Data group ICV Ltd intends to use ACT Financial Systems Citydesk information distribution and management system as a Windows front-end to its Topic data stream – Topic provides stock brokers and fund managers with real-time information on share movements. Following the Taurus disaster (CI No 2,126), the UK Stock Exchange asked ICV – and Swiss giant Telekurs AG – to look after and develop Topic. It realised the system needed a lot of work, but felt it was not best placed to do it itself. The Citydesk front-end is intended to make it easier to use and manipulate Topic information. Data is fed into workstations linked via a local area network and is then presented in a Windows-like format. Woking, Surrey-based ICV will re-badge the product as Topic Three for Windows and, as agreed with the Stock Exchange, will make it commercially available from September 1 this year. Pricing has not yet been decided, but ACT will receive royalties on every system sold. The London-based financial software house is also undertaking further, if minimal, development work for ICV so that it can offer contended access to SEAQ Level II or yellow strip information. With SEAQ Level II, when share information is shown on a computer screen, the best price is highlighted by a yellow strip. Contended access means that a customer can choose how many terminals should display the information at any one time. Such a service is cheaper than buying a flat licence, and will be sold as an option on the back of Topic Three for Windows.
