Getting Started with CAST 2
How to Set Up a Billable CQG QTrader System
CAST 2 is a work in progress and as we replicate the full functionality of CAST in this new product, we are adding new ‘view-only’ screens regularly. In the meantime, please follow the steps below to setup your QTrader users. The CQG team will be in touch with you as more functionality is available.
Introduction
CAST 2 allows FCM partners to:
- Create CQG QTrader systems for their customers
- Manage their customers’ CQG QTrader systems
Compatibility
CAST2 is built to run in modern browsers
Requirements
According to exchange policy, CQG QTrader setups require additional information about the trader, including:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Full address with zip code and state
CAST Setup
Home Screen
The home screen of CAST 2 is designed to easily facilitate typical workflows.
Task cards
Task cards for common workflows are in the main part of the Home screen.
- The CAST 2 user can sign up a new customer by selecting “Set up a new profile.”
- If a Customer requests access to a CQG product then the CAST 2 user selects “Set up a new login” and attach it to an existing profile.
- CAST 2 user selects “Set up a new account” to create a new trading account in the CQG system. The profile is required to be set up first.
Navigation Bar
The navigation bar has entry points to setup, search and access to recent records.
Login Tab
The navigation bar has the Login tab where you can also set up a new login or search for logins, and access recent logins.
Brokerage Risk Parameters
Once you select a Brokerage from the Profile Search you can set Risk Parameters for the Brokerage firm including General Information, Risk Parameters Restrictions, New Account Risk Parameters, Market Limits Restrictions, and Market Limits.
Account Risk Parameters
When setting Account Risk Parameters the Account Risk Parameters cannot exceed the Brokerage Risk Parameters.
Left Bar
The left hand side details recent searches including recently accessed profiles, recently accessed logins, recently accessed accounts, and recent orders.
Search Change Activity History
Along the bottom you can search by “Change Activity History.” Click in “Data from” and access the calendar.
Scenario: Set up a new Profile
The Setup Profile Wizard
Main Info
This wizard below opens. For “Main Info” you select Type and the two choices are customer or administrator. The Brokerage name is usually automatically listed. The Legal Type is a drop down with these choices: Individual, Joint, Limited, Trust and Corporate.
Selecting Name adds a first and last name entry boxes.
Finally, Authentication uses a User Name and Password which are automatically generated from the CQG Gateway. Then, click on the Save and Continue to move to the Contact Info box.
Contact Info
The Contact Info slide has typical requirements: Email, Phone, Fax number (optional), Address 1, address 2 (optional), City, State, Zip/Postal code, Country. This information is used for billing.
Sales Series
Sales Series is usually an assignment to a group, such as a sales representative. Click “Select sales series” to open the sales series list.
Once you have connected the Sales Series to the Profile you select “Save and Continue” to setup a new Login.
Setup a System Login for QTrader
Credentials
The System generates a Login name and defaults to Trade Routing. The Type is Pro or Non-Pro. The FCM is responsible for having the proper documents signed and in-house regarding Pro versus Non-Pro status.
Click on “All Products and Services” to add exchanges, etc. As “Non-Pro” is the type so you have warning icons by some services.
Send a Welcome email
The last step is to send a Welcome Email so send the customer their credentials and link to download the software.
Setup a Trading Login
Credentials
Select “Save and Repeat step” to return to the set up a new Login for “Trade Routing” for the Non-Pro QTrader user.
Authorized accounts
The next step is to bind the Trade Routing to an Account. Click on Select account down to the right to search for accounts.
Connection Settings
Click Save and Continue for Settings. You can select the Connection point, Password never expires, etc. Click Save and Continue for Event Notifications.
Exchange membership
If the customer is an Exchange member you select the Exchange and enter the customer’s Member ID.
IP Whitelisting
IP white listing limits the locations a trader or CAST user can login from, such as the user can only login from inside the office.
Service Bundles are not available.
Products & Services
Add market data, such as from the CME exchange from the All Products & Services or from Real-Time data.
Welcome mail
Click Save and Continue to send out the Welcome email with credentials to the customer.
Profile Record
Once the new Profile and Login are completed you will see the new Profile Record. The left hand column gives details of the System Login, Customer Profile and Change Activity History.
Scenario: Setup a new Account or manage a current Account
Link a profile
To setup a new account, you must first have a profile setup to link it to.
Once you have linked to the correct profile then the Account display lists the settings available on the left hand side: General Information, Settings, Risk Parameters, Market Limits, Balances, Authorized Logins, Type and Origin Overrides, Group Account Information.
Risk Parameters and Market Limits
Next, you can set Risk Parameters and Market Limits. In the Parameters window there are three settings: Single Trade Limits, Overall Account Limits and Margin Subsystem.
The Market Limits settings are using parameters from the Risk Parameters group.
The settings on Risk Parameters page apply to risk at the account level and override the default settings for the FCM. If a maximum limit is set at the FCM level, then the account value must be less than the maximum FCM amount.
The Parameters include: Liquidation Only, authorization to Trade Futures, a dropdown menu for trading Options (All, No, and Buy), Maximum Order Rate setting, and Price Calculation Algorithm.
The Single Trade Limits include setting Trade Size Limit, trade Margin Limit, Trade Price Limit (Passive, aggressive, LMT + Stop). Reject Risky Market Orders.
Set Overall Account Limits includes settings for: Commodity Position Limit, Contract Position Limit, Daily Loss Limit, Delta Daily Loss Limit, Include Unrealized Profit Loss in Daily Loss Limit and Delta Daily Loss Limit, Include Open trade Equity in Daily Loss Limit and Delta Daily Loss Limit.
Setting up Margin calculation settings. Margin Subsystem, when enforced, any trade that could cause margin requirements to exceed account's available funds is denied. Calculated margin requirements and funds available to cover margin are affected by the OTE, NOV, and Margin Multiplier parameters set in the Parameters section.
Market Limits are inherited from the Risk Parameters page. You can override them here by Commodity: Commodity Position Limit, Instrument Position Limit, Contract Position Limit, Trade Size Limit, Trade Price Limit, Margin Multiplier, LTD Limit (days from now). The setting LTD Limit (days from now) allows you to prohibit trading if the last trading day is more than N calendar days from today.).
Setting Balances
Setting Balances: To add a new balance, select the +Add balance button.
The rate displayed for the currency is sent by the FCM with the rest of the nightly statement data. CQG will provide the rate if it is not provided with back office data. The rate is needed in order to accurately calculate the account value.
CQG uses CQG FX Indices values for current rate data. Your account is configured to use the current intraday currency rate by default. To change this setting, contact CQG. If the current intraday currency rate is not available, then yesterday’s settlement rate is used. For accounts that choose not to use the intraday currency rate, the system calculates risk based on the rate used by the account’s FCM on the most recent statement date. If that value is not available, then yesterday’s settlement rate is used.
Link Authorized Logins
In the Authorized Logins section, to add a new Login select the +Select Logins.
Select or unselect the check boxes: View Only, Remove Authority, Force Care, and Allow External Accounts.
- View Only: Trader can view account information but cannot trade on the account.
- Remove Authority: Trader cannot view account information or trade on this account. (Account is removed when you save the page.)
- Force Care: Trader cannot place orders directly to the exchange; only care orders are allowed.
- Allow External Accounts: This enables the Broker External Orders feature. Brokers now have the ability to enter orders into any account, including accounts associated with the broker that are not set up on CQG.
Scenario: Customer needs to Reset their Password
Search for a customer
From the Home Page, simply use the Search box located in the top right-hand corner to find the customer. You can search by the customer name or other key information, such as login.
What is returned are results using “Search for a profile.” If you click “Search for a login” then a new window opens displaying the results.
Hovering your mouse over a row will expose the “Open in a new tab” feature. Clicking this will open that feature in a new tab. Now, you can open up multiple records at the same time, select the tab of interest or drag the tabs to be side by side.
Task menu
Clicking the three dot menu will expand the drop down with a list of features. As the scenario is a customer wants to change their password, you select “Change Credentials.”
The CAST user cannot change the credentials for the customer. Selecting “Change credentials” will open this window. You have different choices including “Send credential change email” to the customer. The email sent includes links to MyCQG.com to login and change the password. The CAST user can stay on the phone with the customer for any additional assistance.
Scenario: Adding Market Data or other features
To add market data requested by a customer you first search for the profile of the customer using the upper right-hand search. Choose the correct profile.
Access linked logins in the left bar
The profile displays the Linked Logins, both the System and the Trade Routing on the left hand side. If the customer wants to access new market data and be able to trade the market you first add the exchange using the System Login then second, add the exchange for the Trade Routing Login.
Pro tip: You can use CTRL+Click or use the open in new tab icon to open the records in separate browser tabs so you don’t have to wait for pages to load when navigating back to the original record.
Update System Login Market Data
Update the System preferences by selecting System in the left hand column, then select Real-Time Data. Search for the exchange, such as CBOT, and enable the exchange.
Update Trading Login Exchange access
For adding the exchange to Trade Routing go back to the profile and click the Trade Routing Login under Linked Logins. You can add the exchange by selecting Real-Time Data or search All Products and Services for the exchange and then enable the exchange. For customers with multiple brokers you select under Billing brokerage “All Brokerages in Equal Amounts.” Then click Save.
If there’s not authorized account: add one
In the above example, there is not an authorized account. This would be rare, but to connect to an account after you have saved the changes click “+Select accounts” in the bottom right hand corner as seen in the image below.
Scenario: Troubleshoot an order
A customer contacts the FCM with questions regarding an order. Click on the Orders tab at the top and select “Search for an order.”
Search
You can search for an order by using any of a long list of choices. Or, enter the Order ID in the right-hand top search window.
Details
Switch back to the Details tab in the top pane and select Operational Details in the bottom pane.
Scenario: Restrict Accounts to Long Positions only
New Account Risk Parameters (All Markets)
A new feature to restrict an account to placing long positions only. Set Risk Parameters for a new account. Save changes. This is set for all markets.
Options Account Risk Parameters
You can restrict options trading to "No", "Long Only" and "Use market limit settings."