As DirectEdge plans to roll out two new next gen trading platforms, it sent the below note to it's users:

Direct Edge Exchange Applications and Next-Generation Trading Platforms

Dear Subscribers, Potential Subscribers, and Friends of Direct Edge,

As we announced earlier this year, Direct Edge is planning to offer two new, best-of-breed, Next-Generation trading platforms to accommodate our current and future growth. The new platforms will improve the speed, throughput, and scalability needed for Direct Edge to continue its ascent as a major U.S. market center.
We plan to launch our Next Generation trading platforms in a new, state-of-the-art data center at the Equinix “NY4” facility in Secaucus NJ, pending SEC approval of Direct Edge’s two exchange applications.

With the SEC having just published for notice and comment the exchange applications for Direct Edge’s EDGA and EDGX Exchanges, we are estimating, for planning purposes, SEC approval of our exchange applications in the late 4th quarter 2009 or early 1st quarter 2010.

If your firm is not connected to Equinix’s NY4 facility when we launch, we will have a temporary solution for you—an API Translator that will allow you to continue to send your orders to Jersey City while we roll out the new platforms.
Certification on the new platform is required and will begin December 1, 2009. Please contact FIX support to schedule a time to certify at 201-942-8240.
More detailed information regarding the migration schedule, including details surrounding user acceptance testing, will be made public as it becomes available.

What else you need to know

In addition to connecting to NY4 directly, Direct Edge has partnered with a number of managed Telecom providers to give your firm choice and flexibility. Below is a partial list of providers we have partnered with thus far:
· BT Radianz
· SFTI
· Savvis
· TNS
Under both the UTP and CTA consolidated tape plans Direct Edge’s new exchanges will be identified as follows:
· EDGA Exchange -- J
· EDGX Exchange --K
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Please visit the NextGen section of the Direct Edge web site where we have recently posted a number of documents to help firms with this transition. On the web site you will find:
· Membership Information
· FAQ Document
· New API’s
· Guide to Order Types
· Connectivity information
In addition, Direct Edge will conduct a market-wide conference call in the coming weeks. Details will follow. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the transition to the Next Generation platforms, please contact your Direct Edge Account Representative or e-mail DEMigration@DirectEdge.com. If you have data center migration questions about the Equinix facility, ordering lines, or reserving rack space, you should contact Scott Leonard at Equinix directly by calling 212-338-0353.

Regards - Bryan

Bryan Harkins

Head of Sales & Strategy

Direct Edge