NEWS
IGT moves management software into the cloud
The big objective: relieving casinos of IT chores
International Game Technology (IGT) is beginning to move its game software and casino management tools to a cloud computing platform, effectively relieving operators of much of the overhead associated with running their own IT departments. The IGT Cloud programme, launched at an investors’ conference in New
York, will be offered to land-based, mobile and online operators. Already IGT Floor Manager, used for management of the game library, and sbX Analytics, employed for reporting, have migrated to the new platform. “Utilising the IGT Cloud will let casino operators focus on what is
important to them: players, games and performance,” said Chris Satchell, the firm’s Chief Technology Officer.
The essence of cloud computing is that data that was previously stored on the in-house network, and the software applications that were run on it, now have their home in an external hosting facility managed by another company – a cloud provider – and accessed via the Internet. The cloud provider, in this case IGT, takes full responsibility for maintaining and upgrading the IT infrastructure; data storage, computer processing power and so on are typically available to user companies, in this case casino operators, on a “pay as you go” basis.
Users include Gala Coral and Olympic Casinos
One of the principal benefits of this
approach, which is gaining favour in countless businesses, is that the user company does not have to permanently bear the cost of owning sufficient IT infrastructure to deal with peaks in demand. In effect, they simply rent from the cloud provider whatever IT services they need at any particular time, giving cloud computing its alternative name of “software as a service” (usually abbreviated SaaS). They are also spared much IT management overhead. Upgrades to
software, for example, “just happen” without the user company having to become involved at all. One concern with cloud computing that will be of particular importance to casino operators, however, is security. By its nature it requires that data is moved off-site and possibly even
offshore, which may alarm regulators. IGT’s long experience of, and trusted status in, the casino sector is therefore likely to give it an edge over non-specialist cloud providers.
Early users of the IGT Cloud include Gala Coral, Olympic Casinos, Evian Casino and Coderé. “We are seeing the benefits of using IGT sbX to expand the player experience.” said Mark Sergeant, Managing Director of Gala Casinos. “With the IGT Cloud, we will be able to efficiently accelerate the expansion of the sbX benefits to our properties and players.” “Understanding and analysing game performance has been key to optimising our floor yield at Evian Casino,” said Eric Perrin, General Manager there. “The increased reporting functionality and data aggregation available via the IGT Cloud will provide additional ways to maximise the ability to increase revenues and make strategic business decisions.”
IGT worked with CA Technologies, formerly known as Computer Associates and one of the world’s biggest software companies, on the new system. “Our turnkey CA AppLogic cloud platform will be instrumental in helping IGT to quickly move its advanced casino software to cloud-based delivery,” said Roger Pilc, General Manager for Virtualisation and Automation at CA.
INBRIEF
PRINTING PACT EC Development is to sell TransAct’s Epicentral couponing system for real-time printing on slot floors. Meanwhile, TransAct is working with Walker Digital Table Systems on integrating that firm’s networked table games system, Perfect Pay, with Epicentral.
STANDARD PROCEDURE Regulators in the Australian state of Victoria and in Ohio are using systems based on Gaming Standards Association (GSA) standards to monitor a total of 45,000 gaming devices. Other recent adoptions of GSA standards include a requirement by state regulators in Missouri that all slots comply with its GAT 3.5.
LEAPING AHEAD JCM Global’s PayCheck 4 thermal printer is now integrated into Leap Forward Gaming’s Saffari Net system.
LONDON CALLING More than 30,000 people visited the Aspers Casino in London’s newly-opened Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in its first three days.
GOING DANISH Jensigame, the supplier of gaming terminals, has established a new European headquarters in Copenhagen.
SPORTING CHANCE Cantor Gaming is to operate the sportsbook and race betting, and also offer mobile gaming, at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
LICENSING DEALS Spielo International USA has renewed its contract with Endemol as exclusive user of the Deal or No Deal brand in land-based gaming. Separately, American Gaming System has signed an exclusive North American licensing agreement with Ripley Entertainment that will see it develop casino games based on the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! brand.
SINGAPORE SWING Third-quarter operating profits at Resorts World Sentosa rose 8.3% year-on-year to $375.3m. Its owner, Genting Singapore, attributed the revenue increase partly to a “favourable win percentage”.
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