Edinburgh software vendor Apt Computer Systems has released upgrades of its flagship Enterprise FIX Server, real time testing product FIX Simulator and its FIX engine add-in for Microsoft Excel, FIXcel.
Apt's Enterprise FIX Server version 6.5 now offers out-of-the-box connectivity and a revamped graphical tool that allows users to monitor FIX transactions in real time on any number of systems, from any location.
Other enhancements include built-in graphical wizards for scheduling, connecting, auto-reconnecting and routing and for alerting operators of downtime.
Standards-based APIs also make the engine quick and easy to integrate with existing systems, says the vendor, and enhanced XML validation now specifies the length and size of fields.
New features of Apt's real time interactive FIX Simulator include a set of standard test scripts, rapid identification of invalid messages and the ability to integrate market data with trading scripts for a realistic testing environment.
In addition, the latest update of FIXcel features improved pre-written templates, a built-in capability for market data feeds such as Bloomberg and Reuters and facilities that lock the system into connecting with specified counterparties only.
David Shobrook, Apt's sales and marketing director, says: "This set of product updates is all about enhancing productivity, improving ease of use and widening the net of FIX engine users. The focus has been on dramatically decreasing the knowledge and time it takes to do common, repetitive tasks."