Introducing S2S: GSA

1
Introducing S2SGSAs System to System
Protocol Russ Ristine, VP, Radical Blue Gaming
2
What is GSA?

• The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) is an
  international trade association that benefits
  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.

3
System to System (S2S) Protocol
S2S
Voucher Manager
Kiosks
G2S
GDS
CoinAcceptor
S2S
Player Tracking
CoinHopper
Point ofSale
GameControl
S2S
NoteAcceptor
Slot Accounting
Coin/BillCounters
Printer
S2S
TouchScreen
Class IIServers
Progressive
S2S
EGM
Host Systems and other S2S devices
4
Current Challenges

• Changing a system related device is a major
  architecture project
• Does current vendor support the new POS system
• How long will it take to get a new interface
  built?
• What if I dont like the new product, how do I go
  back to the old one?
• Consider a kiosk replacement (ticketing,
  marketing)
• Alternately, a new POS system (Casino System,
  accounting system, hotel system)

5
Current Challenges

• How easy is it to get information moved into your
  in-house systems for analysis?
• What if you could go to a gaming show, see a
  product, and have it in your casino the following
  week?
• Wouldnt it be nice to have the diagnostic info
  captured by each note acceptors available at your
  desk?

6
Benefits of S2S

• Standardizes communication between servers
• A new vendor only has to write one interface to
  get into the market, vs. 4 to 6 that they have to
  do now
• Casinos benefit from new innovations
• Vendors Benefit from reduced complexity
• (More time for new features)
• Supports plug and play for systems and
  peripheral devices
• Try out a new product
• If you dont like it, return it!

7
Benefits of S2S

• S2S is developed with GDS and G2S, so back end
  servers can interact with note acceptors
• Innovation Note Acceptor Vendors can now do
  something completely different
• Retrieve diagnostic information
• Distribute new software electronically
• Standardization promotes portability,
  interoperability and reusability
• Vendors can write one interface and use it
  everywhere
• Reduces testing (and problems in the field)

8
The Seminole StoryGSA Moving at the Speed of
Business
9
Seminole Tribe - 2002
10
S2S and Class II

• In a Class II environment, each manufacturer has
  their own server for central determination and
  other game functions
• The Problem Four game manufacturers means
• Four separate accounting reports,
• Four player tracking feeds, and
• Three voucher systems
• Vouchers are only redeemable on same
  manufacturers games
• What about the cashier booth? (four redemption
  terminals)

11
Seminole Tribe - Vision
12
Seminole Tribe - Today
13
S2S and Class II - the solution

• EGMs still talk proprietary protocol to their
  host servers to minimize scope of change
• Each host server now talks S2S to a central
  consolidation server, which provides
• One accounting report
• All vouchers are processed through a central
  database
• All systems communicate using common protocols
• Happier casino management!
• Since the switch to S2S, theyre ready for the
  future

14
Future Solution with G2S

• EGMs talk to host server for game outcome
  (proprietary or G2S)
• EGMs talk directly to central server for
  accounting and vouchers (G2S)
• EGMs talk directly to player tracking system for
  player activity (G2S)
• S2S or G2S doesnt matter as long as the pain is
  gone

15
G2S Solution
16
S2S Digging a Little Deeper
17
General S2S Classes

• Communications
• Web services SSL
• Messages to start and maintain a conversation
• Configuration - Share configuration information
• Patron Class
• Move Patron information between hosts
• Register Client - Used to communicate info on
  devices other than EGMs
• Info Update - Communicate information changes,
  other than for EGMs (employee, tables, kiosks,
  etc.)

18
S2S Classes for Table Games

• Open / Close - Table Chip Inventory transactions
• Fill / Credit - Move chips to/from gaming tables
• Marker - Patron Credit and Front Money messages
• Player Rating - Rating transactions for table
  games
• Jackpot - communicate jackpot info between
  systems
• Comp Class - process player complimentaries

19
S2S Classes for EGM activity

• EGM Registration - share slot info between
  systems
• Events - notify central systems when events occur
• Accounting Meters - centralize accounting
• Vouchers - all systems use a central voucher
  system
• WAT - messages to process Wagering Account
  Transfers between systems
• Player - move slot player messages between
  systems
• Handpay class - Attendant paid wins, etc.

20
S2S Update

• S2S Version 1.2 recently released
• Incorporates all changes requested by existing
  systems
• Currently servers are using S2S 1.1.5, 1.1.10,
  with extensions 1.2 brings everyone together
• New ATM kiosk apps are implementing S2S as a
  single communication method
• S2S 1.2 simulators and development tools are
  available
• Four S2S 1.2 Central System Vendors by Q1 2007

21
GSA Certification
22
GSA Certification

• GSA compliance independent testing by 3rd party
  lab using GSA certified tools and pre-defined
  test scripts
• GSA Compliance testing is NOT Regulatory Approval
• All parties benefit through
• Improved speed to market for products
• Products work together when they show up on your
  floor
• Plug and Play (easier installs, reduced service
  calls)

23
GSA Certification

• Protocol certification streamlines the regulatory
  process
• Reduces the quantity and variety of tests that
  must be performed
• If both devices are certified, they should work
  together the first time they are connected (like
  your PC and printer)

24
GSAs New Certification Program

• Goal Correct and consistent implementation of
  GSAs standards
• Formal process for the testing and certification
  of
• Gaming Products
• Testing Agencies
• Test Suites
• Products passing certification will be published
  in the Certification Register on GSAs web site

25
Testing Centers

• Interoperability Centers will be available for
  manufacturers
• Test Authority (Open Group) will certify Test
  Suites and Testing Agencies
• Test Suites will be commercially available to
  anyone
• Like UL testing, GSA testing can be done in any
  certified Test Agency
• Test Labs
• Casinos
• Manufacturers

26
S2S Certification

• S2S testing will be part of the GSA certification
  suite
• GSA Standards provide a secure, reliable, and
  documented way for systems to communicate with
  each other
• Certified Test Labs ensure that the protocols
  have been properly implemented
• Goal
• Certified Systems
• Certified Kiosks
• Certified System Peripherals

27
Plug and Play Goal for Systems

• Quick recap
• Systems move from proprietary solutions to
  standard communications
• Vendors spend less time maintaining protocols
• Single Protocol Much easier to test
• Operator doesnt have to wait for their version
  to get modified
• Easy to try a new peripheral (kiosk, currency
  counter, POS system)

28
Additional Benefits of a Standard

• With a single standard, third party tools become
  viable
• Test Suites - Ensure the protocol has been
  properly implemented
• Latency Testers - Automatically check response
  time every X minutes, send an e-mail if theres a
  problem
• Regression Testers - retest everything every time
  theres a build
• Available to Manufacturers, Test Labs, or
  Operators

29
When can I get S2S?

• S2S release 1.2 has been completed
• Simulators are available (and are being used by
  several development teams)
• Certification planning and definition are in
  progress
• Encourage your vendors to move to S2S to give
  everyone more flexibility in the future
• Exciting times are ahead!

30
The Ending Note

• For on-going questions or inquires on protocols,
  please contact
• info_at_gamingstandards.com
• This presentation is available on GSAs Website
• www.gamingstandards.com

Now is the perfect time for questions or
comments