Transcript No Slide Title

Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Industry Recognition
 Jan 5, 2007: Game-to-System (G2S) protocol won first place
at the 4th Gaming & Technology Awards of 2006 and was
named “Best Productivity-Enhancement Technology”
 Jan 22, 2007: G2S won Silver award from International
Gaming & Wagering Business magazine’s “Top Three
International Gaming Products” for 2006.
Selected by a panel of independent international judges on the basis of
“innovation, efficiency, ease of use, end-user value,
adaptation/integration, long-term value and revenue potential.”
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Our Mission
The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) Is An International
Trade Association That Creates Benefits For Gaming
Manufacturers, Suppliers, Operators And Regulators.
GSA Facilitates The Identification, Definition, Development,
Promotion, And Implementation Of Open Standards To Enable
Innovation, Education, And Communication For The Benefit Of
The Entire Industry
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Our Platinum Members
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Membership
Market Driven
80
76
Members
70
Other GSA
Members
60
78%
70
72
59
Gold
50
Silver
40
38
35
37
Others
30
Total
22
20
10
Operators
22%
Platinum
8
0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Year
Technology Driven
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Value Proposition
Visibility
 Standards enable data communication on three levels – GDS, G2S, S2S and
provide 360º visibility of patron behaviors, playing habit, game preferences,
dining, hospitality, entertainment activities…
Portability
 More choices, simpler repeatable solutions
 High quality consistent data, consistent, shared
 Exit option
Investment Protection
 Open standards are more robust
 Smooth migration path…adapt to meet business needs / trends
 Increased speed to market…enjoy market momentum
Increased ROI
 Increase revenues by 360º visibility on customer data
 Decrease costs by using more effective and efficient tools to manage, analyze
and evaluate productivity and profitability of operations
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Standards Scorecard
19
16
15
13
10
9
Participation
Adoption
Implementation
G2S
S2S
As of 01/06/2007
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Good Things Happen When We All Pull Together
GSA / HTNG Operator’s Forum
The G2S Advantage
January 31, 2007
Agenda
 EGMs Evolve with GSA’s G2S Protocol
 New Concepts Introduced with G2S
 Access New Information with G2S
 Download vs. Configuration – what are they really?
 General Discussion
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Current EGM Status with SAS
Accounting
Offices
Server
Room
Accounting
SAS
Proprietary
Proprietary
SMIB
Slot Floor
Management
Server
CMS
Data Mining
Applications
Duplicate
Database
Proprietary
`
Data Collection
Jan 31, 2007
SMIB resides in the
EGM Cabinet
Database
Server
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Current EGM Status with SAS
 SAS and one or more proprietary protocols are
needed to get data from the EGM to the Slot System
 All slot floor information is filtered through the Slot
System
 The duplicate database does not provide direct or
real time information
 Each system’s database has unique data structure
and access methods
 One monolithic Slot System for all functions
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Co-existence with Existing Slot Floor Apps
Ethernet
G2S
G2S
EGM Configuration
Application
Proprietary
Protocol
SAS
SMIB
Slot Floor
Management
Server
Jan 31, 2007
[SMIB resides in the
EGM Cabinet ]
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Server Assisted Gaming – Part 1
 First Step - remotely configuring EGMs with G2S
 If G2S is only used for configuration, a second
connection to the EGM is needed
 You can start with any area of the gaming floor –
one bank or area to start
 Start with a wireless network, if desired, to minimize
infrastructure costs
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Server Assisted Gaming – Part 1
 Using G2S, one configuration workstation can
configure any manufacturer’s games
 Basic G2S commands can change active games,
denominations, enable or disable the EGM, etc.
 Make changes from your desk or via a schedule (no
more trips to every EGM)
 Change one, several, or all G2S EGMs - resulting in
a much more flexible slot floor
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Moving from Configuration to Download
 G2S Download is used to move new content to the
gaming floor
 Use G2S to control which modules are downloaded,
just like configuring the EGMs
 Then use configuration commands to activate the
modules
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
G2S Impacts the CMS and Accounting Systems
 Operators can now add and subtract services, rather
than replacing the system to get a new feature
 Services are business functions such as EGM
configuration, voucher servers, slot analysis
applications, etc.
 Vendors can now compete on software applications
 G2S allows open access to the data locked inside
your EGMs
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Example – Slot Analysis
 Discover which themes / paytables are most popular
 Which denominations are most popular when?
 Make changes remotely, then use this data for
impact analysis
 gamePlay device meters include all performance
meters for each theme/paytable combination in the
EGM
 Class meters accumulate the totals for the EGM
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Historic Approach to Adding Functionality
Slot Floor System
Jan 31, 2007
Vouchers
Bonusing
Player Media Server
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
G2S (Web Services) Approach
Slot Floor System
Jan 31, 2007
Config Server Code Download
Vouchers
Media
PlayerServer
Bonuses
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
G2S Promotes Innovation
 Any authorized server can directly access any
EGM’s data
 Servers are authorized by the System Administrator
 Each EGM has a registered host list
 All communications use SSL – same as for business
transactions on the Internet
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
G2S Promotes Innovation
 G2S allows any server that speaks the protocol and
is authorized by the Operator, to participate in the
slot floor network
 Event and Meter subscriptions allow a host to
subscribe to specific information
 Operators can “try out” new products to see if they
like them
 Products can compete using the same data – e.g.
two data mining packages can be connected to the
network at the same time.
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
SAS Problems Fade Away
What causes SAS implementation problems?
 Polling requires responses at inconvenient times
 Responses must meet strict timing requirements
 Implied acknowledgement of messages
 Multiple interpretations of the SAS protocol make
interoperability testing a requirement
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
SAS Problems Fade Away
Why is G2S better?
 G2S is made to be easily extended to accomodate
new features and functions
 G2S is an event driven protocol – the EGM (or
system) acknowledges immediately, and then replies
as soon as it is able
 G2S uses proven Internet technology such as
TCP/IP and Web Services, and is designed for
reliability in a high traffic network
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
G2S Certification – Planned at the Start
 The G2S Certification program is designed to
minimize interoperability problems
 With Certification testing, there is only one correct
interpretation of the protocol for all EGMs and
Systems
 Feedback loop from Operators will ensure the
Certification program remains viable (and relevant)
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Why Move to G2S?
 Capabilities such as EGM configuration and
Download become available
 Better access to the data on the floor
 SSL encryption on all communications from the
EGM to the back of house severs
 More flexible back of house configuration – modular
system blocks that can be swapped in and out
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Why Move to G2S?
 Real network protocol proven to provide reliable
communications in high traffic, multiple host
environments
 Standard, off the shelf, proven network equipment
 Certification program will be responsive to Operators
 Fearless Installs – when EGMs correctly
communicate to host systems when they are
installed on the floor
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
EGMs Evolve with GSA’s G2S Protocol
Questions?
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Accessing the New Information
Owner and Guest Hosts
 A host is a software application
 A host can be on a stand-alone server or one of
several applications on a larger server
 Individual hosts are separated to make their function
clear – they do not have to be on an individual box
 Within each EGM is a list of Registered Hosts – the
only ones they will talk to
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Lots of New Information is Available
 Owner Hosts control devices, change their settings,
and generally cause things to happen on an EGM
(write access)
 Guest Hosts can’t control devices; but they can read
information within the EGM’s data model (read-only
access)
 The Owner and Configuration host for each device
is configured in the EGM (manually or via the
commConfig class in G2S)
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Some Things an Owner Can Do
 A host that “owns” the device has write access to
that device – it has COMMAND and CONTROL
authority
 Cabinet – disable EGM, Money In, Money Out,
Game Play
 Currency Devices – Control which denoms are
active, disable the device
 Game Play Devices – Enable / disable, change
active denominations
 Player – Send messages, set point calculations,
change hot player levels, double points, etc.
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Lots of New Information is Available
 There is no protocol limit to the number of Hosts that
may be exist on a network, but an EGM may have a
limit based on its resources
 An application can reside anywhere, as long as it
can connect to the network and speak the G2S
protocol
 There may need to be some “regulatory
adjustments” needed in order for non licensed
manufacturers to connect servers to the slot network
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Can Any Host Do G2S?
Can anyone put a host or guest host on the system?
 No – A host must be specifically authorized by the
system administrator
 No – The host must be added to the registered host
list in the EGMs to which it will be talking
 No – A host must have a security certificate to set up
the SSL encryption.
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Lots of New Information is Available
G2S
Surveillance
Coin
Acceptor
Slot Director
Coin
Hopper
Note
Acceptor
Game
Control
Printer
Casino Host
Touch
Screen
IT
EGM
Jan 31, 2007
Marketing
Guest Hosts
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Meters and Events
Accessing Meter Information
G2S Provides 4 ways to get meter information
1. End of Day Meters – Each host can specify a set of
meters to be sent once a day at a specified time
2. Periodic Meters – Each host can specify a set of
meters to be sent on a fixed interval (e.g. every 10
minutes).
3. With events – Each host can subscribe to events
and have the Meters associated with that event
included in the message
4. On demand – Any meters can be directly requested
by any G2S application
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Types of Meters
 Device Meters – Records the activity for an
individual device
 Class Meters – Records LTD activity for the EGM
 Currency Meters – Provide a breakdown by
currency for currency devices
 Wager Category – Bets by Wager Category
 Game Denom – Wager activity for each
denomination within a gamePlay device
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
More on Meters
 G2S mandates that all meters are updated before
being reported through G2S
 Meter updates always balance
 All activity that occurs within the EGM is available
through G2S meter reporting
 Events affecting meters can include the affected
meters
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Event Subscriptions
What is an event?
 Events describe almost everything that happens on
and to an EGM – cabinet door open, service light
on, game started, player card inserted, etc.
 Event subscriptions allow a host to indicate the
events in which it is interested
 A host can also request that certain affected data be
included with the event
 Class or Device Meters
 Transaction Log record
 Device Status information
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Event Subscriptions
 The G2S protocol is comprised of 24 classes
 All G2S Classes have events – Handpay Class,
Bonus Class, Progressive Class, etc.
 Event subscriptions result in the requested
information being sent directly to a specific host,
whenever the event occurs
 A host can always change its subscriptions
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Event Subscriptions
1. Ask the EGM for a list of events it supports
2. Set your event subscription with associated data
3. Sit back and wait for the events to start rolling in
Having a standard protocol, data model, and transport
make it easy to develop killer applications…
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Examples of Events
Some Player Class Events
 G2S_PRE100 Session Started
 G2S_PRE101 Interval Rating
 G2S_PRE102 Hot Player Threshold Reached
 G2S_PRE103 Session Ended
 G2S_PRE108 Player Override Set
 G2S_PRE109 Player Override Activated
 G2S_PRE110 Base Countdown Activated
 G2S_PRE111 Player Carryover Set
 G2S_PRE112 Player Point Balance Set
 G2S_PRE113 Host Points Set
 G2S_PRE114 Session Updated
 G2S_PRE115 Un-Carded Hot Player Level 0
 G2S_PRE116 Un-Carded Hot Player Level 1
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Examples of Events
 G2S_CAE109 Coins Accepted
 G2S_CAE107 Drop Door Opened
 G2S_NAE114 Note Stacked
 G2S_NAE112 Stacker Door Opened





G2S_GPE103 Primary Game Started
G2S_GPE105 Primary Game Ended
G2S_GPE110 Secondary Game Ended
G2S_GPE111 Game Result
G2S_GPE112 Game Ended
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
A Little Bit About the Network
No Traffic Jams on the Information Highway
100 Million bps (initial floor
communication speed)
8 Million bps (Hi speed DSL)
19 thousand bps (current floors (SAS))
.
Network Backbone = 1 Billion bps
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
No Traffic Jams on the Information Highway
 New Network infrastructure
 1 Gbps backbone
 100 Mbps to every EGM
 Staff must transition from slot machine mechanics to
network configuration and management
 Slots + IT = Success
 Don’t go cheap - like a computer, your network can’t
be too fast
 Can implement gradually, but your slot floor
management system must get on board soon...
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Co-existence with Existing Slot Floor Apps
Ethernet
G2S
G2S
EGM Configuration
Application
Proprietary
Protocol
SAS
SMIB
Slot Floor
Management
Server
Jan 31, 2007
[SMIB resides in the
EGM Cabinet ]
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Download vs.
EGM Configuration
What Are We Talking About
 Software Download – Ability to transfer software from a
content server in the Casino Server Room to an EGM on the
floor, directed by a single Download Management terminal in
the Slot Management Offices
 EGM Configuration – The ability to remotely configure the
EGM, including active game content that is available to
patrons (game theme, denomination and paytable), by
enabling and disabling software stored on the EGM from a
Central Management Terminal
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
An Overview of the G2S Download Process
Future S2S communications
SMP
What packages do you have?
System
Management
Point
(owner)
Here’s a package catalog
text
text
text
Subscribe to relevant events
Receive relevant events
Give me (or take)
this package
Ev
Go
ge ents
t th
&
ow
Ot is p
ne
he ac
rc
r o ka
om
wn ge,
m
er ac
co t o a n d
s
mm n
an this
d s sc
rip
t
Authorizing
Server(s)
text
Download
Content
text
text
Servers
Standard File
Transfer Protocol
Hdr
Payload
Packages are
transferred via this link.
Can contain command
files that control install
process for stuff in the
package.
1) Grab needed data snapshots
2) Authorize download
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Why Download?
 Download NEW software to the EGM.
 Remove or replace software due to operational or
regulatory concerns
 Can also download new game themes
 Manufacturers can remotely update the Game
Content Server(s)
 New themes available automatically for trial or immediate
placement on Casino floor
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Why Download?
 Automatic peripheral software update
 Update note acceptors remotely
 Download new printer templates
 Can manage downloads to occur automatically
during slow periods
 Automatic queuing – no need to shut banks down for
software upgrade
 New programs can be downloaded at night for later
activation
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Why Download?
 Goal for software download
 Provide complete control of the software content on the
floor from a central location
 Know what is on the floor in all EGMS all the time
 Agile floor configuration can rapidly adapt to any changes
in an operator’s business
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Download Liabilities
 Standalone EGMs have different requirements for
Software Download
 A Management System must provide software
coordination between EGMs and the content server
 Software downloaded must be verified as being
complete and authentic for multiple manufacturers
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Challenges Facing Download
 New Solutions are needed
 Content Servers
 System Management Point (SMP)
 Firewalls for remote Content Server update
 Peripheral equipment needs to be upgraded
 Regulatory Approval is not trivial
 Regulations do not exist in some jurisdictions
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Why Remote Configuration?
 Select from any game currently configured on the
EGM (enable / disable)
 Indistinguishable from Download in most situations
 No delays for software download – G2S remote
configuration provides virtually immediate changes
 Can change as a result of patron input provided
software currently exists on the EGM
 Software pricing is more defined
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Why Remote Configuration?
 All software is already on the Casino floor
 Most machines can be upgraded to be Remote
Configuration capable
 More defined regulatory approval
 Remote configuration systems already approved in some
jurisdictions
 With G2S, all EGMs speak the same language, can
all be configured via simple commands
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Challenges of Remote Configuration




Cannot automatically put new software on the floor.
Cannot remotely update software library
Cannot remove revoked software from the floor
Change of software confined to software already on
the EGM
 Cannot upgrade peripheral devices
 Still need a high speed network
However, this is a nice first step!
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Next Steps
Current Realities
 Novomatic adds G2S and demos at ICE, joining
WMS and IGT in IGT’s SBG demo – changing
theme and denomination on a schedule
 Atronic demonstrates Option Configuration at G2E
and ICE, changing language, sound volumes,
denominations, and game themes
 Labs will start certifying G2S in March
 Several other EGM and system vendors are pushing
towards G2S
 International interest in G2S is very strong
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
What to Do




Conduct strategic planning sessions
Start planning for new casino floor infrastructure
Have a party for Slots + IT + Marketing
Figure out how to offer new features before your
competitors
 Plan to minimize disruptions on your floor while
adding this new capabilities
 Department disruption will be greater than TITO
 JOIN GSA, get involved. The hard (intense
technical) part is done. Now is certification and
implementation planning.
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
An Easier Strategy
 Do nothing
 Go to trade shows once or twice a year – make sure
there are plenty of parties and golf outings
 Read an occasional trade magazine
 Be surprised when your customers start going to
other properties
 React violently without advance planning
 Good News – you still have about 2 years of peace

Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
The Ending Note
For on-going questions or inquires on protocols,
please contact
[email protected]
Marc McDermott ([email protected])
Russ Ristine ([email protected])
This presentation is available on GSA’s Website:
www.gamingstandards.com
[Now is the perfect time for questions and comments]
Jan 31, 2007
Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage