LIFFE CONNECT®'s open architecture allows LIFFE market users to have a wide range of front-end trading applications to choose from. The front-end trading applications designed by the various conformed LIFFE CONNECT® ISVs and those produced in-house by member-developers provide tailored trading solutions depending on the focus of the trader in question.

LIFFE are always keen to hear from ISVs who wish to write to the LIFFE Application Programme Interface (API) and thereby increase the number of choices for market users. There are a number of steps that need to be carried out for an ISV to become a LIFFE CONNECT® ISV.

1. In the first instance an ISV questionnaire should be completed and submitted to LIFFE with a copy of the ISV's latest annual report and accounts. Questionnaires can be requested from LIFFE Technology Partnerships by telephone on +44 (0)20 7379 2417 or via e-mail at liffeconnect@liffe.com
   

2. LIFFE will review the questionnaire and annual report and accounts.

3. If the completed questionnaire and the latest annual reports and accounts appear to meet LIFFE's criteria, an initial meeting will be arranged to discuss the ISV programme and review the hardware/software to be used.
   
4. If the hardware/software is deemed to be suitable, an API Agreement and API Appendix will be sent for your review and approval. These are legal contracts which, when signed:
   - give you access to the API software and its full specification
   - give you the right to distribute the API internally to your development team
   - bind you not to re-distribute or misuse the API software
   
5. Upon receipt of a hard copy of the signed agreements we will e-mail the API software (NT or Solaris) to you (or send a copy on a CD) in order for you to begin your development.
   
6. ISV testing will begin at this time, this will consist of three conformance tests:
   - Pre Development Conformance Test
   - Functionality Conformance Test
   - Volume Conformance Test
   
7. A Marketing and Development Agreement will then need to be signed. This agreement incorporates an 'SLA' (Service Level Agreement) where both parties agree to the following:

• LIFFE - agree to promote the ISV as a LIFFE CONNECT® ISV through a number of initiatives. LIFFE CONNECT® ISVs are able to promote their access to LIFFE by providing company information on this site and in LIFFE publications and are given the opportunity to exhibit at ISV showcases organised by LIFFE.
  
• ISV - agree to develop the software and promote LIFFE CONNECT®.
  

• Both parties will agree to produce monthly reports and agree to commit to new developments.