Bally releases Microsoft Windows version of gaming's slot management and accounting system

With submission to gaming regulators this month and a planned, general availability in the spring of 2009, Bally Systems SDS Version 11.0 will deliver flexibility, easy maintainability, internationalization, and horizontal and vertical scalability that will make systems administration easier for any size of casino operation.

Built for the global marketplace, the highly configurable Bally Systems SDS Version 11.0 features intuitive user navigation support for multiple currencies and languages. Running on both UNIX and Windows software platforms, this significantly upgraded, Java-based solution features a single code base that supports multiple hardware platforms and databases, including Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and DB2 ’ making SDS the industry’s first true open system product, allowing casino operators true flexibility and choice.

“Our new SDS Version 11.0 provides Bally with a competitive and scalable Microsoft Windows-powered slot management system with a modern scalable architecture to provide a world-class solution for casinos that prefer a Windows-based software platform,” said Tom Doyle, Bally Technologies’ VP of Product Management for Bally Systems.

“By offering a Windows-based solution, Bally’s customers will benefit from using a familiar, easy-to-use, and widely supported platform that can seamlessly integrate with their existing Windows-based systems and maintain flexibility to grow with their changing business needs,” said Sandra Andrews, Hospitality Industry Solutions Director for Microsoft Corp.

“Bally has also adopted the Windows Presentation Foundation and Silverlight in other products that seamlessly integrate with SDS to create a more visually appealing and enhanced user experience,” Doyle added.

SDS Version 11.0 also features standard systems monitoring options and open standards protocol support. It is adaptive, backward compatible, and ties into Bally’s Networked Floor of the Future’. This version comes integrated with the Bally Integration Gateway ’ another open tool that supports multiple hardware platforms and databases, including Windows and UNIX ’ designed to help with interoperability of various systems application products across manufacturers.

“By using the new Bally Integration Gateway, SDS Version 11.0 serves to communicate messages with other systems in multiple communication protocols in the spirit of Gaming Standards Association (GSA) open standards,” Doyle added.

“The best solutions for the hospitality and gaming industry are ones that integrate innovative technology and connected experiences to drive better business insights, streamline operations, and enable an enhanced guest experience,” Andrews said. “The new Bally Systems Version 11.0 with enhanced support for the Microsoft platform will help operators make better decisions faster so they can spend less time focused on the technology and more time focused on delivering services that increase player loyalty and repeat guest visits.”

With thousands of slot machines online at casinos worldwide, Bally’s SDS continues to be the choice of some of the world’s largest gaming operators, including Barona Resort & Casino, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Harrah’s Entertainment, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Pechanga Resort Casino, Trump Entertainment, and Viejas Casino.

SDS is an integrated information system that continually monitors slot machines, other gaming devices and customer gaming activity. SDS fully supports Bally Power Bonusing’, an award-winning suite of superior gaming products, including Bally Power Rewards’, Bally Power Promotions’, Bally Power Bank’, Bally Power Coupon’, Bally Power Sweepstakes’ and Bally Power Winners’.