Toronto, ON - November 2, 2004 – NRT Technology Corporation is featured in the October 2004 edition of Casino Journal. An excerpt of the article follows.
Setting the standards
By Andy Holtmann
S2S and GDS
The S2S (System to System) protocol plays off BOB (Best of Breed), allowing multiple gaming systems to exchange information. This includes slot accounting systems, security systems, advertising displays, progressive controllers, kiosks and player tracking devices.
"These management systems are not easily linked and therefore often do not allow the casino a 'full view' of their gaming operations and 'real time' patron activities," DeRaedt said. "Further, if the casino operates a hotel, information between the hospitality and casino operations is only available if the casino has developed their own system linking the casino management system to the hospitality and POS management systems. The System to System standard provides a communication protocol that enables the casino to link their various casino database systems, while also providing a link to their hospitality/POS systems."
Like BOB, S2S relies on PC-based technology like TCP/IP and XML.
"Using S2S, any system on the gaming floor can talk to any other system, including nongaming systems like point of sale," said Solomon, who's company recently spent $1.8 million to put NRT Technology Corp. kiosks running on the S2S protocol at all 16 Mandalay properties.
The Gaming Device standards, meanwhile, allow gaming machines to connect to peripheral devices like bill validators, ticket printers and touch screens via a universal language.
"It is based on the very popular industry standard USB. It will significantly simplify engineering for EGM manufacturers whilst offering additional features to the system providers such as code download, enhanced remote diagnostics, etc.," said DeRaedt.
Like BOB and S2S, the Gaming Device Standards will help reduce engineering time and costs, and manufacturers will not have to develop proprietary protocols and spend time on drivers and code to make their systems communicate with existing protocols.
The GDS protocol is also expected to reduce barriers to new companies entering the gaming market.
Since 1993, NRT has been creating a line of products, services, and support that are second to none. Industry-leading products for transaction processing, cash dispensing, machine monitoring, accounting, security, and maintenance capabilities enable operators to accurately analyze performance and accountability.
