A multinational commodities broker with a strong presence in the metals derivatives markets approached Sinara to review its trading operations. The business faced challenges in streamlining workflows, integrating IT systems, and addressing operational bottlenecks. As market conditions evolved and competition intensified, the broker recognised the need to modernise but needed clarity on where to focus its efforts. Sinara was engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of the broker’s operations and provide strategic recommendations for transformation.
The Challenge
The firm operated in a fast-paced and increasingly competitive market but found its trading operations constrained by outdated processes and fragmented systems. As the business grew, inefficiencies began to surface across workflows, IT infrastructure, and client engagement, leading to operational delays and a heightened risk of errors.
Although the business understood that digital transformation could unlock new growth opportunities and enhance client service, it had no clear roadmap for achieving this. Realising it needed to better understand the scope of its operational challenges and the technological solutions available, the senior management team sought guidance to assess its current state and identify areas for improvement.
Project Scope
Sinara’s engagement involved a detailed review of the broker’s entire trading lifecycle, spanning front, middle, and back-office functions. This comprehensive analysis covered:
- Evaluating existing IT systems and trading platforms.
- Interviewing staff across multiple departments.
- Reviewing operational documentation and observing daily activities.
- Mapping out workflows and data processes to highlight inefficiencies and blockers.
In addition to core trading functions, the review addressed regulatory compliance, market data analysis, and client relationship management. Sinara’s assessment encompassed the broker’s full suite of services, including metals futures, OTC contracts, options, and physical warrant-related activities.
Approach
Sinara adopted a structured, high-level approach to capture the broker’s current operations and develop actionable recommendations. The project was divided into two key phases:
- ‘As-is’ analysis – Documenting existing workflows, IT systems, and operational inefficiencies.
- ‘To-be’ recommendations – Proposing digitalisation and automation strategies tailored to the broker’s long-term objectives.
The focus was on identifying opportunities to automate repetitive manual tasks, reduce operational complexity, and transition paper-based or purely verbal processes into structured digital workflows.
Key Challenges Identified
Sinara’s analysis revealed several critical barriers to operational efficiency:
- Fragmented IT systems – A lack of integration across trading platforms resulted in data silos and inconsistent information flow.
- Manual processes – Reliance on manual inputs increased the risk of errors, slowed trade execution, and drove up costs.
- Operational disconnect – Poor integration between front, middle, and back offices impeded communication and decision-making.
- Limited scalability – Existing infrastructure was not equipped to support growth into new markets or expand product offerings.
Recommendations and Outcome
Based on these findings, Sinara developed a series of targeted recommendations to address the broker’s challenges. Following the review, the broker selected Sinara to design and implement a fully integrated end-to-end trading system based on SinaraTLC technology, tailored to its specific needs. This collaboration resulted in a cutting-edge platform that has enhanced operational efficiency, reduced bottlenecks, and positioned the broker for sustainable growth.
