Trading Software and Books Reviews

Seismo Review

Trader One

I have found Seismo to be the perfect answer to the challenge of defining and assembling all the elements of a good trade. It provides both a training system and a fully customisable charting package. Seismo teaches a trading system that employs indicators such as trend, candlesticks, support and resistance.

The installation process is through a first-rate customer service line where the instructor guides every client through the setup process, which saves an enormous amount of time. After this first training session I was confidently able to use the program.

I was happy to find that the instructors tailor their training for each client. Being a CFD trader, I was trained on the CFD-specific functions as well as the standard trading functions. Apart from the phone training I found the Powerpoint training modules on indicators and on the recommended trading method to be very easy to understand and apply.

Seismo has functions for tracking positions in equities, CFDs, options and warrants that facilitate risk management (importantly for CFD traders this includes the margins and the interest component). This means that trade positions can easily be tracked enabling the user to adhere either to the risk management rules that the Seismo training prescribes or the user’s own criteria.

The scanning tools and indicator templates are already set up with the Seismo prescribed parameters, but are also very simple to modify, so an experienced trader can experiment with different settings. I love the user friendliness of the package, the various ranking filters and especially the alert system, which allows you to add your own notes and ideas about the share. The program also contains many other sophisticated indicators and functions, so it adequately accommodates users who are able to develop their own trading system.

I want to emphasise how easy, practical and enjoyable the Seismo program and training is to use, even for a still relatively new trader like myself. n

Trader Two

Seismo>ShareChart is a software program designed to assist beginner and intermediate stock market traders and investors to get off the starting block and improve their performance. It is, in essence, a charting package inclusive of an inbuilt trading system and proprietary market searches in addition to most standard charting tools such as MACD, RSI and Bollinger bands, as well as unique CFD tools.

The software is very simple to load and its basic mechanics are easily grasped within the phone training provided (approximately three hours). Those who like to consider fundamental data would find Seismo’s data package of interest as it contains both technical and fundamental information. The data serves a dual purpose in updating an inbuilt basic portfolio management service that enables the user to track the open position value of their equity and CFD holdings.

The proprietary market searches contained within Seismo>ShareChart would be best described as a collection of ‘white box’ systems, as the trading and investment concepts are able to be clearly defined by the user. They allow amendment of such factors as time period, and the addition of price, volume and indicator filters.

Careful thought has been given to providing some stand-out features such as an interactive alert system that is displayed as and when the user-defined conditions occur, and a clever interest and margin calculating function for CFDs. I was also quite impressed with the ease of navigation around Seismo>ShareChart.

At present it is not possible for users to develop their own indicators or specific search functions. My understanding is that the staff at Seismo are happy to consider any sensible trading system suggestions for incorporation into their package. However, I feel Seismo>ShareChart would be of limited value at present to the advanced trader interested in system design and back testing.

Seismo’s customer service intention is clear. They are not simply a software and training company, but an organisation dedicated to assisting those who wish to develop their trading and investing skills. In addition to the software, a brief overview of technical analysis is contained on the educational CD that accompanies the software and further tuition can be purchased if desired. n

Trader Three

Seismo is an equities and equity derivatives charting package that offers access to market data from Australian and other major stock markets.

The outstanding feature of this package is the training provided. The software and training manuals are supplied on CD and Seismo also provides telephone installation assistance and training for all clients.

Seismo charts instruments in separate windows and allows application of various charting tools, charting indicators and the design of basic trading strategies by allowing price, volume, and indicator change tracking. The CFD support is exceptionally strong, allowing the trader to define his/her own risk profile and match it to the broker through whom they transact.

I found Seismo’s filtering ability extremely appealing. Even an experienced trader finds it difficult to track changes across multiple instruments and markets. Seismo allows the trader to define their trading rules and then search for all instruments that have passed or failed these trading rules. Multiple rules can be designed, stored, and accessed through a single mouse click, making market review and decision-making extremely easy.

In my view Seismo is an ideal package for beginner- to medium-experience level equities traders. I would advise these traders to trade through brokers that use Seismo, too. This will make communication between the two straightforward, allowing the broker to provide trading advice by phone.

The training offered with Seismo is essential, in my opinion, and should be undertaken by any trader who wishes to trade equities or CFDs. I recommend it strongly, because it provides a short yet comprehensive course in charting, strategy review and trading application with an introduction to indicators and trading signals. It will reduce the time required to read the signals with confidence, and the potential losses due to lack of charting experience.

Seismo is an excellent product, which I would recommend to any equities or CFD trader, particularly newcomers to share trading.

Seismo Response

Seismo has developed a total solution to assist traders, investors and market professionals achieve consistent returns and manage risk – in all market conditions.

Seismo systems are used and recommended by stockbrokers from some of the world’s largest investment banks. Seismo’s powerful market scanning and new CFD tools are highly regarded by share market professionals and traders of all levels.

Seismo provides an intuitive and integrated approach to software, data, training, brokers and CFD providers – at a fraction of the ongoing cost of older packages and seminar based training courses.

This total Seismo solution is designed to get traders and investors up and running quickly without the need for expensive and time consuming training courses. We provide in-depth telephone installation support and ongoing training for all clients. This saves months of difficult, costly and unnecessary experimentation, which is often required with older, more complex, systems.

Seismo>ShareChart does not currently allow users to code their own scanning or indicator criteria. Our research shows that less than five per cent of traders world wide request these features and few have the necessary IT skills or desire to program the coding languages required. (Back testing will be added as a future upgrade.)

Seismo’s powerful ‘point and click’ market scans provide fast, accurate and reliable results without the need to program.

Seismo has an enviable 87 per cent plus annual client renewal rate and we are committed to the ongoing success of our clients while encouraging maximum trading and investment independence for all.

This article was originally published in the Sep/Oct 07 issue of YourTradingEdge magazine (www.YTEmagazine.com). All rights reserved. © Copyright 2009, MarketSource International Pty Ltd.

3 Comments to Seismo Review

1. Some believe network trade shows are more profitable.
wanda46 on November 13th, 2008

2. I’ve been reading along for a while now. I just wanted to drop you a comment to say keep up the good work.
Sue Massey on November 13th, 2008

3. Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.

   Allen Taylor
Allen Taylor on November 13th, 2008

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