This Old PC

This Old PC

Part one

While running a boutique firm it is easy to get attached to the technology that I use, because I spend so much time with the technology in my office I get a little sentimental when it comes time to retire it. 

It might be that trusty PC that has been at the heart of my work & global communication or that laptop that I have trekked all over the globe. So when it becomes time to retire them emotion often enters the decision. Some part of me feels a little guilty to discard it after all of its hard work, so I try to find alternatives for them. 

Ok those people who actually know me, might say that my motivation actually stems from my thriftiness, I am guessing it is a well rounded combination of both loyalty and resourcefulness that motivates me to find ways to continue to use some of my technology after it is past its prime.

PC’s are the easy item to find additional uses for; they can be cleaned up, sped up by deleting software programs, and can find a variety of new roles in a small office.

Here are some of my suggestions for converting that older PC:

Data Storage

Data Storage back up

DVR for the office security system

PC for office visitors to use for web surfing

For the advanced technologist or office guy with an inner geek, there are some other options:

DNS server

Application Server for light duty software applications

Another use for that old PC could be to support any other legacy office hardware, for example printers and plotters that do not have RJ45 of WIFI interfaces can be connected to an old PC and now it works as a print server for the company.

I would like to hear from my blog readers on what resourceful uses they have found for that old office PC and yes we all already know they make good side tables for coffee cups.

Aggressive Global Expansion by Chinese Firm GF Futures

Emily Yip GM of GF Futures HK , David Nealis President of Blue Bridge, and Lu Mansheng VP GF Futures China

Below is a good article from Hedge Week, it highlights the aggressive market expansion of the Chinese brokerage firm GF Futures.  

GF has a good global expanision strategy and USA brokerage firms who haven't seriously looked at the Chinese market place should rethink their strategy, because in this global market place you will find them competing against you in your own home markets, cash rich from their high growth home markets.

NYSE Liffe announces first colocation customer from Asia

Fri, 11/05/2012 - 13:19

NYSE Liffe, the European based derivatives business of NYSE Euronext, has announced GF Futures (Hong Kong) Co Ltd, a Hong Kong based subsidiary of GF Group, as its first colocation customer from Asia.

GF Futures is a leading player in the Asian derivatives market and through its membership of NYSE Liffe, clients of GF Futures can now access the Exchange’s European markets through its colocation facilities based in NYSE Euronext’s European Liquidity Centre.

“We are delighted to welcome GF Futures not only as a member of NYSE Liffe, but also as our first Asian based colocation customer,” says Cecelia Zhong (pictured), the Head of Greater China Business Development, NYSE Liffe. “Asia has been identified as a strategic priority for the group, and we are reinforcing our commitment to the region, as well as our obligation to support a global trading infrastructure for our European contracts, by providing premier products and services, such as colocation, to our Asian customers.”

“Colocating servers in NYSE Euronext’s European Liquidity Center allows us to expand our business further into European markets” says Dr XIAO Cheng, General Manager of GF Futures. “Through our colocation offering and acting as their broker, we have already brought access to our first High Frequency Trading customer, a major player in the Asian markets, who will be trading the European interest rate Euribor contract and European equity index futures.”

NYSE Liffe opened its Hong Kong office in December 2011, headed by Cecelia Zhong, to further strengthen the group’s strategic exchange alliances in China and Hong Kong, as well as to generate new business and better serve its existing customers in the region. 

The article can be found at - http://www.hedgeweek.com/2012/05/11/166246/nyse-liffe-announces-first-colocation-customer-asia  

China, the world’s 2nd largest economy, continues to be the most important market for companies looking for growth and Chinese companies continue to globalize by investing and selling their products in new markets; what is your company’s strategy for engaging China?

Futures and Options Risk Disclosure
Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. You should consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. You must review the customer account agreement and risk disclosure prior to establishing an account. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. Past results are not necessarily indicative of futures results.

China banks are expanding into the USA

China banks are expanding into the USA
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd, China's largest bank has been approved by the US Federal Reserve to purchase up to 80% of the voting shares of the Bank of East Asia USA which is located in New York City. The Fed also approved an application of the Bank of China, the third largest bank in China, to establish a branch in Chicago and an application by the Agricultural Bank of China, the fourth largest bank in China, to set up a branch in New York City.

 Great short term motivation for these Chinese banks is getting a piece of the Chinese investment happening in the USA right now.  A good example of Chinese investment into the USA right now is in New York’s commercial property industry where Chinese are buying at a rapid pace.

China, the world’s 2nd largest economy, continues to be the most important market for companies looking for growth and Chinese companies continue to globalize by investing and selling their products in new markets; what is your company’s strategy for engaging China?

Futures and Options Risk Disclosure
Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. You should consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. You must review the customer account agreement and risk disclosure prior to establishing an account. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. Past results are not necessarily indicative of futures results. The risk of loss in trading futures or options can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.

Investors eat up Dim Sum Bonds in London

David Nealis President of Blue Bridge

Investors eat up Dim Sum Bonds in London

UK Private investors can now trade RMB bonds in London as the first-ever RMB-denominated bond was released outside of China with a London Stock Exchange (LSE) listing in the first week of May 2012. The HSBC Holdings Plc-issued bond was listed on the exchange's retail-bonds electronic-order book. It is the first bond denominated in a currency other than sterling to be offered to retail investors since the bond-trading system was introduced in February 2010. The LSE bond is available to private investors in denominations of RMB 10,000 (USD1,600) that pays an annual coupon of 2.875%.

China, the world’s 2nd largest economy, continues to be the most important market for companies looking for growth and Chinese companies continue to globalize by investing and selling their products in new markets; what is your company’s strategy for engaging China?

 Futures and Options Risk Disclosure
Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. You should consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. You must review the customer account agreement and risk disclosure prior to establishing an account. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. Past results are not necessarily indicative of futures results. The risk of loss in trading futures or options can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.

London Metal Exchange to expand in China

David Nealis President of Blue Bridge

London Metal Exchange to expand in China

The London Metal Exchange (LME) has reported that it is planning to expand its warehouse network into mainland China, the largest user of base metals including copper. LME is the biggest marketplace for industrial metals and was weighing takeover offers in the third week of May 2012. LME licenses a network of over 600 storage sites the world over where users can deposit metals in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Martin Abbott, LME’s CEO, said that the demand for metals in Asia will continue to grow.

China, the world’s 2nd largest economy, continues to be the most important market for companies looking for growth and Chinese companies continue to globalize by investing and selling their products in new markets; what is your company’s strategy for engaging China?

Futures and Options Risk Disclosure
Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. You should consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. You must review the customer account agreement and risk disclosure prior to establishing an account. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. Past results are not necessarily indicative of futures results. The risk of loss in trading futures or options can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.

Credit Suisse seeks China trading license

Credit Suisse seeks China trading license

Credit Suisse Group AG intends to increase its capital level at its Chinese JV with Founder Securities and then apply for a stock trading permit in

China after the government eased restrictions on foreign investment banks. Credit Suisse plans to move bankers to China to gain from the higher ownership limits and the shorter wait for licenses to trade shares in Shanghai and Shenzhen, said Zhang Liping, the bank's CEO for the country.

China, the world’s 2nd largest economy, continues to be the most important market for companies looking for growth and Chinese companies continue to globalize by investing and selling their products in new markets; what is your company’s strategy for engaging China? 

Futures and Options Risk Disclosure
Trading futures and options involves the risk of loss. You should consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation. You must review the customer account agreement and risk disclosure prior to establishing an account. Only risk capital should be used when trading futures or options. Investors could lose more than their initial investment. Past results are not necessarily indicative of futures results. The risk of loss in trading futures or options can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.