| FFastFill Launches Application Services Offering for U.S. Customers |
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CHICAGO, Sep. 13, 2004 - London-based FFastFill plc today launched its new managed application services offering in the United States and for the first time unveiled the company's new product roadmap and new generation technology following its July acquisition of Future Dynamics Limited. The U.S. introduction officially completes the "re-launch" of the company, which has this year transformed itself from an independent software vendor (ISV) into an Application Services Provider (ASP). The ASP model enables FFastFill to offer a comprehensive, customized set of technology solutions to firms of all sizes, holding FFastFill fully accountable for the timely delivery, maintenance and enhancement of the technology to each customer. It does this by contracting to a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that reflects the customer's business requirements and establishes a single fee covering all aspects of the service. Keith Todd, FFastFill's Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: "I believe we are leading the way for what inevitably will be the standard approach for delivering market technology in the future. We see tremendous opportunity for growth in the United States now that we are able to offer firms what they have long been seeking: scaleable, superior technology services tailored to their customer and exchange needs without the cost of building and maintaining their own systems." In meetings with U.S. customers, prospects and media today, Todd also highlighted the selection this year of FFastFill by Reuters for its project with Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (CME) to provide the order execution and risk control services for the new foreign exchange futures trading service, CME FX on Reuters. "What's more," Todd said, "our successful integration of Future Dynamics products, technology and staff has given us a formidable range of software solutions that address the complete trading process, including the front- and middle-office needs." Said Jim Oliff, Chairman of the company's U.S. operation, FFastFill Inc.: "FFastFill recognizes the critical importance of the U.S. market, and we will have invested an additional $1.5 million in 2004 in our U.S. operations. We have built a resilient infrastructure in Chicago that will be available from our new data center on Nov. 16. Our U.S. customers will have the opportunity to enjoy our comprehensive product set and unique, state-of-the-art technology, backed by a service level guarantee that is unprecedented in the industry." He added: "We have the ability to significantly reduce firms' expenses while meeting their demand for reliability, speed, functionality and multi-exchange connectivity. That quality service and cost containment can make all the difference in a fiercely competitive environment in which commissions are falling and customer expectations are rising. We can deliver the firms' customized solutions precisely when demanded, and at a clearly identified, predictable cost." FFastFill was listed in 2000 on the London Stock Exchange's AIM, the global market for smaller, growing companies. In September 2002, the company recruited new management, including Todd, and initiated a strategy to re-invent itself as an ASP. In April 2004, FFastFill obtained new funding of $7 million from institutional investors. FFastFill has since demonstrated a strong track record of delivering high performance software to intermediaries trading on electronic derivatives markets. In less than two years, the company has combined this expertise with its experience in managing major outsourcing contracts to create a unique application services platform for the electronic trading community. In July, FFastFill announced its acquisition of Future Dynamics, a private software company. The move has enabled FFastFill to integrate the two companies' front-office offerings and establish a clear roadmap to integrate them with Future Dynamics' complementary middle office functionality and deliver them through the new managed application service. Said Steve Grob, FFastFill Executive Vice President, Product and Market Strategy: "We are delighted with the smooth and swift transition associated with integrating Future Dynamics into FFastFill. Our new and enhanced post-trade risk management application and order matching/allocation application are just two of the many new products that FFastFill customers can utilize as part of their total technology solution." More information is available at www.ffastfill.com. or contact:
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