Jan 31, 2007Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage. Jan 31, 2007Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage...
-
Upload
daniella-ball -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
0
Transcript of Jan 31, 2007Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage. Jan 31, 2007Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage...
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
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
8
22
3835 37
59
7670 72
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Year
Mem
ber
s
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Others
Total
Membership
Other GSA Members
78%
Operators22%
Technology Driven
Market Driven
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Value PropositionVisibility
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
109
1615
13
G2S S2S
Participation
Adoption
Implementation
As of 01/06/2007
Good Things Happen When We All Pull Together
GSA / HTNG Operator’s Forum
The G2S Advantage
January 31, 2007
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
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
Agenda
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
Current EGM Status with SAS
Data Collection
Accounting Offices
Server Room
SMIB resides in the EGM Cabinet
SASProprietary
Duplicate Database
Data Mining Applications
DatabaseServer
Accounting
SMIB
`
Slot Floor Management
Server
CMS
Proprietary
Proprietary
Jan 31, 2007 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
[SMIB resides in the EGM Cabinet ]
SASProprietary Protocol
SMIB
Slot Floor Management
Server
EGM ConfigurationApplication
Ethernet
G2S
G2S
Jan 31, 2007 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
Vouchers
Bonusing
Player Media Server
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
G2S (Web Services) Approach
Slot Floor System
Code Download
Vouchers Media Server
Config Server Player Bonuses
Jan 31, 2007 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?
Accessing the New Information
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
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
GameControl
Casino Host
Marketing
Surveillance
Slot Director
G2SCoin
Acceptor
CoinHopper
NoteAcceptor
Printer
TouchScreen
EGM Guest Hosts
IT
Meters and Events
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
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 time2. 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 eventClass or Device MetersTransaction Log recordDevice 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 EventsSome 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
A Little Bit About the Network
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
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 backbone100 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
[SMIB resides in the EGM Cabinet ]
SASProprietary Protocol
SMIB
Slot Floor Management
Server
EGM ConfigurationApplication
Ethernet
G2S
G2S
Download vs. EGM Configuration
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
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
SMPSystem
Management Point
(owner)
texttext
text
Authorizing Server(s)
texttext
text
Download Content Servers
2) Authorize download
1) Grab needed data snapshots
Receive relevant events
Subscribe to relevant events
Go get this package, act on this script
Other owner commands
Events & owner commands
Give
me (or take)
this packag
e
What packages do you have?
Here’s a package catalog
Future S2S communications
Standard File Transfer Protocol
PayloadHdr
Packages are transferred via this link. Can contain command files that control install process for stuff in the
package.
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 concernsCan 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 updateUpdate note acceptors remotelyDownload new printer templates
Can manage downloads to occur automatically during slow periods Automatic queuing – no need to shut banks down for
software upgradeNew 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 neededContent ServersSystem Management Point (SMP) Firewalls for remote Content Server update
Peripheral equipment needs to be upgraded
Regulatory Approval is not trivialRegulations 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 approvalRemote 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!
Next Steps
Jan 31, 2007 Operators Forum - The G2S Advantage
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
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]