FDC3 Adoption, OpenFin Migration, and Linking Transformation
The client is a leading financial data platform used by over 190,000 professionals across 40,000 institutions globally. The platform delivers real-time market data, analytics, and news, supporting trading, portfolio management, and compliance workflows. It underpins trading volumes across major asset classes including equities, FX and fixed income, derivatives and its infrastructure processes 7.3 million price updates per second for over 90 million instruments.
The platform relied on a proprietary, closed system for linking and context-sharing between desktop applications.
It worked, which is precisely why it persisted, but it created constraints:
At the same time, the organisation was investing in a broader shift toward an OpenFin-based workspace environment requiring a practical path from legacy linking to a more open, standards-based approach.
RocketFin was engaged to support the transition toward a more coherent, interoperable desktop environment without disrupting the existing platform. The focus was not to replace systems, but to make them work together more effectively.
Key objectives included:
Introduce and embed the FDC3 standard for cross-application interoperability
Support migration from legacy linking models to a simplified, standards-based approach
Enable interoperability across both OpenFin and non-OpenFin environments
Contribute to the evolution of the OpenFin Workspace ecosystem
Lay the groundwork for third-party application integration and new commercial models
Action
RocketFin worked as part of the client’s existing engineering and product organisation, aligning to established delivery practices rather than replacing them.
Interoperability & Linking Transformation
Designed and implemented a new FDC3-based linking framework to replace fragmented legacy mechanisms
Simplified and standardised how applications share context across the desktop
Built the infrastructure required to migrate users from legacy linking to the new model (rollout expected in phases)
Cross-Platform Integration (“The Glue”)
Developed translation layers to enable communication between applications built over many years, using different data structures and messaging formats
Enabled consistent workflows across heterogeneous environments, including browser-based and desktop applications
OpenFin & Workspace Evolution
Supported the integration and interoperability of applications within the OpenFin workspace environment
Enabled connectivity between internal platforms and external OpenFin-based ecosystems
Contributed to early adoption of FDC3 Intents, allowing more flexible, workflow-driven interactions between applications
Pragmatic Delivery Approach
Worked within the client’s Agile delivery model, contributing to and aligning across multiple teams
Leveraged existing CI/CD and engineering practices rather than introducing new frameworks
Delivered incrementally, with early validation through prototypes and stakeholder demos
UI & Workflow Contributions
Contributed to the evolution of shared UI behaviours and interaction patterns within the platform’s existing design system
Focused on how workflows behave, rather than redesigning interfaces
The engagement established the foundations for a more open, interoperable workspace without requiring a disruptive rebuild.
Key outcomes include:
• FDC3-based interoperability layer in place
A consistent, standards-based approach to linking and context-sharing across applications
• Reduced complexity in desktop workflows
Simplified linking behaviour and more predictable user interactions
• Cross-platform interoperability enabled
Applications can now participate in shared workflows regardless of how or when they were built
• OpenFin ecosystem readiness
Infrastructure in place to support broader adoption of OpenFin Workspace and external integrations
• Path to user migration defined
Transition from legacy linking to the new model underway, with phased rollout expected
• New commercial flexibility unlocked
Improved interoperability enables more modular product packaging and third-party integration
By standardising how applications talk to each other, the client can now evolve the workspace without constantly working around its own architecture.
By standardising how applications talk to each other, the client can now evolve the workspace without constantly working around its own architecture.
"“RocketFin helped us modernise our desktop architecture with FDC3 and OpenFin—unlocking interoperability, reducing platform lock-in, and giving our teams the flexibility to innovate faster.” "— Head of Desktop Engineering
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