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| Feature |
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Description and Innovation |
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| Grid |
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Use of a Blotter as the primary presentation of data for the IM or Trader. The ability to make changes without leaving the grid space represents a significant departure from current SchwabLink desktop software input and editing mechanisms. Enable the user to remain in one primary environment and screen to complete majority of tasks. |
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| Chooser |
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Recognizing the need for a variety of similar mechanisms for accessing, searching, sorting and selecting information, we designed the Chooser. It provides an IM or Trader with the necessary tools for performing these searches in the place where it will be needed: from within the grid. Even useful to those who prefer direct keyboard entry, the chooser affords the IM with the ability to verify the accuracy of their work prior to submission to Schwab. (X Symbol is linked to X fund name) |
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| Tabs |
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Our implementation of the tab convention establishes an important foundation in the UI: the three states of existence that are common to all pieces of data initiated by the IM (from management fees to mutual fund trading to equities trading): New, Active and Complete (And Que for the Trader version). We designed unique environments for the needs of creation and submission, processing and correction, and summary and archive retrieval. |
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| Pull-down Selector |
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Wishing to build on the efficiencies of an editable grid, we designed the pull-down selector. Accessible right in the active grid cell, these pull-down menus allow the user to trigger a selction that may be simple (such as populating a grid cell with the selection) or complex (such as invoking a pop-up window). |
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| Information Selector |
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A tangent from the pull-down selector, the information selector allows the user to trigger helpful, detailed information pop-ups to enable to them to make a better informed choice or decision in the specific instant. |
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| Que Management |
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The issues of managing and handling workflow are dealt with in the "Que". We recognized the importance of always being aware of the volume and risk of trade lists awaiting action by a Schwab Trader. In addition to showing the volume, this Que is designed to aid the individual trader prioritize their individual workflow based on client relationships, cut-off times, dollars at risk, or whatever criteria they deem important. |
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| Electronic Trader Assignment |
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Currenty, workflow assignment and management at the trading desk is being handled by the use of a white board. We designed functionality into the Que Management Environment to enable auto-assignment of trade lists to individual traders. New trade lists arriving at the trading desk would be categorized and labeled for ease of communication and workflow organization. We also built in editability, enabling the trading desk to flex with the particular needs of a given day. |
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| Confirmation of Receipt |
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The current system being used requires an inordinant number of phone calls to be routed to the trading desk. Designing a UI with electronic confirmation can eliminate up to 600 calls per day per trading desk. This feature alone will gain back approximately an hour a day per trader. With about 16 traders between Phoenix and Denver, that means efficiency gains of over 80 hours a week. |
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| Error Correction |
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Enabling and, in fact requiring, the IM to handle many of their own errors will also remove an enormous amount of burder from the trading desk. Through the implementation of error codes and messaging standards, the UI makes it simple for the user, IM or Trader when appropriate, to find and correct the cause of the error. This will free up time for the traders to handle more complex problems more efficiently. We are striving to enable the trading desk to be a model of service to its clients by providing them the time needed to maintain and grow their business. |
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| Searching and Sorting |
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In an effort to design the most useful and malleable interface, we have widely implemented capabilities for Searching and Sorting. For example, the current system in Phoenix does not allow traders to sort the Que to make for efficient location of desired information. (Users currently have to visually scan long lists to isolate the information they need!). By witnessing the working environment, we were able to see how our basic tools could be utilized to serve great purposes, again vastly improving efficiencies without having to create new feature sets. |
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