INDUSTRY VIEWS FEATURE – Pioneer Solutions
The Industry Views Feature is a new feature that we will run here on CTRMBlog.com in which we invite the different CTRM vendors to answer some questions about their company, product and observations around the market in general. ALL the vendors have been invited to participate and we will post them more or less in the order we receive them back.
This Industry Views Feature – Bill Molnar– Director of Trading & Risk Solutions for Pioneer Solutions
How do you see demand for CTRM software in your niche right now and what business issues on the user side seem to be driving that demand?
Our niche is our flexible, adaptable and easily integrated solution platform that allows tech savy business users with no programming expertise to manage change; bordering on a true SaaS offering. The demand has slowed for several reasons. Companies are fed up with the existing vendor game and the fact that it is so costly, difficult and challenging to implement only to have to replace existing TRM in three to five years…also in many cases the TRM system has been modified/customized so much to meet needs it is hard to consider replacement. The economy is not helping matters as budgets are slashed, employees are forced to work with systems that they have good or bad.
Is increased regulation in the USA and the threat of regulation in Europe and elsewhere having any impact on demand and business requirements? If so, what in particular are users seeking?
It is hard to say although we hope that increased regulation will lead to the need for improved systems for reporting purposes. So far we have not seen the impact however we are positioning for it. In this environment forcing companies to comply is a good thing for us otherwise they will do nothing.
What differentiating features or functions does your solution have that users and prospective users find compelling?
We are delivering true enterprise risk metrics like CFaR, PFE (potential future exposure) and TPE (Total potential exposure) in order to attract those that are cash sensitive. Our thought is that with more and more deals being margined to lower counterparty credit risk there should be a big opportunity to help companies track and manage cash flows at risk (CFaR) as cash becomes the big issue with the increase in margined trades.
Do you offer SaaS or hosted solutions currently?
Yes, Our TRMTracker is a hosted solution and we believe it to be as close to SaaS as CTRM can be.
How do you see demand for SaaS and hosted CTRM software at the moment?
Are there particular geographies or industry segments that find this a compelling option? It seems the smaller the player or the smaller need for TRM the more interest in a hosted solution.
About Bill Molnar, Director of Trading & Risk Solutions for Pioneer Solutions
Mr. Molnar began his professional career in the energy business excelling in energy trading and risk management (ETRM). His success in ETRM led to start up trading operations for utilities and trading entities.
Branching into energy technology consulting, Mr. Molnar has gained a reputation as an ETRM solutions expert helping Fortune 1000 companies identify, select, procure and implement ETRM applications. He has published and spoke at conferences on new technologies and advanced enterprise risk measurement techniques.
Mr. Molnar has ten years of physical and financial trading experience coupled with ten years of energy technology solutions experience. He holds four U.S. patents and has a passion for solving complex technology business challenges.
