Yep, this is the prop trading "model". It insures you can never go automated with your trading. Order entry with one data stream and charts with a separate data stream/feed....not an ideal set-up IMHO. I just interviewed with a Hold Bros satellite office....same thing. Graybox for order entry and ESignal for charting. And Graybox has some real issues....like no warnings for stupid order qualifier mistakes. Like for instance, enter a stop order away from the market and if it's tagged as IOC, it will just silently cancel your order. Very primitive IMHO.
Uh...what you meant was: 1) custom programmable indicators are the best way to go 2) tick charts are great because they reflect activity. (Note: Ticks correlate to time-and-sales, no need for both) 3) order flow can be very deceptive....be careful using it for more than a few milliseconds into a trade.