18 months into the Euronext acquisition

Multi-award winning Commission Management and Research Evaluation Solution Commcise was acquired by Euronext in December 2018. 18 months on, Commcise is integrated into the Euronext structure and continues to execute on the Euronext strategic plan, "Let's Grow Together". Here are some of the milestones from our story together so far:  

Global Virtual Collaboration through Covid-19 

Through the lockdown this year, Commcise employees worked from home globally. Our strong culture and SaaS operating model allowed for remarkable productivity with teams collaborating virtually, both within the company and with clients, on a daily basis. 

Uninterrupted Software Release Cycle 

The Commcise monthly release cycle continued uninterrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Release highlights include: 

• more flexible and intuitive broker vote platform with the ability to segment votes by regions, asset types, sectors, and to capture vote information with the appropriate granularity 
• higher quality research consumption information policed by a sophisticated data quality engine that includes client-specific rules for data testing and correction 
• more effective feedback to research providers by using standardized sell-side contacts sourced from Commcise's directory of analysts 
• effective management and control of contracted research services 
• more efficient trade and payment automation to facilitate daily reconciliation of CSA/Soft Dollar trades 
• improved client view of the commission landscape via enhanced analysis and reporting tools 

Richard Hooke, Product Manager at Commcise, commented:

"We are constantly challenging ourselves to build on the success of the Commcise platform and to extend our leadership in the management of commissions, evaluations, contracts and payments." 

Significant growth for Commcise Interactions Hub 

The Commcise Interactions Hub, which forms part of the research consumption and valuation solution, has grown to 2000+ research providers submitting research interaction data to our buy-side clients for review, approval and valuation.

Commission Management Reinvented - Aggregation 2.0 

With Commcise technology at its core, Euronext has launched Aggregation 2.0, Commission-Management-as-a-Service, creating a much needed upgrade to the traditional custodial aggregation service in the marketplace today: 

• Aggregation 2.0 allows asset managers to take advantage of Commcise's award-winning web-based software and a choice of either virtual aggregation with a tailored dedicated Euronext client service layer, or custodial aggregation alongside our partners 
• Extended global reach to prospective clients through the Euronext sales base 

We welcome and thank the numerous clients coming onboard the Aggregation 2.0 platform over the last few months, trusting us during this time of uncertainty and transition. 

"The Commcise/Euronext tie-up has enabled us to attract an unprecedented level of interest in the US, where asset managers are craving tools for greater transparency across the front and middle office. There has never been a platform until now delivering this in the commission management space," remarked Kyle Rogge, Commcise’s Head of North American Sales. 

New Product Launch - Commcise Client Strategy 

• Commcise Client Strategy (CommciseCS) has now gone live. With the Commcise core vision of driving transparency solutions in research funding and consumption, this is a natural extension of the platform, designed to support research providers and their client strategy teams. 
• Commcise clients, who include the largest global research providers, can now optimize interactions and data quality, manage buyside contracts and entitlements, and automate the review and approval process in one integrated platform, resulting in overall reduced costs and improved revenue opportunities. 
• CommciseCS is unique in the marketplace in allowing research providers to price their services both within a contractual framework and on a pure consumption basis. Multiple analytics are available allowing relative profitability measurement among a peer group, market segment, regions, etc. This actionable intelligence helps sellside firms to optimize resource allocation across their client base. 

Chris Topple, CEO of Euronext London, commented: 

“We’re excited by the launch of this new product as it addresses a major gap in the industry. MiFID II introduced greater transparency requirements specifically for those firms that consume or provide research services. This resulted in a major shift in the way buy-side firms across the globe procure research and in the way in which sell-side firms price and package their research services. Research franchises are now responsible for their P&L, and CommciseCS uses data and analytics derived from the platform to help Client Strategy teams understand the profitability of each customer they service. We are delighted to see a number of our members embracing this innovative tool.” 

Looking to the future 

While the times are uncertain and the pandemic has disrupted our routines and caused sickness and hardship for so many, we at Commcise will continue innovating and delivering for clients to ensure their businesses are supported.  

Our teams are growing globally, with recruiting in all functions and regions, and continued investment in technology, a core strength across the international Commcise business and for Euronext.  

Support and client service functions are at the center of our growth as we gear up for growing US demand for alternative approaches to their research funding and consumption, interaction tracking and valuation solutions.