Intercontinental Exchange and IPC Systems Launch Integrated Voice-Chat Platform for Traders

Intercontinental Exchange  and IPC Systems have unveiled ICE Voice, a new cloud-based audio solution integrated with ICE's existing chat platform. The service, which went live on September 18, 2024, aims to provide a comprehensive communication tool for traders and professional investors.

ICE Voice combines IPC's Connexus Unigy private cloud platform with ICE Chat, the company's instant messaging system that currently serves over 120,000 users in the commodities sector. The integration allows for persistent open connections and full audio recording capabilities, including configurable retention and remote playback of archived calls.

Maurisa Baumann, Head of Desktops and Feeds at ICE, stated, "We're pleased to offer a single, integrated platform for chat and voice that was designed to tailor to the workflows of our customers and provide always-on, instantaneous connectivity for traders and other financial market participants." She added, "This innovative new solution can foster communication throughout the trading process and offer an easy-to-use recordkeeping tool for both chat and voice communications."

The new platform incorporates several features designed for traders, such as AI-powered Smart Text Recognition, which converts text into actionable data via APIs, and Message Blaster for mass communication. Users can switch between chat and voice modes, initiate calls from chat tabs and group rooms, and use Voice Blasts to simultaneously communicate with multiple open connections.

Tim Carmody, Chief Technology Officer at IPC Systems, commented on the collaboration: "By bringing our industry-leading voice technology together with ICE's Chat network, we're offering market participants a single solution for their communication needs. As traders' needs evolve with changing markets, this robust solution will provide an enhanced trading experience for ICE Chat users and the back-office staff supporting them."

The integration of chat and voice logs into a single record is expected to aid in compliance programs for trading desks and firms. This feature comes at a time when financial institutions are under increasing pressure to maintain comprehensive records of all trading-related communications.

ICE Voice is now available through the ICE Chat platform, which is widely used in the commodities trading sector. The launch represents a significant move in the trading communications market, potentially simplifying workflows and enhancing record-keeping capabilities for financial professionals.