XLStream 

Exce(R) Risksvr(tm) feed

 

Download XLStream

XlStream.xll Download ( Please Note XLStream is Only available to registered Users !)

 

 

Description
XLStream is a very powerful suite of tools to steer and run RisksvrTM directly form Excel(R). 

The idea behind XLStream is very simple: 
You select a range or sheet  that represents valid data expected by the server. 
The data could be (default probabilities, trade data, market data (prices, volatilities, correlations, factors, etc), implied volatility surfaces, etc.

The Data is then sent to the server either on a real-time basis (automatically as the data changes  on the spreadsheet) or on a "snapshot" basis (manually when you decide to feed the data to the web server or in-house server) 

This data can be specified in numerous formats and layouts, from, name-value-pairs, command separated values (csv), extended markup language (xml)l,etc (see below).

Real-Time and Snapshot

XLStream Functions can be used to feed data on a real-time basis from Excel(R) to RisksvrTM.

XLStream Commands can be invoked from the Menu or Toolbar as a "snapshot" utility to feed updates manually.

XLStream as a Real-Time Bridge: The XLStream Functions:

As a real-time utility, XLStream functions are invoked as any standard Excel(R) functions: Either by typing "=" followed by the function name and its arguments or from the menu (or shortcut keys) by invoking the Function Wizard dialog. (Select Insert and then Function)., then select the Riskservers XLStream category:

Both Command sand Functions take the same number of arguments (see below)

You define the Excel Range containing the data, then whenever the selected data changes on the  spreadsheet, the data is fed to  RisksvrTM 's user memory cache realm for processing.


XLStream functions can also be invoked on a snapshot basis  by toggling the "Activation Key" field.  

XLStream Snapshot: Call the XLStream Dialog Box from the Menu :

XLStream  Dialog Box snapshot is invoked from the RiskServers menu or the XLStream Toolbar.

                                                   

You select the Excel Range containing the data. Once you validate the information by pressing ok, the data is sent to to RisksvrTM 's user memory cache realm on the web server or in-house server.

XLStream V 1.0 Snapshot Interface

XLStream Fields

Mandatory Field:

Cell Range 
You must select the Cell Range containing the minimum data expected by the Server.

Note: It is important to understand that each XLStream function has it's own type of Format. For a description of the Data formats please refer to the specific XLStream functions:
XLStreamDefaults  (XLStream Default Probabilities Data) 
XLStreamPos  ( XLStream Portfolio or Position )
By default XLStream expects the most generic format, which is NAME Value Pair, other formats, such as CSV or Entity Based (XML) formats can also be defined for each individual file, file group or type. This feature is defined is Risksvr's  Engine Specification data Input format. Possible enhancements might include format definition through the XLStream Function.

Optional Fields:

By default, XLStream will use the same internet connection settings that were defined in your Browser Connection Settings (Tools Options Connections Tab, LAN Settings button (i.e. if you are already using a proxy, then XLStream should pick this up automatically). 

IE Bypass: Direct Connection Checkbox
If you select this field, XLStream will bypass the IE Communication settings and connect directly to the web.

Security: Normal or SSL: 
By default, transactions are carried out in Normal mode. 
If you need to ensure maximum security, select SSL which will use Risksvr's 1024 SSL certificate. 

Note: It is important to understand the quality of your SSL  connection will also depend on  your settings. 
If you expect to use encryption frequently, we recommend you recognize (and thus install) Risksvr's   Certificate Authority (CA)  in the Trusted Root Certificate Authority realm (purpose). 
This step can either be done automatically: connect to Risksvr's Secure Section and store the CA.
or manually: save the CA in a file, then call the Certificate Dialog box  (Tools Options Conent Tab, Certificates button, Trusted Root Certificate Authority Tab and Import Button). If you have any doubts ask your system administrator (sa).

XLStream: A  Suite of Specialized Functions

XLStream was initially designed  as a generic  tool configurable by the user.
 
To avoid putting such as powerful tool in the wrong hands,  XLStream has been bound to the user's permissions sets and geared towards  specific data modules.

Please note XLStream is only available to Registered User. 

Guests are only entitled access upon special request. 
If you would like to try out this amazing tool, but don't want to create an account, please send us a  mail with proper contact information. (remember to remove the REMOVE-ME spam guard!)


Current Active Functions include:

XLStream Default Probability Data.
XLStream Trade / Position  Data.

Other modules currently in the testing phase, might be released upon request:

XLStream :Market Data Suite: To feed Market Prices or stochastic variables (volatilities, correlations, factor coefficients, etc). 
XLStream :I.V. Implied Volatility Surfaces.
XLStream :Obligor Correlation and Accounts: For Credit Risk modeling &  analysis. 
XLStream :Country Data: For Country Risk and Devaluation analysis. 

Caveat: Non Validating Content and Formats 

Content
XLStream will NOT check the validity or consistency of the data.
If the Data is incorrect, Risksvr will return an explicit error message with a description of the problem. 
You must therefore ensure the data corresponds to the data expected by the engine in order to perform calculations. 

Formats
For each input or output, the engine currently accepts three types of formats:

Name Value Pairs are accepted by default.
Each  format can be specified at the data level (e.g. equity prices, volatilities correlation,...), file group level (e..g. market data, credit data, ..),  stream direction  (input output) or type (file:,url,..,).  It is therefore your responsibility to define the data according to the input format assigned during the run.

Get up and Running in less than 2 minutes:


XLStream Default Probability Data Easy Setup

 XLStream was designed to be used with the trading board  export facility. 

Getting to use XLStream is VERY easy provided you install the Add-In in Excel(R). 

  1. Download XLStream.
  2. Install the xll in the Add-In repository so that it will show up when you load Excel.
    ::Select     Tools, then Add-Ins. 
    If  XLStream appears in the list check-it ! If not, push the Browse button and select the downloaded  xlstream.xll

      You can now use XLStream.

  1. In the Trading Board, click on the icon above the credit Module.
  2. Call RiskServers Menu, then XLStream or use the Toolbar!
  3. Select the Reference (the range containing ALL the data sent to the Worksheet)
  4. Click Ok
To select the range, click on the red cross
or type in the range manually

 

XLStream Default Data

The Default Data function provides a bridge to stream data back into the Credit Risk Engine.

The risk engines recognizes two fundamental formats:

Migration Data

Migration data is typically represented by Transition Data.
In this setting the full migration between Rating Ranks is taken into account to compute credit risks.

Credit Curve Data

In the Credit Curve Data setting, Risksvr converts all the data to either continuous (i.e. Marginal Conditional Default Probabilities) or discrete (i.e. Hazard Rates) credit curve building blocks.
In this framework, Transition Matrices can be converted to credit curve equivalents by using the  default states evolving over time.

Except if defined otherwise, Expected Default Probabilities, which are the industry standard, are assumed to be supplied by default. Other accepted values are: Hazards, Survival Rates, Marginal Conditional Probabilities. 

XLStream Trade Data

 2 minutes Setup

XLStream was designed to be used with the trading board  export facility.

  1. Download XLStream (XLStream.xll).
  2. Install the xll in the Add-In repository so that it will show up when you load Excel.
    ::Select Tools, then Add-Ins. If  XLStream appears in the list check-it ! If not, choose Browser to select xlstream.xll

      You can now use XLStream.

  1. In the Trading Board, click on the icon above the Portfolio / Position Module.
  2. Call RiskServers Menu, then XLStream or use the Toolbar!
  3. Select the Reference (the range containing ALL the data sent to the Worksheet)
  4. Click Ok

 

 To select the range, click on the red cross
or type in the range manually

 

The XLStreamPos module provides a bridge to stream data back into your Trade Cache Realm.
Fields for each type of trade are detailed in the Trade specification manual as well as the on-line help. However, the easiest way to understand the different trade fields and formats, is to enter a series of trades in the Portfolio Module and then download the data from the Position Export facility , modify some terms and conditions and then send this data back to the server!.