[minimax]

It wasn't Microsoft providing the software. It was software running on Windows. The actual software was an in-house developed matching engine called Tradelect. LSE eventually switched away to a 3rd party matching engine with their acquisition of MilleniumIT.

[RyanZAG]

True, but Microsoft had a big role in it.

"The new technology platform has been developed using the Microsoft .NET Framework, with support from Microsoft and Accenture, and marks the final phase of the Exchange's four-year Technology Road Map project. "[1]

I was also told that there were Microsoft engineers on site doing training and review through the project. Either way, my point is that building a trading platform is extremely difficult even with top talent and enormous investment.

[1] http://www.onwindows.com/Articles/LSE-TradElect-system-goes-...

[minimax]

Good points. The only other Windows based matching engine I know of is Direct Edge in the US, and I think even they are going to switch over using BATS' Linux-based matching engine once the BATS-DE merger completes.