Inside Asian Gaming

January 2015 inside asian gaming 39 even at our level, the component level, there is consolidation. And we’ve seen that with some of our customers on the BV [bill validator] side, and we’re seeing that now even with us.” Though best-known in the gaming world for its iVIZION bill validator, JCM did previously have a thermal printer in its product range, the PayCheck 4, from printer manufacturer Nanoptix, which JCM has been distributing as a JCM product. Following JCM’s initial investment in Nanoptix in 2011 (JCM would go on to increase its investment in Nanoptix in 2012, acquiring a 49% stake), the PayCheck 4 Thermal Printer was rebranded, marketed and sold as a JCM product, and sales increased thanks to JCM’s superior distribution network. Going forward, JCM will continue through its network to support the PayCheck 4 as well as FutureLogic’s products. The integration of FutureLogic is expected to proceed smoothly. “We look at this deal as fitting perfectly. The customer base is the same and we have complementary products,” says Mr Mishra. “From the Asia standpoint, we look at the positive synergies we can provide customers because our offices don’t have a lot of overlap. Additionally, we bring a lot of regional support to help on both sides. “For example, we’re local in Singapore now because [FutureLogic] have an office in Singapore. They have a sales person there. And they get to take advantage of our network, including offices in China and Taiwan, as well as the headquarters in Tokyo and Osaka. When you look at the regional offices we really are adding to what was probably already in JCM the most comprehensive support structure in Asia [for gaming peripherals].” There could also be meaningful synergies on the R&D front, though those will come later. “Right now, the development paths [of JCM and FutureLogic] will continue separately, but over time there’ll be a common development path,” says Mr Mishra. “Printers and BVs are totally different technologies, so those will continue to be separate for the time being. But linking the two devices has a lot of potential, and we really have to be able to show that we can sell two products, and how we can bring out greater value in both products by having two product lines.” Tech Talk JCM has already committed significant resources towards realizing greater value from its core products. The iVIZION, released in 2012, was designed to be the “foundation of intelligent validation,” incorporating bundled enhancement tools, called Dynamic Network Applications, that give the iVIZION the potential to expand to be more than just a highly advanced bill validator. The company says, “DNA provides real- time health and event monitoring of all peripheral components used inside EGMs, on table games or inside redemption kiosks, utilizing either a wired or wireless connection to a local server. Peripherals that DNA can monitor are practically limitless and include bill validators, ticket printers, card readers, digital displays and coin acceptors. “DNA passively monitors the SAS line, provides diagnostics, analytics and value- added features that can all be managed through DNA’s user-friendly mobile dashboard. The dashboard was specifically designed for platform flexibility and can easily be used on a PC, a tablet or a mobile phone. Additionally, DNA gives flexibility of information the user chooses to use/see for reports, etc.” Mr Mishra adds, “DNA really helps bring out the value in the peripherals. For example, it can predictively and in real time tell the customers, based on how many notes a BV has taken in, whether there’s any service or maintenance required. It’s an advanced warning system, and also an advanced reporting system. But that’s just the first “DNA is designed to be flexible to work with any peripheral in there. As we expand the printer line to Nanoptix and also to FutureLogic, we bring in a lot of that functionality in there as well. So we can really link up BVs, printers and bring additional value to the customers.”