Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms and apparatus providing a low-latency trading platform and/or communications system wherein one or more remote client devices communicate with a proxy server via a first communications channel, the proxy server being tightly coupled to (co-located and directly communicating with) a programmable hardware platform configured to communicate with an equities exchange system via a second communications channel, the location of the proxy server and hardware platform being proximate that of at least one equities exchange system, wherein the proxy server is updated by client device communications defining trade execution profiles associated with each of a plurality of equities and corresponding trading strategies, and wherein the hardware platform executes equity trades in response to substantially real time data received from the equities exchange. Various embodiments provide a mechanism for automatically provisioning the communications system in accordance with an Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS) offering from a provider of network services.