Client Goldman Sachs, a leading global banking and securities firm, provides a full range of investing, advisory, and financing services worldwide to a substantial and diversified client base. Developments in the financial world around the globe are frequent and rapid. These developments are reflected in the activities of the Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Division (FICC) at Goldman Sachs. Challenge In September of 2000, the FICC Division of Goldman Sachs was investigating ways in which to grow its existing C++ message system to accommodate internal Java bond applications. This custom-designed messaging system routes millions of trades daily to multiple Goldman Sachs bond exchanges - speed, accuracy and reliability are key factors to competing in this volatile trading market. Given the rising push within Goldman for the utilization of Java as well as to allow the division to capitalize on the many benefits offered by the language, such as increased functionality and quick development cycles, the FICC Division determined that it must rebuild and update its existing C++ messaging system in Java. Solution WebCritical sent a project management and development team to Goldman Sach's New York office and created a combined WebCritical /Goldman Sachs team focused on the task of rebuilding the FICC message backbone in Java as well as updating the existing C++ system to provide maximum support and flexibility to Goldman Sach's world-wide financial exchanges. This unified team created a new Java API, updated the existing C++ system, documented the new design and processes, and trained existing Goldman Sachs personnel on how to use the upgraded system. Key objectives considered in the architecture of this new system were performance, design, and maintenance. Results The Java API was designed and developed within four months, with the updated C++ implementation following closely behind. This new Java API and updated C++ system has allowed Goldman Sachs to integrate C++ and Java bond trading applications creating a more robust and flexible system. With the help of WebCritical's management and technical expertise, the system is now being used as the primary message backbone across more than five divisions within Goldman Sachs.