I desperately need an alternative for IBs horrific Webtrader. I was hoping that I can find or build an Excel trading platform. Something simple that will let me enter orders from work. Or will it be blocked like the Java based platform when it tries to transmit information?
Yup. If TWS is blocked then you're screwed and just be thankful they're not blocking WebTrader too. I'm in exactly the same situation at my work. I hate it but there's nothing I can do except bring in a laptop with a Verizon data card. I'm not sure how they'd feel about that so I stick with WebTrader. As a side note, I noticed that Oanda's fxTrade, which is a Java app same as IB's TWS, runs fine at my work. It was the same at my previous employer as well: TWS couldn't connect but fxTrade worked fine.