The CTRM Blog

The release of Apple’s latest bit of gee wizardry, the iPad, created a storm of interest in the consumer markets. Like the rollout of the iPhone, the introduction of this new device had gadget lovers across the country standing in overnight lines, hoping to be the first, or at least one of the lucky few, to get their hands on the coolest new thing to hit the market since … well, the iPhone. In fact, the iPad is, functionally, very much like an iPhone, or better yet, an iTouch (since you can’t call home with the iPad), as it does pretty much the same things that those devices do—it allows users to wirelessly connect to the Internet and download and play music, videos, and small, yet relatively powerful, applications. Still, the iPad is more intriguing machine, if only because the larger screen (9.7″ vs. 3.5″ for the iPhone) gives the user (and software developers) a lot more real estate to work with. It is the larger screen, when combined with its ability to connect to Wi-Fi and 3G networks, that makes one think that perhaps this consumer oriented device might actually have the potential to change the way traders access and interact with both the exchange based markets and their commodity trading and risk management (CTRM) applications.

Occasionally, UtiliPointers have written “what if” type IssueAlert articles, and this is another article in that same vein: “What if there was no more air travel?” I pose the question because of the chaos in Europe right now caused by a volcano with an unpronounceable name in Iceland.

Having spent almost 3 days trying to get home from London (more on THAT experience later), I am following this volcanic ash story with some considerable interest. What I do not understand is how everyone – media included – is accepting what has happened without any questions? Whatever happened to investigative journalism?

Last week, I was in Houston and this week London. All this travel is seriously interfering with my blogging which is a shame because I have taken many briefing calls that I would like to cover and still will once I get settled back in the office. The good news is is that the CommodityPoint CTRM Vendor and Product Sourcebook appears to be a major hit and a new, slightly revised version is due out shortly (with a couple more vendor listings added!). If you want your copy then its free – simply click on the button to the right of this article and you will be redirected to a download link.

Brady PLC is one of leading CTRM vendors in the metals and agricultural commodities space. It was founded 20-years ago by Robert Brady and its first client was the UK’s Midland Bank who requested some pricing algorithms for FX options. By 1998, Brady was selling a metals CTRM solution to clients like NM Rothschild and Standard Bank London and in 2004 it successfully listed on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange becoming one of the first of the very few CTRM vendors that are actually public companies. The listing was to raise capital to strengthen the balance sheet and it also ultimately resulted in the appointment of Gavin Lavelle in 2007 as the company’s new CEO. Brady has also made the news with a number of acquisitions including its recent acquisition of Viveo Switzerland in March of this year. Today, the company has over 100 clients of its software, no debt and 6 million GBP in cash. I met with Mr. Lavelle recently in London to find out more about Brady and its products.