LAS VEGAS, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —
– Open Standards-Based Device Provides Low Cost Solution for Legacy and Mixed Vendor Casinos
International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) today announced it is offering an open standards-based video adaptor as a safe add-on to slot machines that allows operators to deliver rich media across their floor. The IGT Universal Game Adaptor enables any game manufacturer to certify and support Service Window functionality on their slot machines while preserving the games’ behavior and integrity.
This device greatly impacts legacy, non-game-to-system (G2S) machines and systems, providing the most cost effective way to offer casino-wide promotions, side games and loyalty programs. The Universal Game Adaptor is available today for IGT video slot machines.
The Universal Game Adaptor solution does not involve any unauthorized reconfiguration or rewiring of the original design of the machine. This critical feature creates a clear distinction between IGT’s solution and other options currently offered in the industry. By ensuring the game manufacturer offers their own firmware and certification, casino customers benefit with a picture-in-picture video solution across their floors that is supportable by its original manufacturer.
The Universal Game Adaptor can be sold to IGT’s Advantage customers by IGT or the original EGM manufacturer. The suggested retail price is $500 per slot machine. To complete the solution and provide service window functionality to any UGA enabled slot machine, IGT will provide its System Adaptor to its customers at an initial price of $495 per machine. This brings the initial combined suggested price for Service Window functionality to a market leading $995 per slot machine.
The UGA solution was announced this morning as IGT welcomed nearly 400 attendees to the annual Systems Global Users Conference at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. IGT President and Chief Executive Officer Patti Hart kicked off the event with a personal welcome, followed by remarks from Richard Yim, vice president of Systems Products.
“The 2011 Users Conference has been designed with our customers’ needs at the epicenter of every conversation,” said Yim. “A conference like this is about so much more than showcasing our latest products. It’s about listening to our customers, and providing them the tools they need to maximize their business and enhance the player experience. Through strategic discussions, we’ll learn about what our customers expect from the industry’s leader in technology.”
“Today, we are excited to unveil a new solution that allows our existing IGT Advantage® customers to experience ubiquitous Service Window functionality without having to upgrade their entire floor,” explained Yim. “We continue to provide the industry-leading, GSA-compliant G2S Ethernet floor. This announcement today recognizes our customer’s request for a lower cost floorwide Service Window capability with an evolutionary path to a G2S floor. Together with our partners, this represents an alternate path for our customers. It’s just one more way IGT is truly leading the way with systems solutions.”
This annual conference will host attendees from more than 125 casino properties from around the world. Users Conference guests will participate in relevant training sessions, users forums and product demos, further enhancing their alignment with an outstanding systems provider such as IGT. They’ll also have the opportunity to connect with their peers, learning about other IGT systems successes around the world.
“Our sbX™ server-based experience applications have gained tremendous momentum among operators worldwide. Large to small, more than 50 properties in 10 countries have partnered with IGT for our proven sbX™ solution,” said Yim. “For example one of our longest sbX™ customers, FireKeepers Casino in Michigan, sees maximized results because of the bolstered player experience sbX™ provides. I am energized to be at the conference this year and listen to how our customers are capitalizing on this technology.”
As the opening day of the Users Conference continues, customer relationship management trailblazer Don Peppers is the keynote speaker during lunch. As one of the world’s leading authorities on what it takes to gain and keep customers, Peppers’ session will focus on driving relationships with customers in today’s global environment while trying to maintain a competitive edge in their respective marketplaces. Learn more from Don Peppers on IGT’s YouTube channel.
Day one of the Users Conference will conclude with a provocative keynote session with IGT Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Research and Development Chris Satchell. His keynote, “Differentiated, Connected, Distributed – The Future of Casino Systems,” will include a discussion on increasing the need for connected floors to drive differentiated, incremental value for the operator as well as the player. Satchell also will highlight the need for new network distribution models, and discuss the benefits they provide to the industry.
B.J. Fogg, Ph.D. joins the conference for a keynote session to open the second day of the conference on Thursday, June 30. Trained as an experimental psychologist, and named one of the “10 New Gurus You Should Know” by Fortune magazine, Fogg will offer attendees a unique perspective on using technology and social media to enhance player enjoyment.
In addition to the general sessions, the Users Conference will offer a variety of engaging and practical breakout sessions designed to help attendees boost product performance and enhance customer satisfaction. Breakout sessions will focus on Player Marketing, Casino IT, Casino Operations: What’s New, Casinolink: What’s New, sbX™ Implementation and Technical Training.
Visit http://www.IGT.com/UsersConference for more information on this year’s event.
