Trading CME Group Products

Resources:

CME Globex Account Management
312.634.8700

Customer Support for Electronic Trading
312.930.2322

Getting Connected

The CME Globex platform was the first global electronic trading system for futures and options and is now the world's premier marketplace for derivatives trading. That may sound impressive but what really sets the platform apart from the crowd are its simple front-end and network connectivity requirements.

First, we need to make sure you already have a futures trading account. If you do not, you may wish to view Find a Broker. In many cases, your broker will provide both front-end and network connectivity for you.

The following two questions are designed to help you understand the options available and determine the best one for your needs.

1. What kind of front-end trading application would you like to use?

You have four choices:

Use a third party application provided by your broker, futures commission merchant (FCM), trading arcade, clearing firm or data center.

Interested in advanced functionality? See what our CME Globex Partners (PDF) offer. These companies support various types of advanced functionality, but three support the entire suite of enhanced options functionality, including full User-Defined Spreads (UDS).

Purchase a third party application from an Independent Software Vendor (ISV)

To see what your choices are, check out our ISV finder.

You might also wish to view our CME Globex Access Directory (PDF), a complete listing of third-party application providers including ISVs, brokers, clearing firms and data centers that offer front-end trading access to our platform.

These companies provide trading and market data applications that are certified for compliance with CME Globex and keep current with platform enhancements and changes.

Many also offer network access in addition to front-end trading applications.

Please note that:

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) provide front-end applications for trading on the CME Globex platform.
Data Centers (DCs) provide both front-end applications and network connectivity for connecting and trading on the CME Globex platform.

To order the directory in print or on CD-ROM, contact Customer Service.

To help you choose, you can view a table comparing basic trading functionality (PDF).

Use a CME Group-provided solution.

If your FCM or ISV does not currently support enhanced options functionality on CME Globex, you may wish to consider CME EOS Trader – a Web-based front-end system with basic futures functionality.

Defining and trading unique strategies on the fly
Credit controls
Fast order entry
Shared order book and real-time market data
Customizable workspace and DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) link to Microsoft Excel
Automated book keeping feature with clearing and account balances

Keep in mind, however, that other third-party applications offer more extensive futures functionality.
CME EOSTrader Resources
CME EOS Trader New Functionality Overview (PDF)
CME EOS Trader demo

CME Globex Trader
CME Globex Trader is our legacy front-end trading application. Due to aging functionality and infrastructure, it will be decommissioned by mid 2008. If you use this application, you can replace it a third-party application, CME EOS Trader or Galax-C handhelds to access CME Globex markets.

Develop your own proprietary front-end system.

We will work with you throughout the process of becoming CME-certified
There are specific Steps for Developing to CME Globex.

2. What kind of network connectivity would you like to use?
You can connect directly or indirectly.

Indirect connectivity means that your broker, futures commission merchant (FCM), clearing firm or data center is sending your trades to the CME Globex platform for you. You need only to enter your trades – connectivity is taken care of.

Direct connectivity means that you have a line directly to the platform.

If you choose to connect directly, your first decision is who you would like to manage the connection?

Do you want CME Group to manage your connection?

CME DIRECTLink

High capacity Ethernet access of 20Mbps to 40Mbps, or
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)/Wide Area Network (WAN) of 256K to T1

More information is available online

Do you want to manage your own connectivity?

Jackson Direct

A client-managed 40Mbps direct connectivity solution to the CME Globex fiber network from the Chicago Board of Trade building at 141 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60604.

40Mbps via CME Group-approved fiber provider
Must be a tenant of record in the Chicago Board of Trade building

Please refer to the Jackson Direct Connectivity Guide and the FAQ for details.