The Collaboration Services network enables disparate messaging platforms to interoperate so that financial industry professionals can communicate and share information seamlessly with industry peers, regardless of institution of employment or technology platform of choice within that enterprise.

Developed by Markit, a leading global diversified financial information services provider, and launched in late 2013, the network enables organizations, and individuals within these organizations, to check users’ availability, exchange instant messages and transfer files and documents, regardless of their messaging platform. Additionally, users will also be able to leverage an open directory for the financial services industry, enabling people to find, communicate and collaborate with one another. Furthermore, the network boasts audited chat capabilities, secure connection and can be embedded in third-party applications.

Clients leveraging the Options platform will enjoy out-of-the-box access to the Markit Collaboration Services network and access the network via Microsoft Lync. Microsoft Lync can be deployed as part of Options’ Core services, one of the three key components of the Options platform. Options’ Core offering is a complete business technology infrastructure service, providing a robust and resilient technology foundation for day-to-day business communication, regulatory compliance and operations management.

John Bryant, CTO of Options, commented, “We are delighted to announce the integration of the Options platform with Markit’s network. The platform agnostic offering from Markit makes for an incredibly powerful collaboration tool and will allow our Core clients to communicate with employees and enterprises throughout the financial services industry. Using a third party application like Microsoft Lync, buy-side firms can now message with industry peers in banks and other sell-side institutions, including those who leverage proprietary messaging platforms. It is a service that is proving itself to be extremely beneficial, both in terms of employee efficiencies and improved cost savings, and one that is in increased demand from Options clients.”

Andrew Eisen, Managing Director and head of Collaboration Services at Markit, said: “We welcome the participation of Options in our open network.  By connecting with Markit, Options expands the value of their service by providing a gateway to a global community of financial professionals.”

Russell Hart, Chief Operating Officer & Partner at Alcova, who were among the first firms to leverage the Options-Markit federation, concluded, “Alcova  support a change from closed to open messaging platforms, and we’re seeing the Markit federated platform developing critical mass.  We are delighted that Options has delivered this via its existing internal messaging platform, and believe this will prove to be a crucial addition to our external collaboration and communication tools.”