Technology - Build or buy - To build or buy?

Today's complex energy markets mean the traditional decision of whether to build or buy trading and risk management software systems has never been more important, writes Mark Raine

Operating in today's booming, but highly complex, energy markets requires a greater commitment to planning and building trading and risk management systems than ever before, particularly for financial institutions. Competition is rife, and companies need to retain and expand their corporate client base by offering a wider range of products via proprietary channels.

In the past, financial institutions such as investment banks, hedge funds and pension funds have been able to enter the energy and