“CPI has gained market share even in declining corners of the industry”

CPI brought its latest SCR Note Recycler to ICE. How was the public feedback?
As expected, SCR generated a lot of interest at ICE. It has been performing impressively in multiple field trials and will soon be released to the European AWP market, beginning with Germany. We were constantly running demonstrations for both existing and potential customers.

The MEI SCR is a two-denomination note recycler that utilizes the same reliable acceptor head as SC Advance and the same recycling mechanics hardened with other products from the MEI brand – the 4-denomination BNR (Bank Note Recycler) and 1-denomination VNR (Vending Note Recycler).

In electronic gaming machines (EGMs) that traditionally pay jackpots in coins, SCR virtually eliminates hopper starvation by paying out notes by using the same notes it accepts from previous transactions (including the 50) to dispense as winnings. As a result, SCR requires less maintenance and can run for longer periods of time, lowering the overall cost of operation.

SCR also offers an unprecedented level of security to the market – its architecture has been fortified with several innovative features designed to minimize cash exposure on the recyclers and provide complete note accountability, even in a powered down state.

Given the high demand for SCR already, we’ve actually had to increase our production capacity prior to launch. Operators in non-TITO environments are excited to finally have a note recycling solution that is both practical and performance-driven.

What other highlights did you showcase?

CPI offers the most comprehensive portfolio of payment systems and cash management solutions in the gaming industry. To emphasize this, we presented a broad range of products – coin hoppers and acceptors, note acceptors and recyclers, cash management software, integration tools and even our cashless technology.

In addition to the SCR note acceptor, EASITRAX Web drew a large number of visitors to our booth. EASITRAX Web is a value-added extension of the standard EASITRAX Soft Count package. It was released in the second half of 2013 and has since gained traction with operators on all six major continents.

Like EASITRAX Soft Count, EASITRAX Web leverages SC note acceptors to drive cash management efficiencies from the slot floor to the back room. The data it collects from the SC acceptor head can still be used to streamline the drop process, facilitate asset evaluations and conduct preventative maintenance programs. EASITRAX Web simply makes it easier to import that data, and convert it into reports (which can now be customized), from anywhere in the world with secure intranet access. These additional efficiencies further strengthen the payback associated with CPI.

Operators are looking for ways to utilize data to their advantage. EASITRAX helps them do that. Now, it is rare that a new casino opens without the functionality it provides.

What did you think of the 2015 edition of ICE?

Our performance at ICE this year was really a landmark moment for CPI – signifying the successful completion of our consolidation phase. Last year, the two former sides of our business, Crane and MEI, were still exhibiting separately. Now, we’ve achieved stability and unity as a single entity – an accomplishment underscored not only by our booth this year but also by the continued growth of our product portfolio with the SCR note recycler. We are very pleased that this generated so much attention and positive feedback at the show. In fact, I don’t remember a year at ICE when either the Crane or MEI booth was as busy. This year was a tremendous success for us.

What are the plans for the company in 2015, in order to strengthen its presence on the main markets in which it currently operates, and what new markets do you expect to incorporate this year? 

Throughout 2015, CPI will continue searching for ways to make our customers more profitable. Our focus on products, alongside our continued commitment to invest in research and development, will yield newfound value and efficiencies for operators in a variety different market segments and geographies – including those that are new and emerging. In addition to launching the SCR note recycler in Europe, we have a number of new product developments underway that will again redefine expectations for payment systems worldwide.

How do you see the gaming industry today? What changes would you implement to make this industry more efficient?

The gaming industry has always embraced the power of superior technology to drive progress. There is no reason to believe that will change. Though the economy remains challenging, an increasing number of operators continue to make value-based investment decisions to maximize capital – with the focus being on profitability and customer satisfaction in an increasingly competitive business environment. For this reason, CPI has gained market share even in declining corners of the industry. We now have more than 1.5 million SC note acceptors in the field, of which more than 150,000 are installed with EASITRAX Soft Count. This reflects the importance operators place on products that address their needs and clearly establish value.