IPC Systems, a leading provider of trading communications solutions to the world's top financial services firms, today announced the introduction of IQ/Max Edge - a new, compact turret/dealerboard featuring most of the key capabilities of its award-winning and industry-leading big brother, IQ/Max.
IQ/MAX Edge is designed specifically to provide individuals in small- to medium-sized trading firms, as well as junior traders, sales traders and other individuals on the edge of the trading floor in larger firms, the key capabilities they need to optimize their collaboration with trade support individuals across the entire trading lifecycle and workflow.
IQ/MAX Edge features presence, hoot and intercom, speakers, private lines, two handsets, optional voice recording and Microsoft Outlook® integration via IQ/MAX Sync for improved collaboration throughout a trade and easier communication with customers. Edge users will also benefit from:
* Immediate productivity gains from a more streamlined workflow
* Greater flexibility to prioritize and manage calls and information for a competitive advantage
* Improved customer service and retention, and therefore, greater profitability
* Increased mobility, by being able to access IQ/MAX Edge functionality from anywhere in the world with the optional IQ/MAX Omni soft turret on a PC
"IQ/MAX Edge is the ideal solution for traders at small hedge funds, investment management firms and other specialty trading organizations that want more functionality than a PBX phone, but don't require all the capabilities of IQ/MAX," says Michael Speranza, senior vice president, Product Management and Marketing, IPC. "Edge's compact size saves valuable space on the desktop, which will also make it well-liked among those working on the edge of the trading floor and by middle and back office support teams who need easy connectivity without the clutter of multiple devices for hoot and intercom."
The new turret is offered in two configurations to fit a user's needs - Edge 100 and Edge 200. IQ/MAX Edge 100 has 100 buttons for contacts within and outside a firm, hoot and intercom connectivity and dual handsets. Edge 200 is a step up to 200 buttons for contacts and four speaker channels. Everyy IQ/MAX Edge also comes equipped with IQ/MAX Sync - a powerful PC-based productivity tool that allows users to manage calls, speakers, contacts and directories directly from a PC. IQ/MAX Sync integrates with users' Microsoft Outlook local directory to help them simplify workflow processes.
Among Edge's other features are broad, full-color, high-definition screens that make data easy to read; high-definition audio for more accurate exchange of information; and an application launch pad for UnigyTM apps that improve trade processing and productivity.
IQ/MAX Edge is powered by Unigy - IPC's new unified trading communications and applications platform, introduced earlier this month. The Unigy platform's open standards and service oriented architecture (SOA) helps streamline trading workflow, create custom apps for a competitive edge, reduce operational risks and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for firms of all sizes.
"We've put powerful, cutting-edge technology into a cost-effective turret for many individuals, delivering easy access to key methods of communications around the trading floor," Speranza added. "IQ/MAX Edge - a critical component in an innovative and extensive portfolio of Unigy-powered devices and applications - provides firms with an end-to-end single vendor solution designed to give its users a big competitive edge."