The information is key. But first, think about how brokers are being cut out of the picture. Access is provided through numerous online brokerage services. I won't give anyone a plug here by naming them. It's enough to say that customers have access to cheaper stock trading on the web.
Information is next.
And here I will give a plug. Take a look at Thomson Investor Network . Thomson's integrates all the information into a display that is customer friendly. They own it. They pitch it as institutional quality information, and it is.