Patent ID: 7899740

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to: receive a first order for an instrument, and a first indicator, from a first computer system, wherein the first indicator indicates that the first order is one of a real order or a test order, wherein the first order is a test order, and wherein the first order specifies a first quantity of the instrument and a first price; receive a second order for the instrument, and a second indicator, from a second computer system, wherein the second indicator indicates that the second order is one of a real order or a test order, wherein the second order is a test order, and wherein the second order specifies a second quantity of the instrument and a second price; wherein a test order cannot bind an originator of the test order to tender money or the instrument as specified in the test order; match the first order with at least the second order; determine, based at least in part on the first indicator, whether the first order is a test order or a real order, wherein determining whether the first order is a test order or a real order comprises: determining that the first order is a test order; determine, based at least in part on the second indicator, whether the second order is a test order or a real order, wherein determining whether the second order is a test order or a real order comprises: determining that the second order is a test order; execute the first order, wherein executing the first order comprises: reducing the first quantity of the instrument; receive a third order for the instrument, and a third indicator, from a third computer system, wherein the third indicator indicates that the third order is one of a real order or a test order, wherein the third order is a real order, and wherein the third order specifies a third quantity of the instrument and a third price; and determine, based at least in part on the third indicator, whether the third order is a test order or a real order, wherein determining whether the third order is a test order or a real order comprises: determining that the third order is a real order.