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Thanks very much for this, Allie.
To me, this is more circumstantial evidence that Spooz must have something going for it. I think I remember that Fedfunz was previously a trader with another trading company in Chicago -- why would he make this career change if Spooz was going nowhere?
MC, I appreciate your presence on the board, and your role as moderator. Fromaall I can gather, I think you are one of the posters most qualified to speak about Spooz having spent much face-to-face time with them recently. To me, your confidence in the company carries a good deal of weight.
Best to you,
Songbird
Thanks, MC.
We'll just have to keep checking the FIA site. Nice quote about John Unwin's presentation.
I think some people are just trying to figure out what levels they can buy at. Apart for the one buy at .003, it is not easy to pick up the cheap shares.
Thanks, no_shorts. Good find!
Things are swinging into motion.
Thanks, MC and Gbathat
Good point about traders using the most cost-effective platform. If ST is priced well below the competition, and provides the functionality they need, there will be a strong incentive switch over.
Am I correct in thinking that the professionals will still be trading in large volumes whether the markets are up or down?
I can see retail trading dropping off in a recession, so the demand for ST by the lower volume stock traders may be softer.
So long as there are subscribers to SpoozToolz and other Spoz roducts on release, I don't see SPZI pps dropping from where we are now. I think there is much more upside than downside from where we are now -- before product release and consequent revenues -- regardless of the overall economy. (Answering my own question here!)
While we are in waiting mode in regards to Spooz developments, I thought I'd throw out a question for discussion.
We are hearing much specualtion about economic slowdown or possible recession in the near future. How is a company like Spooz likely to be affected by adverse economic conditions?
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Songbird
Good find, EIB. There's even a face to put with a name:
http://www.unwin.com/People.html
Hi, Allie
Good to see you here. Didn't think you'd abandoned us!
I think the sharing of evidence is what makes for a good board.
I don't put much value in a post that says the pps is going up when there is nothing to support that statement. I feel the same way if someone predicts the pps going down without any evidence.
To some, the lack of news is evidence of no progress. I don't see it that way -- I think there is much going on behind the scenes, and IMO, there is circumstantial evidence to support that point of view.
There are many who will not invest in a company where there are so many unknowns, and I can surely respect that attitude. I guess we all make our decisions based on our own investing criteria and tolerance for risk. There are no guarantees here, or with any investments.
Sorry to upset the vibes, BB!
If we are not getting the PRs that many are hoping for, why not try a litte circumstantial evidence. The recent hiring of John Unwin and Tom Opper are both signs that Spooz has something going for it. Both seem to be very accomplished professionals - why on earth would they join Spooz if it was going down the tubes?
Thanks, Endub
Great point!
Take a look at his resume from LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnunwin
John Unwin Independant Consultant
United Kingdom
Contact Directly
Get introduced through a connection
Current Interim Director IT Europe at Van der moolen
Past Consultant (UK & USA) at Various mid-sized companies
CTO at Future Dynamics Ltd
Techincal Director at Easyscreen Plc
Head of Architecture at Easyscreen Plc
Consultant at Leeds Holbeck Building Society
Consultant at Alcatel
Consultant at SD&C Ltd
Senior Analyst at BACG
Senior Analyst at BACG
Software Engineer at Materna
Senior Analyst at ASDA Plc
Manager at British Rail
see less...
9 more...
Education The University of Sheffield
Connections 115 connections Industry Capital Markets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Unwin’s Summary
Senior manager/board member that has delivered technically innovative products into new market spaces, improved bottom line, able to present to investors, customers and media.
Previously a consultant (12 years) with proven ability to deliver in the finance, retail banking, retail, telcom and public sectors.
John Unwin’s Specialties:
* Business experience and management skills to deliver large scale or technically complex systems.
* Trading systems for equities, futures and options across the trade cycle. In-depth knowledge of FIX (Financial Information eXchange) protocol
* Board experience - listed companies, fund raising, investor relations, handling tenders, RFIs and RFPs and the strategic growth process ability to communicate to customers, senior management and investors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Unwin’s Experience
Interim Director IT Europe
Van der moolen
(Public Company; 201-500 employees; VDM; Capital Markets industry)
August 2006 — Present (1 year 4 months)
• Performed a scan of all the VDM Groups IT (Europe & USA) to identify duplication, lack of control and agreed with the board a roadmap to resolve problems.
• Fixed people and technology issues in products delivered form the UK datacenter that had resulted in an unreliable service delivery.
• Established a new IT Organisation based on people form merged entities.
• Completed the work required for SOX compliance.
• Managed budgets.
Consultant (UK & USA)
Various mid-sized companies
(Capital Markets industry)
July 2004 — July 2006 (2 years 1 month)
• Strategic planning and product management for an ISV (Easyscreen) in terms of products that deliver significant cost savings or open new markets.
• Key leadership role developing an Excel Trading platform and OMS for buy side hedge funds that can route orders of different asset classes to a range of brokers using FIX.
• Specified the architecture and performed vendor selection for a new multi asset class trading system for Blue Systems – this will start testing Q3 2005.
• Diagnosed problems (management and technical) and planned remedial actions for a software house specializing in B2B and eProcurement) for the parent compamy.
• Member and active Role in the The FIX Protocol Organization.
.
CTO
Future Dynamics Ltd
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)
October 2003 — July 2004 (10 months)
• Played a key in preparing FDL for acquisition and due diligance, in the end the company was sold to Ffastfill plc.
• Direct management of 22 people and tech repsonsiblity for another 15, developing workflow, real time trading systems on the Microsoft Platform (C++, C#, VB, Java, HTML, XML, SQL 2000).
• Close involement with clients to win new business and improve delivery of existing products and services, involved in the formulation and technical realisation of the business's strategy.
• Played a key role in wining contracts from the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and Chicago Mercantile exchange (CME).
• Introduced People, Process and Technology (PPT is a reduced form of Six Sigma) scheme to improve productivity and quality.
* Participated in the successful sale of the company to FfastFill Plc
Techincal Director
Easyscreen Plc
(Computer Software industry)
2000 — 2003 (3 years)
Alongside board responsibilities, my role was to: increase revenue by technical sales and product innovation, control costs, budgeting, manage risk, motivate the team and maintain high standards of service delivery.
Managed a team of 45 and increased Easyscreens revenue (60%) reduced costs (35%) by focusing the company onto higher revenue activities, cutting out activities with a poor return,
Delivered a new trading platform that has enabled Easyscreen to sell (£2m) solutions to large institutions and allows people trade over the Internet from our data centre. See http://www.refco.com/ps/ps.refcopro.asp
Set up a datacentre to enable Easyscreen customers to trade over the internet and to host exchange connectivity for large institutional clients( see http://www.easyscreen.com/)
Head of Architecture
Easyscreen Plc
(Computer Software industry)
November 1998 — November 2000 (2 years 1 month)
Defined and specified a cost effective systems architecture that met the needs of the business and end users.
Managed a team of 10 that delivered a three-tier order routing platform based on the Microsoft DNA (VB, C++, MSMQ, SQL 7, XML, DHTML/VBScript, ASP, IIS, MTS)
Doubled the product range by writing connectivity to FIX and Eurex exchanges in C++
Engineered the architecture to enable outsourcing firms to add components saving 30-40% of the effort and increasing throughput using a message based OO framework using MSMQ and C++
Consultant
Leeds Holbeck Building Society
(Computer Software industry)
1997 — 1998 (1 year)
Worked on the overall system and UI design and development on a system to renew the branch teller systems using UML with Rational Rose for design and VB ActiveX , COM Business objects(MTS) and Oracle.
The branch teller system is now operational in all 59 branches my part successfully coordinates information form different existing systems.
Mentoring permanent staff to accelerate the transition from traditional technology to objected oriented techniques.
Consultant
Alcatel
(Computer Software industry)
1996 — 1997 (1 year)
Consultant
SD&C Ltd
(Computer Software industry)
1994 — 1996 (2 years)
Senior Analyst
BACG
(Computer Software industry)
1992 — 1994 (2 years)
Senior Analyst
BACG
(Computer Software industry)
1992 — 1994 (2 years)
Software Engineer
Materna
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
October 1989 — June 1992 (2 years 9 months)
Senior Analyst
ASDA Plc
(Computer Software industry)
1987 — 1989 (2 years)
Manager
British Rail
(Computer Software industry)
1980 — 1986 (6 years)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Unwin’s Education
The University of Sheffield
B.Eng, Electrical Engineering, 1977 — 1981
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Information
John Unwin’s Groups:
FIX Protocol Organization member
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Unwin’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
job inquiries expertise requests business deals reference requests getting back in touch
Thanks, No_shorts. Shouldn't be too long then.
Yes, MC, the volume seemed to come up all of a sudden. Not possible right now to tell what caused it. It will be interesting to see whether the momentum carries over to the morning trading.
I wonder how long it will take for the FIA to post the audio files for this year's expo. We'll have to keep checking the link.
Interesting activity in the last hour. A pick up in volume and plenty of large blocks traded at the ask.
Hi, Allie, as we speak, John Unwin of Spooz is scheduled to be speaking at the FIA expo at the session about algorithmic trading.
Songbird
Thanks very much, MC!
Not too much to talk about at the moment - it would be great, however, if we could somehow get a report of John Unwin's presentation at the FIA conference tomorrow.
Do you have any idea if this is possible, MC?
Thanks!
Songbird
Hi, Waller. Yes, Paul reported at the ValueRich Expo that they were invited to speak at this session.
I wonder if there is a way for us to get a report from this session. I think it would be interesting to hear what is said.
The FIA Futures and Options industry starts tomorrow in Chicago. John Unwin, Spooz's chief technology officer, will be a speaker at a session on the technology of algorithmic trading.
http://www.futuresindustry.org/expo-2007-program.asp?t=2007+Futures+%26+Options+Expo&i=7819&r=One
Imperial,
I have to say that I really do appreciate your report of what you learned about SpoozToolz from the demo. Although I don't understand all the details, I think it is good to get a programmer/trader's evaluation of ST. Any details from a knowledgable source about the product is good information in my opinion.
As far as the parts I don't fully understand, I have something I can do more research on.
Happy Thanksgiving to you !
Songbird
Hi, Skyaddict. Could you tell us what you liked about the demo when you saw it?
Thanks!
And there haven't been any big blocks sold at or near the bid today.
Hi, Allie
Really strange action. All the decent size trades so far seem to have been at, or close to the ask. The tiny trades are down close to the bid. Maybe someone is trying to bring the ask down.
Thanks, Snow. I also think this is a long term play - but 2008 is not too far away now, and things could start happening quite soon.
Hi, Snow,
What do you find attractive about SPZI now?
They will be at the FAI Futures and Options Expo in Chicago on November 27-29. John Unwin, Chief Technology Officer is part of a panel discussion on algorithmic trading.
http://www.futuresindustry.org/expo-2007-program.asp?t=2007+Futures+%26+Options+Expo&i=7819&r=One
I think Paul made a spelling error. I think "proceed" should be spelled "precede". There's a big difference in the meaning, and it makes sense if you substitute the words.
Paul, Could you please elaborate on the recent REGDEX filing? It has a lot of investors scared and they are bailing .. atleast for now. You and your management team have always stuck by the same coin - "We operate in a manner that is in the best interest of our shareholders, no dilution, etc." and you better believe we appreciate that because we do! So I was just curious as to what is behind the recent filing. Thank You.
Allen,
This is simply a Form D filing made for Reg D offerings that proceed it. It has nothing whatsoever to do with future offerings as it is done subsequent to exempt offerings.
Best Regards,
Spooz, Inc.
Paul D. Strickland, Jr.
CEO
pstrickland@spooz.com
29 S. LaSalle St.
Suite 1250
Chicago, IL 60603
tel: 312-379-3166
fax: 312-223-0110
Hi, Martingale
Regarding the Omniquant license. The current contract runs for 48 months from April 2007. It is "automatically renewable for successive four (4) year periods unless either party provides the other party with written notice". I don't think OQ can cancel the contract during the current contract period which runs until March 2009.
http://www.pinksheets.com/otciq/ajax/showFinancialReportById?id=12615 (Page 16)
Best,
Songbird
Hi, Martingale, this is the best information that I think I have see at this point regarding the REGDEX filing.
Posted by: Tyrran
In reply to: None Date:11/9/2007 12:15:20 PM
Post #of 37846
E-mail from Paul regarding REGDEX filing. Could someone please explain this a little better. I think I confused myself even more regarding this. lol.
From: Allen
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 8:16 AM
To: pstrickland@spooz.com
Subject: Greeting Paul
Greetings,
Paul, Could you please elaborate on the recent REGDEX filing? It has a lot of investors scared and they are bailing .. atleast for now. You and your management team have always stuck by the same coin - "We operate in a manner that is in the best interest of our shareholders, no dilution, etc." and you better believe we appreciate that because we do! So I was just curious as to what is behind the recent filing. Thank You.
Allen,
This is simply a Form D filing made for Reg D offerings that proceed it. It has nothing whatsoever to do with future offerings as it is done subsequent to exempt offerings.
Best Regards,
Spooz, Inc.
Paul D. Strickland, Jr.
CEO
pstrickland@spooz.com
29 S. LaSalle St.
Suite 1250
Chicago, IL 60603
tel: 312-379-3166
fax: 312-223-0110
Hi, CP. Yes, I was noticing the selling at these levels seems to have dried up for now.
I think if you can consistently (95% of the time) yield $30 profit off a $10000 trade, that is still a pretty big deal.
Hi, MrGood,
These were the details provided in the PR about SWARM:
Trading Days: 12
Number of Trades: 244
Average Trades per Day: 20.3
Number of Winners: 234
Number of Losers: 5
Number of Scratches: * 5
Winning Percentage: 95.9 %
Losing Percentage: 2.05 %
Scratch Percentage: 2.05%
Average Winning Trade: ** $30
Average Losing Trade: ** $16
Now that's an interesting tidbit: "one guy with several hundred thousand was told no can do"
He must have felt pretty confident to want to sink such a huge amount in a small startup company.
I think the delays may have had something to do with the Kauderer Group coming on the scene. I don't think the KG were involved with Spooz at the beginning of the year, but they now seem to be involved very closely at the moment - they are instrumental in the setup of 141 Capital, and that obviously has taken a lot of time and attention.
I find this quote from Paul quite interesting and may explain something about the delay for the release of SpoozTools 2.0 :
"Our investors want us to have a New York presence before product launch because they want us international as quickly as possible. It has everything to do with grabbing market share possible as quickly as possible. This stifles competition due to brand recognition in targeted market segments, which in turn lowers the investment risk in Spooz. We believe that, in this case, quickly acquiring market share is far more important then time to market"
From Paul's recent comments it seems that there is a lot of preparation going on at the moment, and that timing the release of information is an important part of the strategy for "rapid market penetration". According to Paul. "Timing is everything"
I think we may see a major splash of PR's, marketing and media coverage when the time finally comes for SpoozToolz 2.0 to be introduced publically. It seems to me that they hope to be hitting the ground running and getting enough of a head start to make it difficult for potential competitors to catch up.
Again, from Paul "We are always concerned about competition. The level of competition will be commensurate with our financial success. This is the reason we are so focused upon rapid market penetration as opposed to time to market"
So, I agree, while things are pretty quiet now (publically), I think there will come a time where there will be much more going on, and lots more interest.
Songbird
Hi, Martingale. Thanks for your report. Do you know if the accredited investors get restricted or free trading shares?
Songbird
Well, catastros reports that the KG could hold up to 30% of 141, so the free trading portion could be more than 30%. We also don't know what the Spooz percentage will be.
Or, the free trading percantage could be smaller if Spooz has over 40%.
Interesting report from catastros!
Thanks for the report, Martingale. Good DD on a potential Spooz competitor.