highlights

-Introduction to the utility and specialist technologies used in dealing rooms
-Understanding of market data vendor distribution Infrastructures
-Choices and options when selecting low latency system components
-Efficient publishing of data Internally and to Vendors
-Control and management of Excel as a trading tool
-Integrating real time data into web applications
-Future trends in dealing room technologies

Learning outcomes

-Understanding of the technology eco-structure of an investment bank
-Knowledge of and exposure to multiple market data platforms and suppliers.
-Techniques to manage and control the use and proliferation of market data
-Awareness of responsibilities and liabilities associated with machine use of data
-Ability to better exploit and utilize an existing market data infrastructure