Experienced Futures Trader needs new platform...help

I have decided to part ways with CQG. I have tried some others and the charting data is turning into a major issue......I need a platform that will let me program my system in...basically 10-20 conditional statements which give me my indicators above and below the price bars on the graph, both simultaneously and stand alone....any suggestions?????

There are a zillion futures programs out there, have you looked around and priced out the competition?

I would enjoy hearing what your experiences are and how you trade..

I have looked at a few, Sierra Charts is one that is on the cheap side (about 40 per month), but I find that it is going to be near impossible to program the damn thing.....and a serious lack of customer service is also a big issue...although CQG has the best customer  I have seen, although at 1k per month it just isnt feasible any longer. My broker is Infinity Futures and I am just fine with them....essentially I was just purchasing the data feed and charting platform from CQG.

I trade crude and the euro futures contracts and have been doing so for about a year now...sort of an up and down ride, but basically just scalping small points off of a 5 minute or 30 minute chart. I started with CQG because they were the best and I am just begginning the process of searching for a new platform... Can you point me in a positive direction??

Do you need it to be dedicated to a "futures only" company?

Ive noticed that there are many of the Forex firms which also offer commodity and index futures trading..and have programmable inputs into their systems, like the MT4 platform I use.

Do you belong to futures trading forums and discussion boards? If you are stuck on a full service firm like CQG then it would be different than what we do here with the Forex work, which is all web based and DIY trading.

Delta Trading offers commodity futures, index futures and Forex..but they are NOT a full service group like what you have now.

Is there a reason you are needing heavy customer service? Are fills an issue or are you having data disruption? I have to think that unless you are willing to pay big bucks that you will find spotty customer service at most all these firms-

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I would say that the only reason I lean towards the customer service end of things is that I am not a computer wiz....And I realize that I will be taking a major step back in that department pretty much anywhere but CQG. Data disruption isnt a problem, and I will be able to get my broker on the phone (infinity is good about that) if there are any problems on the fill end of things..I will check out delta trading.

My biggest concern is getting my indicators inputted correctly so I am able to trade my system....and from my experience so far with Sierra Charts (they are partnered with Infinity), it looks like I will have to be fluent in C++ in order to get that done...honestly I am a bit discouraged. I would look into hiring  a computer programmer but my system belongs to me and my partners and they will not sign off on any disclosure to anyone.....they are staying with CQG, and Wave 59

wall street....to answer your questions, no I do not belong to a futures trading message board, and I do not need it to be a futures only company

Arent there full service firms that will wait on you hand and foot and help you program your system?

Arent there programs out there which seemlessly integrate systems in?

Why did you choose to use such a complex and archane method to create your system?

From my understanding you should be able to find a program that you can tweak that will do what you are wanting without having to use "home made" methods to get your signals..right?

I had a friend back in the late 90s that was a SPOOS trader only and I know there are firms which will do pretty much whatever you tell them, but I also know that futures programmers/traders are psychotic about their baby and wont allow anyone to see what they created.

How many hours have you spent in creating this and why did you choose to do it in C++?

The reason I asked is if you DID belong to some futures trading message boards I bet you could get some actual opinions from traders as to which firms are the best and which fit what you are looking for.

I belong to this site and it was awesome during the peak market of the late 90s-

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I guess the whole point of dropping CQG was a price issue....they will help you program your system via remote computer entry....I guess that is what the thousand dollar bill every month is for. I am checking out the link you sent me, thanks for taking the  time.

To answer your question on the C++, I did not create it in C++....that is the problem...I am finding that I will have to translate it into C++ in order to input it into the next charting platform. And yes there are full service firms that will do whatever you want, but you end up paying for it big.

As for the man hours involved in developing this system, who knows?? My partners developed it, and I have been trading it for over a year now....they are very protective of the parameters, just like the guys you mentioned. I imagine it is paranoia about the "edge" being priced away......personally, I want to cut costs, but it was made clear that it is up to me to get it going, without outside help on the programming end of things.

thanks again for your help, if you can think of anything else much appreciated.