Client Management Advisory Notice

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From Client Management
Subject Notification to CME about Firm System Changes
Effective Date 09/22/00
Notice Number CM#0025
As you are aware, it is very critical that all member firms and/or their facilities manager or service bureau notify the CME of ANY SYSTEM CHANGES, ADDITIONS, UPGRADES OR MOVES, at least 10 business days in advance so that firm�s can test with the Exchange before the new production date. After the notification, they should schedule the appropriate testing with Systems Liaison, to ensure that when cut-over occurs, both the firm and the CME are ready!

Failure to follow this procedure can result in transmission and processing delays, along with balancing problems, because the Exchange is forced to make system changes "on-the-fly" in order to accommodate a firm�s new configuration. This is a situation we want to avoid. When it occurs, staff resources are pulled away from projects and other daily requirements to address the crisis. In order to prevent this scenario, firms should include testing with the CME to their project plans for systems changes. Lastly, at least 2 days prior to the production cut-over day/weekend, the firm must confirm with Systems Liaison that they still intend on making the change on the previously designated date.

Please review the listing given below. To notify the CME about systems changes and to request testing, please send notification to Karen F. McCoy, Manager-Systems Liaison, via email to kmccoy@cme.com .

SYSTEM CHANGES/UPGRADES

The following system upgrades must be tested with Systems Liaison at least 3 days prior to implementation:

  • New AS400 (or other) hardware installations that support the CME clearing.

  •  Operating system or MQM upgrades.

FAILURE TO TEST BEFORE AN UPGRADE WILL PUT YOUR FIRM AT RISK FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS:

  • Misspellings of parameters/configuration or capitalization errors

  • Missing file libraries

  • MQM Sequence numbers out of sequence

  • Communication problems between firm and CME

TESTING SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS

  • Conduct testing with the CME, Monday through Wednesday, before the weekend conversion, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Firms that cannot test during this time frame may test anytime after 4:30 p.m.

  • Firms that cannot test on weekdays, can also test on the weekend prior to the conversion. However, be aware of the following:

  • If you experience a problem testing after business hours or on weekends, our Computer Room can only perform an MQM ping test or reset communication lines. Network and technical support staff are not available.

  • On the Monday after your conversion, please send several trades (or out-trade corrections) between 6:00  and 7:00 a.m. to identify any problems, rather than waiting for your first transmission at 8:30 a.m. The earlier the problem is detected, the sooner it can be fixed!

If you have any questions, please contact Karen F. McCoy at (312) 930-4524 or kmccoy@cme.com