New ReadyNow From Azul Systems Solves The Java Warmup Problem

Unique New Technology Included in Zing That Ensures Peak System Performance at Market Open and During Other Critical Times

Azul Systems®, Inc. has announced ReadyNow!, revolutionary new technology that solves the “warm-up” problem prevalent in many Java applications. ReadyNow! is included in the latest version of Azul’s Zing runtime for Java, version 5.9, and ensures peak application performance is available without long “warm-up” periods and during other critical times. ReadyNow! is particularly well-suited for use in the financial markets that require peak system performance at the critical moments during market open and other times such as unpredictable surges in volume or trading behavior.

The Java “warm-up” problem refers to an aspect of the behavior of a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), the software responsible for running Java applications. As a Java application is launched, the JVM is responsible for compiling the Java application into a form that can be run on a computer or server, and as the application continues to run the JVM will recompile important parts of the application code to improve performance. However, a problem exists as often times a Java application has not yet been compiled optimally when peak performance is actually required. In practice, the Java application needs to “warm-up” before it is ready to reliability perform at the level needed.

In financial markets, this “warm-up” period can result in lost trading opportunities, lost liquidity, lost revenue, lost market and risk data, and ultimately loss of customers. These losses can accumulate and have a significant impact on a firm’s market presence and standing in this highly competitive sector.

To compensate for these problems, firms utilize various techniques including executing “warm-up” test data that attempts to mimic real market conditions, issuing and canceling small live trades, and various other programming practices. These workarounds for the “warm-up” problem carry real operational risks, however, sometimes executing accidental trades that can cost millions or in extreme cases cause market “flash crashes.” And yet, even after assuming these risks, the systems may still not realize peak performance at market open due to the unpredictable and dynamic characteristics of a real-world trading environment.

With ReadyNow!, traders, market makers, and risk analysts can feel confident that their Java-based systems, and their software, are “warmed up” when they are needed most, without suffering from unexpected stalling and without assuming operational risk.

Key benefits of Azul’s ReadyNow! technology include:

• Dramatically simplifies operational processes and reduces risks associated with “warming-up” Java-based financial systems

• Ensures consistent, peak performance during critical times of trading, market making, and risk analysis

• Reduces if not eliminates the need for synthetic test data or “warm-up” trades on live systems

• Further accelerates the adoption of Java for low-latency, real-time financial systems

“The ‘warm-up’ problem for Java applications has been a very real issue that has long-plagued the financial sector and other markets requiring consistent, real-time performance from their systems,” said Scott Sellers, Azul Systems president and CEO. “With ReadyNow! technology in Zing, Azul fundamentally solves the ‘warm-up’ problem, and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to develop innovative and unique solutions for the financial sector and other low-latency, real-time markets.”

"Java ‘warm up’ is a real problem for market takers, traders and financial firms who rely on being able to consistently identify opportunities throughout the trading day,” said Victor Glava, chief technology officer at OptionsCity. “We are excited to leverage the advancements in ReadyNow! to continue developing OptionsCity’s platforms for our customers’ success."

ReadyNow! Availability

ReadyNow! is available immediately in the latest Zing version 5.9, with additional capabilities being added throughout 2014. ReadyNow! is included free-of-charge with a Zing product subscription.