Due to inadequacies in the Level 1 futures data feed from IB, we are considering implementing a feed from IQ. However, there are several concerns which I hope you can answer before we embark upon this feed enhancement. The required feeds are VERY specific and concurrent symbols are very limited, however it appears the cost may be significant to the end-user client.

1) What is the simplest most straightforward method which a standalone Java application client must use to get tick by tick realtime feed from Globex and eCBOT? Is this a local host socket connection approach? What's the "software architecture" on the client system to which my standalone java app would connect for the feed? Would multiple instances of my client on the same system attach to a single server or just how does it work?

2) COST: For a maximum of 3 concurrent symbols, say YM (ecbot), ZG (ecbot), ER2 (Globex) what would be the least-cost monthly fee to my clients for a realtime "level one" feed ONLY, not necessary to have "market depth / level 2", just an accurate near realtime bid/ask with size and trade price and size stream for this very limited number of symbols?

If my clients are going to have to pay in the range of $100 or more to be able to get realtime feeds from ecbot, globex primarily; then I am not sure how cost-effective this enhancement will be.

Thanks a lot... I'm strongly attracted to using this excellent feed, but concerned about the cost to my clients.

zone

Thank you for your posting. I have forwarded your first question to our developer support. In response to your second question the datafeed would simply be $70 per month plus the exchange fees for mini cme quotes. I will post the response to your first question today. Thanks again for your interest.

Sorry for the delay on this.

Yes, you would establish a local socket connection to IQFeed for level1 data. Our app (which runs locally on your machine) handles all comunication with the server. Since this is the case, you can use almost any 3rd party software package that is compatable with IQFeed concurently on the same machine including multiple instances of the same software package (assuming that software allows multiple instances).