BRIEF TRANSMISSIONS

Hardware to convert crawling tickers on Financial News Network video broadcast into PC-readable data will be offered by Fairfield, IA-based Cablesoft, formerly Blokker and Assoc. "All the stock information you need is right there," says spokesperson. "If you digitize that image and use pattern recognition you can actually get that information for free." Decoder expansion board for IBM-PC would have input for cable coax and automatically tune to FNN signal. Cablesoft also plans memory-resident quote software to collect data in background, flag user when limits are hit. Software price tag is expected to be about $250.

Commodity Quote Graphics, Inc., Glenwood Springs, CO, has unveiled "System I" -- first IBM-PC execution of CQG software. CQG also offers first implementation of "Market Profile" trading system being promoted by Chicago Board of Trade.

Brokerage Communications, Inc. of Somonauk, IL, has unveiled satellite-delivered commodity quote service using C-band technology. "Trademaster" system costs $80/month for quote feed, plus exchange fees. Hardware requirements are IBM-PC with 640K RAM, two-meter or larger satellite video system, and $395 data decoder. Color is required for graphics. Satellite technology is identical to that used by Satellite Data Network, competitive C-band service (MTR, March 1986).

Several quote vendors have emerged as contenders for two FM sideband "radio teletext" channels being opened in London by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (MTR, July 1986). Telemet U.K. Ltd. and Reuters Ltd. have applied directly, while Telerate and International (nee London) Stock Exchange are participating through third parties.

Bunker Ramo acquisition received scant attention in 1986 ADP annual report, but ADP officials didn't overlook opportunity to note net purchase price (MTR, September 1986). "Certain operations of the acquired business were disposed of subsequent to the acquisition, which when combined with anticipated proceeds from expected tax benefits and additional asset sales will result in a net cost of the acquisition to the Company of less than $40,000,000," says report. 1986 proxy shows ADP chairman Josh Weston receiving $437,634 in cash compensation, while financial services chief Ric Duques earned $265,373.

Recent "stick to the knitting" moves at Merrill Lynch -- like retreat from real estate and consolidation of Biotech stake (below) -- raise questions about future of its role in Imnet. Option might be sale of part of Merrill's 50 per cent share to another large brokerage firm. Move would serve three purposes: (1) reduce Merrill's role in ancillary business, (2) add second major customer for Imnet, and (3) ease other firms' fears of dealing with vendor controlled by single competitor. Prospective candidate might be Painewebber, Inc., which hasn't settled on next-generation technology, is testing Imnet branch system, and lacks entanglements with corporate parents.

E.F. Hutton & Co. has signed $20 million, two-year deal with NCR for 10,000 AT-compatible broker workstations. NCR calls machine "3390," but at Hutton branches it will be called "AWE" -- Advanced Workstation for the Executive. AWE will displace Bunker Ramo quote terminal now used by Hutton, and will provide connection to firm's branch automation system.

Merrill Lynch & Co. has consolidated ownership interest in Data Broadcasting Corp. and other ventures through acquisition of major stake in Biotech Capital Corp. Merrill owned 40 per cent of Data Broadcasting directly and another stake indirectly through its 9.9 per cent ownership of Financial News Network, Inc. (MTR, December 1985) Biotech and Merrill have co-invested in these and other firms and now Merrill is consolidating its position by becoming Biotech's largest shareholder. Merrill will receive 1.06 million shares of Biotech stock in exchange for 500,000 shares of FNN and all of its stock in DBC and another venture. Separately, DBC is rumored to be arranging alternative satellite delivery channels to free it from dependence on FNN for distribution.

Moving Around: Dick Cowles, executive vice president at Telerate Systems, Inc. will shift to consultant status on November 1st and move to Santa Fe....Peter Byrne, vice chairman, Instinet Corp., resigns....Dean Mack, president and chief executive officer, Equatorial Communications Co., resigns, replaced by vice president Ed Parker on temporary basis....Charles Digate promoted to senior vice president, Lotus Development Corp., with responsibility for information services and international divisions; henceforth, information services vice president and general manager Don McLagan reports to Digate instead of Lotus president Jim Manzi.