As an innovative company in its field that MMW has been watching closely and with much optimism about the role it will play across the tech landscape, we were elated to have an opportunity to chat with Ian about the company and where it’s heading.

MMW:  Tell us about Zytronic – where it started, where it is today, and its vision for the future?

Ian:        Zytronic’s origins go all the way back to 1943.

In the beginning, we specialized in cut and laminated glass components for industrial applications.

After the company had its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2000, Zytronic increasingly focused on the development and manufacture of its range of interactive touch sensor products, based upon its unique and patented projected capacitive technologies, optimized for self-service and unattended applications. These include slot machines and other types of interactive automated systems used in the gaming and leisure markets, e.g. video lottery terminals and amusement games.

MMW: How has a mobile-first generation influenced your company?

Ian:        The mass adoption of consumer touchscreen devices, such as phones and tablets, has developed alongside the growing mobile-first generation. Touch interactivity is a form of technology that consumers are familiar and comfortable with, and it’s driven the wider adoption of touchscreen technology in commercial applications.

Advances in consumer touchscreen products are very quickly requested in commercial products and It drives our R&D to push the boundaries of what is possible with projected capacitive touch technology. From ‘Force Sensing’ to ‘Object Recognition’ touch control firmware, or from curved to ultra-narrow-border glass touchscreen designs, we’re striving to stay ahead of the trends, and satisfy the demands of the mobile-first generation, whatever the application or user environment.

MMW: Do you develop touch surfaces for any size and device?

Ian:        Zytronic manufactures touch sensors in any size and design imaginable from as small as 5 inches across to greater than 90 inches diagonally for large-format commercial applications such as gaming, financial, retail, digital signage, industrial and medical systems.

The technology is suited for low to mid-volume custom applications for the self-service and unattended commercial and industrial markets.

MMW:  Who should use Zytronic and why?

Ian:        Zytronic technology is a perfect fit for public access, self-service and industrial equipment designers and end-users, in market areas such as financial, retail, leisure, digital signage, industrial, medical and more.

With over half a century of glass-processing know-how, Zytronic is uniquely positioned within the field. We have comprehensive in-house manufacturing facilities that we are constantly investing in to improve our products and fabrication capabilities.

Zytronic touch products are not standard off-the-shelf products; rather, each order is tailored and custom built to suit each specific application. We can create unique touchscreens in a near limitless range of shapes and sizes to fit any display, and incorporate features such as curved glass, cut and drilled holes or slots, custom printed borders and logos in almost any color imaginable, and at any quantity required.

Zytronic’s projected capacitive touch technology has proven its unparalleled ability to work reliably in the most demanding environments and applications – from supervised indoor to unattended outdoor installations. Working in some of the most demanding environments, the touch sensors are unaffected by dirt, water, dust and scratches on the surface, and are capable of withstanding incredible levels of abuse – accidental or malicious.

We also design our own touch controllers and have invested millions of dollars in their development. Having this complete ownership of the technology means we can fully support customers’ projects from start to finish.

MMW: Where is your technology now, where is it being used?

Ian:        Zytronic’s technology is being used in various applications all over the world, for example:

Eindhoven, Netherlands – Citybeacon

Zytronic worked closely with OCP Solutions, developers of public outdoor communication products, on a smart-city initiative called Citybeacon. This project blends state-of-the-art connectivity with intuitive touchscreens, enabling visitors and residents to access relevant information about the city and local businesses, and experience their surroundings.

The system also incorporates NFC, RFID and Bluetooth-based payment and mobile hand-off technologies, so users can take advantage of local services such as parking and carry information to and from the kiosk. Microphone and camera-enabled full VOIP communication connects with emergency services, and free Gigabit WiFi and small cell 4G and 5G-ready antennas improve coverage and connection for the sharing of information. A free mobile app is also included allowing users to carry the Citybeacon experience with them.

The Citybeacon features a 32” ZYFILM-based touch display. The rollable ZYFILM is a flexible, polyester touch film incorporating patented multitouch technology, and is designed to be laminated to the rear surface of a rigid transparent substrate. Once applied, it can detect up to 40 simultaneous touch points through an overlay of 10mm thick or more.

Washington DC, USA – The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian

Through Ideum, Zytronic supplied an 84” diagonal touch sensor to the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution (NASM) for inclusion in a recently unveiled exhibit.

Zytronic was heavily involved in the design process, and was able to produce the single, custom design 84” touch sensor without any of the upcharges that often accompany custom work from other touchscreen manufacturers. The ZyBrid® touch sensor was designed using 6mm-thick thermally toughened Anti-Glare etched glass, providing a combination of smooth ‘finger glide’ interactivity and impact resistance, and the Ideum table was manufactured in powder coated aluminum for additional durability.

Turkey – Hyundai car dealerships

A Hyundai car dealer network in Turkey has moved to a digital dealership model, following the installation of 43” diagonal touch tables created by Nerotouch, using custom designed 40-point multi touch MPCT Projected Capacitive Technology touch sensors supplied by Zytronic.

Using the tables, the sales team can configure a car for the customer and present them with the finished result. Hyundai assessed several different touch technologies, but selected Zytronic’s ZYBRID multi touch sensors on the recommendation of Nerotouch.

The post Exclusive: MMW Touches on the Future of Touch Technology with Zytronic appeared first on Mobile Marketing Watch.

With over 450 exhibitors showcasing new gaming products, services and the latest in technologies; we’ll see everything from slot machines, VR, skill-based gambling machines, tournament solutions, iGaming, and so much more.  There will also be industry experts speaking on a variety of trending topics relevant to the gaming world, bringing new and emerging business opportunities to the forefront of the industry.

Earlier this month, MMW had the chance to speak with some industry leaders on what they want to get out of attending G2E this year.  Here is what they had to say: 

MMW:  At G2E this year, what are you looking to accomplish or expecting to take away from the conference?

Comment by Michael Carpenter, CEO at Ruby Seven Studios Inc.

Michael:  For me, G2E brings an efficient way to see the newest R&D (research & development) efforts of the game manufacturers and to see the trends in new content. We license a lot of content from real money game designers, whether that is the indie developers that provide games to IGT and Bally’s or with companies like Konami and Everi that we have direct relationships with.

At the last G2E we actually met with the team from Inspired Gaming, who are a world leader in the field of virtual sports. That meeting helped solidify a content agreement for our social casinos.

Comment by Seth Schorr, Chairman at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino

Seth:  Many of the companies I’m involved with will be promoting at G2E this year.  Game Co. is one of these companies, and this will be their third year at the show.  We’ll have a very large exhibit where Game Co. will showcase our videogame gambling machines (VGMs) and all of the new games/features; which we’re all very excited about.

In terms of the Downtown Grand, we’re always looking to continue to show our involvement in eSports.  We focus on being a forward thinking property, providing new experiences for our guests.

Comment by Steve Neely, Chief Marketing & Operating Officer at Casino Del Sol Resort

Steve:  I’ve had a lot of success with seeing vendors at G2E and similar shows.  I like to get a feel for what’s new in technology that can benefit us, and finding effective ways for it to help our business.  I’m really pleased with the success that we’ve had in that direction in the past.  I want to continue down that path with a focus on mobile.

The main thing when it comes to mobile is how much further we can take it, without it becoming burdensome to our guest.  It’s very complex for my in-house team to handle; adopting technology that can create a solution and make their efforts more efficient will be on my radar.  More than anything else, I’m looking for what the potential is.  What I’m not doing now or what I can be doing; then I can start finding the right people that can deliver it.

Comment by Derek Stevens, Owner of The D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino

Derek:  I will definitely be in attendance at G2E. I go every year, and always visit with a high degree of curiosity to find out what’s new and where the trends are going. It really impacts your thought process as a casino owner to see the latest innovations in the gaming industry. There were a number of interesting games and potential applications last year. Interestingly enough, most of the things we saw last year haven’t even hit the market yet, so I look forward to seeing what’s changed. 

Comment by Andrew Cardno, Founder & CTO at VizExplorer

Andrew:  We will be exhibiting at G2E as we have in the past, bringing with us a set of new and in development solutions intended to drive the gaming industry and its technology capabilities forward.

We are growing our technology ecosystem with tableViz with ChipVue powered by ARB LABS, an industry-leading bet tracking and table game analysis solution we’ll showcase publicly at G2E for the first time.  If you come by our booth, we can tell about our plans for a new application for any hospitality industry business looking to cut labor costs while ensuring quality guest services and positive revenue impact.  And with the latest version of our player development tool hostViz, we’ll introduce the next generation VizExplorer technology platform built for performance, stability and portability.

As always, we’re most excited for G2E because it gives us the opportunity to talk face to face with industry leaders and get in touch with customers to learn about their unique business challenges.

This year’s event will be held October 2-5 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.  To learn more, click here.

The post Exclusive: Industry Leaders Share Thoughts Ahead of G2E appeared first on Mobile Marketing Watch.

MMW:  Tell us about CEC/Gameacon and how it all started?

Fox Brothers:  The “Fox Brothers” started their 20-year relationship with the casino industry by working in marketing and ultimately programming software for the casino transportation segment.  The relationship we had with both executives and employees in the casino industry and software developers formed a natural foundation for the start of Gameacon about 5 or 6 years ago.  We heard the concern of programmers and game developers that there were no events out there that gave them the platform they needed to reach the public, other devs (developers), potential studios, and employers – like there was for other segments of video gaming.

There was no “Sundance festival” for game developers, and so Gameacon was born.  There is a natural intersection of video game development and eSports, and it is this immersion into eSports which led us to realize that this was something the casino industry must gravitate towards if they hope to evolve with the interests of the younger generations.  It was obvious to us that the two industries could mutually benefit from each other, but were in different hemispheres needing a bridge to gap the abyss between them.  It was for this reason that we created the Casino eSport Conference (CEC).

MMW:  Why is the conversion of eSports and the casino industry important for its growth?

Fox Brothers:  The incorporation of eSports is essential to the integration of a new and relevant demographic to casino properties.  Due to the loss of revenues from aging players, slot machine revenue (which at one time was 70% of the casinos’ revenue) is way down.  Casinos need a long term investment and solution, and eSports is the way of the future.  There are many, many facets to the eSports industry.  The term eSports doesn’t necessarily mean a pro circuit tournament.  It can also mean amateur tournaments where locals and vacationers can come out and play together, like the old days of bingo parlors and slot tournaments.

In order to be successful moving forward, casinos must be more than gambling centers.  They must provide the entertainment that people want and is relevant to the new generation in order to maintain revenue into the future.  Only when you understand the needs and habits of your customers can you properly serve their needs.  The CEC was created to educate the casino industry about this generation, how to connect with them, how to host them, how to market to them, and how to give them a pleasing environment that’s satisfying to what they’re looking for in entertainment.

MMW:  How has mobile technology influenced eSports now, and what role will it play into the future of this competitive space?

Fox Brothers:  Mobile technology is vital to connect and also entertain the next generation of casino-goers.  For eSports, it is a direct connection to the community.  Mobile devices will be used for more iGaming eSport related themes, betting platforms, marketing purposes, as well as watching live matches. Millennials do not watch traditional TV or listen to traditional radio.  Increasingly, they are even eschewing mainstream social media resources like Facebook.  They communicate on social media sites like Discord, Reddit, Slack or networks like Twitch, Hitbox or Beam.  The power of streaming for casino advertising is immense and will undoubtedly be included as a topic of discussions at next year’s CEC event.

MMW:  What is your vision of the CEC & Gameacon conference’s future as you plan to bring it back to Las Vegas in 2018?

Fox Brothers:  Our continuing vision for the CEC is to educate casino decision makers about the needs of the new generation, while simultaneously forging real connections between casino executives and people who work in eSports daily – from a local, amateur, and professional level.  By bringing in tournament organizers, eSport equipment suppliers, game development studios, game publishers, payment platforms, betting software suppliers, hosting locations, marketing platform providers (such as streamers, and social networks); the CEC will act as a bridge between these two currently disparate industries. 

The post MMW Exclusive Q&A with Ari and Ben Fox of CEC and Gameacon appeared first on Mobile Marketing Watch.