Maximum Security	Market-leading security. Built using technology developed at MIT and Harvard, some of our security features include: Use of Java for all network communication removes risk of "buffer overflows", which comprise vast majority of security issues found in other software Built using an open API that allows customizable key sizes and algorithms Distributed PKI infrastructure that uses a password redirection technique to use a 1024 bit random integer as the basis for zero knowledge proof Automatic availability of all uploaded documents in PDF format for cross-platform support and reduced risk of macro viruses Starts with use of white lists to eliminate SPAM, but can further allow messages from "degrees of separation" from contacts in white list
NASD/SEC Compliance	Regulatory Compliance without Legal Conflicts. We meet all SEC, NASD and NYSE compliance requirements for IM control and archiving. Poor compliance with electronic communication archiving regulations by the SEC, NASD, and NYSE (which include IM) recently cost 5 Wall St Firms $1.65 million each (See the Article). Not only does SupraSphere provide full regulatory compliance, but, unlike simpler archiving solutions, its unique architecture also avoids all potential legal conflicts with the Federal Wiretapping Law, a recent issue that has surfaced regarding corporate IM archiving (See Articles). Specific Regulations In July 2003, NASD issued a Notice to Members stating that all member organizations must log, archive, and retain records of all instant messaging conversations. See the Press Release or the full Notice to Members. SEC Rule 17a-4 outlines the records to be preserved by certain exchange members, brokers, and dealers. Although traditionally covering only written agreements and guarantees, the rule has expanded its presence over the last 5 years to include new communication technologies such as e-mail, the Internet, and instant messaging. The recording requirements as dictated by the SEC generally include both internal / intra-firm communications as well as correspondence between broker / dealers and their clients. Rules 17a-3 and NASD 3010 additionally outline record keeping requirements and specifications for broker dealers.
High Stability	Our platform maintains the highest degree of stability — a crucial feature in trading/investment management environments, where a single crash can compromise the value of time-sensitive messages. A recent customer remarked that there was "no comparison" between the stability of SupraSphere and another product which they had extensively piloted.
Spheres: Persistent Collaborative Workspaces	The concept of the Sphere is a key element of the SupraSphere product. At the core of each Sphere is a real-time threaded discussion board that is focused on a specific task-oriented or information sharing activity. Not everyone at a firm is involved in every activity; consequently, each Sphere's membership is limited to relevant personnel while others can be configured to have a limited dynamic or static "perspective" of a Sphere. Spheres thus serve as the basis for collaborative workspaces that revolve around organized real-time communications. Examples of Spheres include those created for: One-to-one discussions Connecting individual portfolio managers with traders Sharing news stories between portfolio managers Firm-wide announcements/communication Firm-external communication with simultaneous logging at multiple sites
A Persistent Unified Interface	All Spheres are managed within a single SupraSphere interface. Each Sphere has its own tab, access control provisions, member list, and discussion archive. Key benefits Include: Unified security and authentication framework with a single user list Unified information management and archive retrieval Unified workflow rules applied to all communication or on a per Sphere basis No more Multiple, hard to manage IM windows In contrast, a simple secure IM client would require multiple hard to manage windows, and would delete discussions from the interface every time a window was closed (even if archives were kept for compliance purposes).
Real-Time Threaded Discussions	Communication for the way you really work. With simple IM solutions or mailing lists, it becomes hard to track and reference real-time discussions as they take place, especially when there are many users involved and multiple trains of thought can exist simultaneously. By threading these interactions, SupraSphere makes it easier for members of a Sphere to contribute information more efficiently without having to sort through messages from irrelevant threads which may have been posted when they were completing other tasks. Threads also remove the need for identifying whom a reply is directed to and allow easy forwarding of messages to wireless devices such as Blackberries. For situations in which organization in threads is less critical SupraSphere supports unthreaded views or both threaded and unthreaded views simultaneously (see below). Thread Based Archives. SupraSphere empowers users to quickly reference threaded archives through browsing as well as automated searching. While archiving for compliance purposes is a major selling point for many IM solutions in the investment management industry, SupraSphere goes further in leveraging archives to increase firm productivity. We believe that if you have gone so far as to create information in a real-time environment, it should be retained for quick and easy reference in an organized fashion- especially in a time-sensitive environment. Also, because much of the threaded communication can contain multiple message types that serve as a direct context for IM conversations, thread-based archiving increases the utility of being able to reference older IM messages. This creates an organizational memory that will reduce the amount of time it takes each person to empower themselves using information already available to the organization.
Multiple Message Types and Views	Within each Sphere, different message types can be sent based on the nature of the information that the Sphere or thread is designed to communicate. For instance, messages can contain a subject line (as email does), be limited to terse communications (as with normal IM), or consist of a file, weblink, or contact. In addition, the SupraSphere interface allows users to view messages from multiple contexts, whether in relation to a thread, time based (unthreaded), or unread messages. We have found that different message types and views are appropriate for different information sharing activities. By allowing for the customization of how information is organized and presented within Spheres, we better facilitate productive communication within the firm.
Customizable Workflow Engine	The SupraSphere workflow engine allows firms to customize the ways in which they track the receipt of critical, time sensitive messages and the state of further actions taken based upon those messages. By matching our workflow rules to an investment firm's task management needs, we empower the prioritization and control of information distribution throughout the firm. Each Sphere can have its own customized workflow model. Persistent Pop-Ups. One element of the workflow engine that our clients have found particularly useful has been the ability to send some or all messages in the form of persistent pop-ups. Thus, an important, time-sensitive message from a portfolio manager would appear (pop-up) on a trader's computer regardless of whether or not the trader was actively working in the SupraSphere interface. The trader would have to at least acknowledge the message (by clicking on a button) before it could be closed. The portfolio manager would view an acknowledgement through a change of color of the message in the thread. Workflow Rules. Our workflow engine allows for many different workflow additions which can be wrapped around our unified messaging interface. For instance, if the message sent above contained a task that needed completion, the trader might also have the option of deferring the task to another trader if he is too busy to complete the task in time. Alternatively, the portfolio manager might send the same message to all traders, but wish it to switch to an "acknowledge" status only after the head trader sees it.
Document Management and File Sharing	SupraSphere can also be configured to serve as a secure document management and file sharing environment with full revision control capabilities. While many firms have separate research servers and document management systems, integrating these functions within a firm's communication infrastructure allows for the real-time and seamless transition of metadata elements, as well the automatic association of communication streams with files in a document management setting. Specific threads, Spheres, or filtered messages could be associated with documents or document groups. Managing documents within the context of relevant real-time communications enables faster and more informed use of documents, insuring that every time a document is accessed, all relevant information is available, even if it was created seconds ago.
Automatic Centralized PDF Conversion	Portable documents. SupraSphere allows for the automatic conversion of documents from a wide variety of formats (such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) to PDF files. Since this capability is centralized, we eliminate the need to purchase and manage desktop software for this function. Additionally, converting files to PDF serves as an extra layer of protection against viruses which may be in documents of other formats.
Robust Search and Filtering Capabilities	Our rich search and retrieval interface for archived and current Spheres includes: Ability to search across all channels and multiple data types such as messages, PDF, Word, Excel, or WebPages Ability to review workflow trails for individual messages, tasks, or threads Individual users have access to archives of Spheres/channels in which they were members
Embedded Browser and Bookmark Content Indexing	We provide every user with an embedded web browser. This can be used to view either weblinks/bookmarks that are shared through the SupraSphere or other web pages. One advantage of using our embedded browser is that all web pages that are viewed with it can be archived for later search purposes. Thus, searching a Sphere for information relating to a topic might also reveal web pages that the Sphere's members have visited which are also relevant. By archiving web content in addition to real-time communication streams and documents, SupraSphere allows for a unified view of these information sources from the context in which a user is accessing them.
Wireless Device Support	SupraSphere has been configured to support the selective forwarding of messages to wireless devices such as Blackberries or PDAs. Since messages are generally threaded in SupraSphere, only relevant postings are forwarded to wireless devices, avoiding clutter.
Customizable Code Base	The SupraSphere platform contains a code base which allows us to customize it to client requirements with relative ease. We understand that each of our client's needs is unique; consequently, we can accommodate the addition or removal of different feature sets while staying cost competitive in a reasonable time frame. If you feel your firm has needs that our product does not explicitly meet, please Contact Us for more information.