Book excerpt: Advancements in data technology are critical to the future of the capital markets and will be a vital contributor to growth in the economy as a whole. Historically, innovations in IT have improved crisis resolution mechanisms and driven significant increases in global productivity. Effective capital and financial risk management now requires that information flows no longer be handled independently in business unit silos; they must be unified for use in front, middle and back offices and to aid compliance with internal controls and regulatory demands. Drawing on their individual and corporate experience at the leading edge of IT developments, three of Sybase's senior IT executives offer a lucid analysis of IT needs in the rapidly changing capital markets. They show how innovative IT capabilities and architectures can strengthen risk management and establish a foundation for new and sustained capital markets growth. Book jacket.