The application of the systems engineering process to the development of a financial market gateway using wireless communications

Technological advances in computer processing, information systems, and communication links have allowed individual investors market access. This has resulted in an injection of capital into the U.S. financial markets which fuels various segments of the economy and creates new capital requirements. A near real time ability to both access information and execute trades is traditionally limited to professional investors. As the volume of trading increases, however, investors desire a corresponding increase in the markets accessibility.

This paper analyzes methods that brokerage houses can employ new technologies to provide individual investors near real time access to financial markets. This includes obtaining market, news and personal portfolio information as well as submitting securities trades. Feasibility study results indicate that a handheld, two-way wireless device is the optimum solution. A life cycle cost and technical analysis trade-off is performed using the implementation of Cellular Digital Packet Data and Radio Packet Data. Based on the results, a Radio Packet Data system is proposed.