IMC ANNUALREPORT 2020 - Flipbook - Page 25
09 TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN a crucial
and fundamental part of IMC’s
success for more than 30 years. The
firm was a pioneer in algorithmic
trading and continues to be a
leading innovator of advanced
software and systems to support
its global market making activities.
Over the years, we have invested
significantly to ensure our systems
and software optimally support
the performance of our trading
strategies. We recognise that our
license to operate is built on a
strong and stable technology stack.
The events of 2020 tested
our technology to the full. Our
systems proved robust and reliable
in often extremely challenging
IMC ANNUAL REPORT 2020
circumstances. That achievement,
testament to the skill and efficiency
of our IT and technology teams
and the systems they develop,
run and maintain, ensured we
remained continuously in the
market, meeting our obligations
in facilitating the trades that
investors wanted to make.
Notwithstanding the extremely
challenging circumstances
throughout 2020, IMC continued
to execute on its business strategy,
notably in improving and enhancing
its performance and productivity.
We have invested heavily in
improving our software to support
our market making strategies.
We are engaged in a continual
process of technology maintenance,
enhancement and improvement as
we extend and expand our trading
capabilities.
Improved productivity was a key
contributor to our strong trading
results for the year. We made major
investments, for example, in better
understanding the workflow of
developers, and enabling traders to
operate more effectively by freeing
their time to focus on key decisions
and actions. This involved adding
new functionality to systems and
software, building greater flexibility
and simplification into our highly
automated systems, and making
available and accessible more data
and analysis tools for traders. At
the same time, we set up global
teams in areas like execution
software and risk management
software. Global teams support
the local teams by taking on tasks
that are either too big for one desk
(helping out with coordination and
support), or too small for one desk
but which can clearly add value for
the firm in the longer term.
Technology played a crucial role in helping us meet the challenge of remote
working in the face of widespread Covid-19 lockdowns. While our local offices
encountered different government and health agency regulations and
restrictions reflecting the spread and intensity of the pandemic in different
regions, IMC responded together as one global organisation, moving quickly
and decisively to address the challenges and risks.
Within days of the pandemic outbreak we had migrated to remote working
locations, at home or at offsite centers. We were well prepared to equip traders
with the IT hardware, software and support they needed to operate securely
and productively. That included multiple screens, the highest quality internet
and cable connections, and multiple chat rooms to replicate, as far as possible,
the workplace environment and IMC culture.
Technology supported and facilitated seamless trading operations, essential
to maintaining liquidity flow, especially in the hectic early days of the pandemic
when markets were at their most volatile and volumes at their peak.
Technology also provided solutions to risks and issues arising from staff
working in isolation, proving a valuable and effective tool in ensuring we stayed
in touch via numerous digital channels, keeping our people connected and
engaged, and our positive team culture intact.
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