2.4 Research & Development

For the past year, it was another year that the Company continued to
concentrate on information technology system development so as to meet
the investors’ demands as well as to support the Company’s various
business and services such as Derivatives service. There have been 3 new
underlying assets launched; SET50 Index Futures, SET50 Index Options and
Single Stock Futures, which the investors can trade via trading programs
namely “Streaming-D” and “OneClick”. The Company also extensively
developed the securities trading systems via internet for more efficient
and better service, details of which are as follows:

1.  Securities Trading

As the Company launched the Derivatives service since September 2008, it
had developed its systems in accordance with the official standard
imposed by the controlling authorities in order to support all products
of Thailand Futures Exchange PCL. (TFEX), which are Futures and Options.
Presently, there are 3 underlying assets; SET50 Index Futures, SET50
Index Options and Single Stock Futures, that the Company provides 2
trading platforms for investors which are traditional trading (Marketing
Officer) and internet trading. Also the reports of derivatives analysis
are arranged and posted on the Company’s website for investors’
convenience.

2.  Internet Trading Service

The Company has added several usage functions to facilitate investors
and to support the increasing number of customers. For example, the
E-Report on securities trading history of 12 months, the
Self-Force-Change PIN before sending the first trading order, and the
Change Default Account to specify customer’s account for trading on
website, etc. All functions are provided in both Thai and Japanese
languages. In addition, the Company has also enhanced other systems as
follows;

1.  Developing and adjusting website as well as publicizing the
    information and services to the investors and customers

2.  Preparing the Multi-Market system in order to support the securities
    and derivatives trading via internet named “Streaming Plus” program.
    Settrade has developed the program during the year 2008, and the
    Company has started the program testing since December 2008 and
    expected to be live in the beginning of the year 2009. Such program
    can support both stock and derivatives markets with higher
    efficiency for the real time news update.

3.  Preparing and testing the systems for the Credit Balance Internet
    Trading to serve the Company’s credit balance customers. Regarding
    the sending trading orders via internet, the Company importantly
    aims on consistency, security and speed of the systems. Existing
    credit balance customer who meets the required qualifications can
    also apply for such internet service.

3.  Additional Derivatives Trading System Development to support the
    increasing amount of transactions. The related customer service
    support functions on Clearing/Settlement covering the business
    operation as well as the trading limit controlling system, etc. are
    also developed.

4.  Additional System Preparation to support the Stock Borrowing and
    Lending (SBL) business and the short selling of securities in order
    to fully serve investors. As a result, the investor can also short
    sell through cash account in addition to the margin account. This
    service is scheduled to be launched in 2009.

5.  System Establishment to comply with the Computer Related Crime Act
    B.E. 2550 by regulating all of the Company’s employees to
    acknowledge the computer usage rules via internet, arranging the
    user identity verification system, keeping all usage log files and
    printing report as well as making the encryption for data accuracy.

Apart from the various system development previously mentioned, the
Company also developed the Data Centre in order to comply with the
international standard namely “TIA 942 Telecommunications Infrastructure
Standard” which is an absolute infrastructure and main system
development project such as Electricity System, Telephone System,
Cabling System, Raised Floor System, Clean Agent Fire Suppression
System, Fire Compartment, Access Control System, etc. The first phase
was completed in February, 2008 and the second phase comprising Water
Leak Detection System, High Sensitive Smoke Detect System (HSSD), etc.
was completed in July, 2008. As a result, the Data Centre has full
capacity to support future business expansion on the universal basis of
safety and standard.