The Kontron Industrial Silent Server (KISS) family has a new, high-performance member that brings the density and processing power of data processing centers to industrial applications: the Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 with Intel quad-core processors is one of the most compact, robust, quietest and fastest high-availability industrial servers for densely packed long-lifecycle applications.

The new Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 industrial server packs scalable performance up to the Intel Core2 Quad processor Q9300 with 4 x 2.5 GHz as well as 8 Gigabytes of DDR2 dual-channel RAM into an industrial server with an installation height of just 44 mm. This makes the Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 the perfect fit for densely packed real-time embedded multi-processing applications; such as industrial test and measurement with simultaneous data collection and evaluation; control and visualization of imaging technologies in medical and industrial applications; as well as for the broad field of simulation technology and applications that require parallel processing of several video and/or audio streams. Security applications suitable for the Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 also require reliable, space-saving server cluster solutions for video surveillance with automatic image recognition/face recognition in facilities management, public areas and subway/railway stations as well as mission-critical solutions, such as railroad control centers.

In addition to outstanding performance, the Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 industrial server comes with built-in Intel Active Management Technology (Intel AMT) 3.0 remote management engine that offers enhanced security and remote management for easier maintenance, higher system availability and, therefore, reduced total costs of ownership. Remotely carrying out tasks such as installing a new OS, or setting BIOS parameters without the need for additional remote management hardware, or an on-site presence is of particular benefit for applications with densely populated server racks where the individual servers are difficult to reach. When using the Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 companies with centralized administration and maintenance teams can also take advantage of Intel’s Active Management Technology. 

The Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 industrial server offers a wide range of interfaces for flexible customization. For applications that need the dedicated processing power of high-end 3D GPUs, there is an optional PEG interface. The Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 also offers an optional 1 x PCI Express x 4 slot, as well as 2 x PCI 32 Bit slots, 6 x USB 2.0, 2 x Gbit Ethernet, 1x VGA and 2 serial ports. In addition to its shock and vibration protected internal 3.5” HDD, the Kontron KISS-1U server has enough space to accommodate another 3.5“ HDD or 2 x 2.5“ HDDs, also shock and vibration protected. The optional KISS Stor Slim RAID 1 sub-system provides enhanced data safety via 2 x 2.5” HDDs in a single, hot swappable carrier. State-of-the-art system security is provided by Intel Trusted Execution Technology and an on-board trusted platform module – TPM 1.2 – for software and data protection. The Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 PSU with a controlled fan has optional 24 V DC and 48 V DC for direct connection to industrial power grids.

With a MTBF of 50,000 hours (approx. 5.7 years of continuous operation) the extremely robust and shock resistant Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 industrial server systems ensure high availability and minimum maintenance and operate reliably in temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the temperature-controlled and ultra quiet fans are hot swappable for easier servicing. The Kontron KISS systems come with either a desktop housing or a housing for mounting in a 19 inch cabinet. OEM custom designs are also available upon request. The front panel, which is lockable, offers IP2x protection and optional IP5x. Designed for continuous operation, the KISS systems are CE certified and UL suitable.

The high-availability Kontron KISS 1U PCI-760 server supports Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 200x Server and Vista and is available as a preconfigured standard system or can be customized as needed and delivered as a tested and independently certified solution.

The EMEA and APAC manufactured KISS 1U PCI-760 systems are available now. North America manufactured KISS 1U PCI-760 systems are expected to be available in Q1 09.

Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH (AGI), the wholly owned subsidiary of the Novomatic Holding, will be showing a great range of all star products for the international markets at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) – booth no. 2156 – in Las Vegas.

This year’s great gaming round-up in Las Vegas will be held from 18th to 20th November 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. As in previous years Novomatic plans to take centre stage with a comprehensive display of top products and innovations.

Visitors to Novomatic’s G2E booth no. 2156 are sure to be enthralled by the latest Coolfire™ II game releases in leading technology cabinets. With an extensive range of new exciting Coolfire™ II single games and multi-game mixes AGI have solutions to enhance any gaming floor and grab the attention of casino guests.  Games such as Rich Witch™, Sissi – Empress of Austria™ or the innovative Luxury Express™ will be presented for the first time at G2E. Further enhacements of AGI’s comprehensice games library include amongst many others classics such as Just Jewels™, Dolphin’s Pearl™, Lucky Lady’s Charm™ and Book of Ra™ as new Coolfire™ II deluxe releases as well as the gripping Rapid Bingo™.

A special cabinet highlight will certainly be AGI’s enhanced Novo-Vision™ Slant Top I featuring a 22” bottom touchscreen and a 27” top screen as well as the innovative “flip-screen feature” and second start button at the foot rest for ultimate player comfort and relaxed gaming fun.

Visitors to G2E will also have the opportunity to experience the great gaming thrill and impressive sight of a comprehensive Flexi Link multi-level mystery progressive jackpot installation featuring 12 Super-V+ Gaminator® multi-game machines complete with Powerlink™ display and a huge Samba Nights™ jackpot sign towering above the group.

A large team of specialists from the company’s commercial and technical departments will be on hand to fully support customers with expert advice and detailed product information. Jens Halle and AGI’s entire G2E-team will be happy to welcome visitors, customers and business partners in Las Vegas!

Casino Bad Homburg now specifies the MEI CASHFLOW SC83 banknote reader on slot machine purchases. The renowned German casino made the decision after the results of a successful value-added trial (VAT) that ran several months on a number of slot machines.

“The positive market feedback regarding the MEI CASHFLOW SC83 set high expectations,” said Mr. Armin Weldner, Casino Bad Homburg slot manager.  “Not only were our expectations fulfilled by the VAT, they were surpassed. We now specify MEI on all future slot machine purchases. “We need to spend as much time as we can focusing on the customer. The MEI banknote readers allow us to do just that.  Having a reliable bill validator saves us precious time that was previous spent on maintenance.”

MEI and game operators use a VAT to define the length of the comparison and the measurements that will ultimately lead to a complete evaluation. Bill validators can then be compared on key performance measurements, such as “cash in the box”, acceptance rate, jam performance and ease of use.

“We are thrilled that the success we have enjoyed with VATs in Europe has reached Germany,” said Mr. Mark Greenawalt, director of MEI Gaming in Europe and Africa.  “The recognition of the value associated with the CASHFLOW SC is a tremendous source of pride for all of us at MEI.  It makes it all the more special that a casino with the history of Bad Homburg was the first to specify MEI in Germany. We would like to thank Bad Homburg casino management for investing in the VAT and, ultimately, MEI.”

CashCode, now exhibiting under it’s parent company’s moniker of Crane Payment Solutions,  the manufacturer of bill validators and currency handling devices for countries worldwide is launching its next generation FrontLoad validator at this year’s G2E show Booth 2010.  The product named CashCode oneTM clearly articulates one of its key value propositions; to deliver innovative payment solutions that improve the customer experience while reducing Total Cost of Ownership.

In the past, OEMs and Operators had to inventory and support various models and parts for various countries into which they sold their machines. Some countries required different power interfaces (12v/24v), as well as unique models depending and the width of currency being validated. CashCode has removed all the variances out. With oneTM, one model will handle any of the supported protocols, interfaces, currencies, etc.  This newest solution is truly unique in the industry and will definitely reduce OEM and Operator logistical costs.

What started at the World of Games gaming show of 2006 in Moscow with a vivid display of counterfeit Novomatic gaming machines being crushed by a Caterpillar, and found its continuation last year in Bucharest, has become an international crusade against copying piracy led by the Austrian Novomatic gaming group: with concrete results in Russia.

Product piracy and copyright infringement are prevalent at the international trade shows of
the gaming industry, especially so in Eastern Europe. All major OEMs are increasingly and adversely afflicted by the problem. Product piracy and the infringement of intellectual property rights have never before been practiced so impertinently and publicly as in recent times. Counterfeit machines are often publicly presented on neighbouring exhibition stands right beside the original product, component parts and cabinets offered on diverse websites and the game software and concepts either stolen or badly copied.

Successful measures
Two years ago the Novomatic Group of Companies started an unique campaign against this international intellectual property piracy and has since persisted in its efforts to prosecute the svengali of these criminal activities. Basic condition for a successful battle was the registry of industrial property rights in the form of trademarks, patents or designs, in order to be able to effectively enforce such claims. This is the strategy that Novomatic has been consequently implementing in recent years.

No ‚Safe Haven‘ for pirates
In the meantime this policy has indeed brought clear results. The latest success in the prosecution of copyright infringement was achieved in close cooperation between Novomatic, international law firms and local police authorities.

In spring 2008 the operator of a factory in the Russian capital Moscow who had specialized in the manufacture of counterfeit Gaminator® gaming machines was convicted. Forged components were acquired from various sources, assembled, the machines tagged with fake documents and serial plates and sold to Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, the Baltic countries and former Yugoslavia. With 30 employees and a monthly production volume of up to 200 machines the convicted company, Safe Games LLC, had generated considerable turnover and inflicted an equally high economic loss on the original equipment manufacturer Novomatic, which was claimed in the course of the action.

Considering the bad health of the accused entrepreneur, the court sentenced her leniantly to a monetary penalty as well as a probation period of two years of imprisonment. All seized machines and components were destroyed.

A new crime dimension
The biggest coup against product piracy was accomplished by the Russian authorities at the end of September in Kazan, capital city of the Constituent Republic of Tatarstan. Investigators were quite astonished when they discovered a complete factory in the biggest raid yet against product piracy. In the course of the top-secret operation special forces stormed the production halls and immediately confiscated the seized gaming equipment. At the offices a frightened employee was forced to open the safe in front of the officers – which produced large quantities of cash and business documents. With monthly production capacities of up to 2,500 machines the factory presents a completely new dimension of product piracy in the international gaming industry.
 
As is the case for many legitimate gaming equipment manufacturers, the employment of technical means to prevent one-to-one copying of Novomatic software has resulted in most pirate offerings attempting to "look" like the originals, however with different software and mathematics so that the pirate copies do not "feel" like the originals - detracting from the player's overall experience. To add insult to injury, it is not uncommon to find pirate copy products that do not offer players a fair chance of winning. Nothing could be more harmful to an industry that remains highly dependant on its public image and reputation. Intellectual property piracy amounts to nothing other than the theft of ideas. There can simply be no justification or rationalization for the illegitimate actions of those individuals and companies that undertake product piracy.
The investigation results in Russia prove the paramount importance of the continuing fight against product piracy in the gaming industry. These results also demonstrate, to what extent the consistent protection of intellectual property and the effective cooperation with the local investigating authorities put the screws on product piracy.