I will be starting a new .Net project shortly for a hedge fund client of ours, the client currently is using Microsoft technologies and so it makes sense for them to build their new system using the .Net technology stack. WinForms will be used for the User Interface, making use of the Infragistics control suite, specifically the excellent grid control. We will be using SQLServer 2000 as the back end database, and there is a possibility, later that we will be looking to implement a lightweight message bus to provide disconnected components. The system will support the following core areas, Risk Management, Market Risk, P&L and Pricing.
The main challenge at the moment is setting up a development environment, and a deployment model that can support both .Net development and continue to support legacy Excel spreadsheets. We will be using CruiseControl.Net along with CVS, NANT, NUNIT, MBUNIT to provide the initial development environment.
Later on in the project we will be looking to provide a distributed environment, possibly using Alchemi .NET