< PreviousIn order to compete in an increasingly aggressive resort and casino business, the most important IT Enterprise project you should undertake is connecting your data. Connected data is the oxygen you need in order to succeed and grow in today’s digitally connected world, where data’s value is measured by our ability to understand it in relation to other data. When leveraged, connected data can deliver more efficient operations, increased guest loyalty, enhanced situational awareness, and most importantly, a better “bottom-line.” So what is connected data? In short, it refers to the “relationships” that inherently exist between the unconnected data points we collect and store every second of the day, how we represent (model) and store these data relationships, and how we use them. Because relationships are stored with the data, your data model is simple, intuitive, and infinitely more usable.If connected data is so important, why aren’t more tribal resorts and casinos implementing it? The list of reasons is long, and to explain one, we need to hop into our time machine and travel back to the Industrial Revolution — when, to increase factory output and efficiently assemble products, labor and tasks were separated according to specialties. This led to what is called a “division of labor,” and it became the primary way to organize a business. Its effects are still felt today. As computers and databases were adopted by businesses, the “division of labor” put forward a “division of data.” Organizations collected, grouped and stored their data to singularly serve their business functions — and only their functions. These separated data sets evolved into what are now called “data silos.” We need only look to our operational departments, which may include hotel, restaurants, slots, or table games to find a different data silo serving each department. Data silos are “sand in the gears” of a digitally connected business. Our data infrastructures have become captive to our organizational structures. Have you ever tried to use, or even find another department’s database in order to combine it and find patterns or perform analytics with your data? It is difficult at best. Most likely, it is the responsibility of a very few, very busy Information Technology staff members. Even if you locate the data, it can be difficult to manipulate and analyze. Your operational staff experiences enough “friction” that they likely give up, accept this as normal and remain uninformed and less innovative. This gets institutionalized as staff is promoted or moves on, and replacements are trained. Data warehouses came along as potential solutions to disconnected data, but they simply replicated the existing problem.Nearly all databases that comprise your data silos were designed to computerize the paper ledger — the spreadsheet. This database design is not compatible with a digitally connected world, which continues to create more disconnected data at a faster pace and in a variety of formats. To remain competitive, we require a flexible data model to unify and integrate (or even replace) existing data silos and the growing number of external data sources that are streaming data in real time. What is the answer?A single graph database is one answer. A graph database stores your enterprise data as nodes and relationships. A node represents an object or noun (guest, slot machine, restaurant, hotel room, bus, etc.,) and a relationship represents the connection or verb (plays, takes bus, reserves, dines, etc.,) between two nodes. Both nodes and relationships can contain additional properties to differentiate themselves, such as the name of a guest or the theme of a slot node. Graph technology stores the relationships along with the data. This is very different from your existing databases, which to create a relationship, expensive calculations are required, and following the analysis, these data relationships are removed and not stored. Whereas your current databases store highly-structured data in tables with predetermined columns and rows, graph databases avoid this rigid structure and allow for more flexibility BYSTUART KERRCHIEF DATA SCIENTIST, PECHANGA RESORT AND CASINOStuart Kerr is the Chief Data Scientist at the Pechanga Resort and Casino. Stuart is charged with innovating casino operations and has developed and deployed the world’s first resort and casino “Total Property Intelligence” system based upon graph technology. Stuart holds advanced Degrees in Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Geography and Business. ABOUT THE AUTHORConnected DataFEATURE | DATA CONNECTIVITY| tribalnetonline.com10The Why, What and How?Figure 1 – Simple Data Infrastructurein how relationships between objects are defined, enabling you to change the data model on the fly, without incurring weeks of reconfiguration. With graph technology, you simply read the relationships that connect your data. OK, sounds great, how can you implement graph technology and leverage the resulting connected data? Not to worry — you can keep your current data silo investment by integrating these data sets into a single graph database. By modeling your services, guests and operations as a graph, and periodically extracting the isolated data from your data silos into the graph database, relationships and nodes are automatically created and updated. Made immediately available without doing any after-the-fact relationship calculations. Extracting data from the silos can occur as often as required, including in real-time. Your entire enterprise data set can be seamlessly connected and ready to be leveraged by applications and services which were once limited to accessing one or — at most — two data silos. Figure 1 illustrates this simple data infrastructure. What are some results you can expect using graph technology? The only limitation is your imagination. Each time a guest plays or uses a service at your property, your graph database gets smarter by automatically updating and performing analytics on every relationship created by a guest’s activity. “Metcalfe’s Law” states that as the number of computer network connections increases, the value of that network increases. Similarly, with connected data, as the number of relationships in your graph database grows, the “smarter” your graph database becomes, evolving into an Enterprise Knowledge Graph. Relationships contained within the Enterprise Knowledge Graph are fundamental, and key to establishing rich, current and valuable 360-degree models and assessments of your guests, operations and property. Your staff up, down and across management and operational chains becomes more informed, empowered and innovative, and will be able to see in real time how their actions affect other departments’ success, and the success of your business. TRIBALNET MAGAZINE | SPRING 2019| tribalnetonline.com12Please tell us briefly about the size and structure of your IT team and areas you support?We have a 32 member strong IT team across six properties with over 60% of our IT team comprised of members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. We are dedicated to three main areas internally: Operations, Engineering, and Applications. These teams provide us with focused roles and definitions. Our entire IT team provides technical service and support for three gaming properties with an aggregate slot count of over 3100 machines, two hotel sites totaling over 1100 rooms, multiple restaurants, golf courses, spas and several other resort amenities. Pearl River has recently made a substantial mark in history in the Native American gaming industry. Can you tell us why?We have successfully launched the first independently owned and operated Tribal Sportsbook in the UNIVERSE! Because of this, we were recognized by our peers in the industry as one of the recipients of the 2018 TribalNet Industry Awards. Executive Director Cheryl Smith had this to say in response to being honored with the award: “On behalf of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and Pearl River Resort, we are honored to receive this award as it is a reflection of our teamwork and commitment to providing technology to users and customers with a side of southern hospitality. Our IT team has been beaming with pride for being recognized with this prestigious industry distinction.” What more can you tell us about how your property became the very first Tribal Sportsbook?Due to the extremely short timeline to open the Sportsbook, the infrastructure and expertise within the IT team were instrumental in getting the project completed on time. After the contracts were signed with the vendor, we had less than four weeks to have the system up and operational. One of the deadlines we were trying to meet that was important for our market segment was the start of college football season. Our customers were pleased that we did, in fact, meet that deadline! One of the biggest things we needed to ensure we understood was the data flow. It’s not just a point of sale system. There is data writing, video feed, the decision of hosting the equipment onsite or off and so many other points to consider in order to be successful. We operate this as an independent Sportsbook, so we minimize the risk on us while being allowed to compete with commercial casinos in the State of Mississippi. This was a win for us for many reasons. The fact that we were able to have this new offering while minimizing our own risk and requiring customers to be on our property in order to place bets was huge. Driving traffic and a different demographic to our site is a positive for us. We will be looking to integrate this into our player tracking system in early 2019 because just as in everything we do with the resort, we are moving towards one total view of the customer.What are some of the other priority projects for your IT team in 2019? Mobility and integration are two buzz words for us in 2019. Things like the availability of mobile enrollment for guest RSVP’s to events and customer-focused F&B solutions that cut down on wait times and improve the guest experience will be high up on our priority list. We also have some standard upgrades planned for our CMS as well as some back of house systems in HR and purchasing. A project we believe is going to be a game changer for us this year is a new disaster recovery (DR) solution. This virtual environment will allow us to affordably improve our disaster recovery plans tremendously. We will also continue to focus on areas that keep our guests’ information protected while improving the delivery of our services. What would you say are some of your contributing factors to success as an IT team?Internally, we have a big focus on customer service. Our team has a positive demeanor and we work on building relationships between IT and every department. They are our customers. We are here to help, not to blame users or technology. Our goal in all our interactions with other departments is to ensure that their experiences with IT systems are seamless and empowering. We take the time to listen and have solid dialog whether it’s troubleshooting a small error or starting a new innovative project. We are all in this together as a team — a family — and it shows that we all have the guests’ best experience in mind while we are doing our jobs. The leadership mindset in the IT team allows for everyone to be the most creative and resourceful they can be. We know we are the heart and soul of the organization, but we don’t boast about it! We are a team, and all have the same goal: the best customer experience. How would you describe your IT team?Strong and dedicated. We foster a team environment through a concerted effort to recruit and develop local tribal and non-tribal IT talent. We take pride in being resourceful, resilient, and respectful in all we do. If you join us, you are guaranteed to laugh a lot. How many people can say that about their typical day at work? Because of the strength of our team, we are now always “invited to the party.” Trust has been built and we have truly been able to rise to the top. We are proud of our team and will continue to provide technology and support to our properties...all with a side of southern hospitality. Core Technology SnapshotGaming & Slot Accounting: SciGames & KonamiSportsBook: IGTGaming ERP: InforPMS & POS: AgilysysVirtualization: VMwareDisaster Recovery: ZertoTelecom: AvayaTimekeeping: KronosWe would like to thank Cheryl, Ed, Adam and Matthew for meeting with us on this Q&A feature. They would love your questions and comments and can be reached at: csmith@pearlriverresort.com, erangel@pearlriverresort.com, amorrison@pearlriverresort.com and mboyd@pearlriverresort.com QUESTION + ANSWER | PEARL RIVER RESORTDELEGATES1,500+SPEAKERS175EXHIBITORS60Betting on Sports America is the largest sports betting trade conference in the USSPEAKER PREVIEW Meadowlands Exposition Center, New Jersey / New York23-25 APRIL 2019For more information, please visit www.sbcevents.com/bosa2019RAYMOND LESNIAKFormer SenatorDemocratic PartyMAY SCHEVEExecutive Director & PresidentMissouri Lottery & NASPLDAVID REBUCKDirectorNJDGESCOTT KAUFMAN-ROSSHead of Fantasy & GamingNBASHEILA MORAGOExecutive DirectorOklahoma Indian Gaming Assn.ADAM GREENBLATTCEO Roar Digital MGM/GVCRYAN HOWARDPartner & Former MLB starSeventySix Capital & Philadelphia PhilliesEVAN DAVISVP and General CounselSugarhouse CasinoPHIL MURPHYGovernorNew JerseyCHRISTIAN STUARTExecutive VP of Gaming & Interactive EntertainmentCaesarsSCOTT BUTERAPresident of Interactive GamingMGMJEFFREY GURALChairman American Racing and EntertainmentAVI ALROYVP Interactive GamingMohegan SunEXHIBITOR PREVIEWEvent organizer SBC is a proud member of American Gaming Association (AGA) and The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA)BRIAN WESTBROOKPartner & Former NFL starSeventySix Capital & Philadelphia EaglesJAMES T. PLOUSISChairmanState of New Jersey Casino Control Commission WEB: TribalNetOnline.com • EMAIL: contactus@TribalNetOnline.com • PHONE: 269-459-9890Industry Award Winners for Tribal Gov’t &Member Services Category: Squaxin IslandTribe Information Services Department2018 TribalNet Board Members at the Sunday Board DinnerKEYNOTE PRESENTATION:Conversational Charisma: MasteringCommunication & RelationshipsKEYNOTE PRESENTATION:Change Never Dies! OvercomingResistance to Change$2,500 Grand Prize Tradeshow BingoRun Winner Sponsored by Atrient & GartnerTuesday Night Cocktail HourSponsored by Aristocrat & EVERI2018 CONFERENCE &TRADESHOW HIGHLIGHTSTribalNet’s Exclusive Meet & Greet Event-Video Game CLassics- a retro game night Sponsored by RainmakerNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE • NOVEMBER 11-14, 2019PLAN NOW TO JOIN USAS WE CELEBRATE OUR20TH ANNIVERSARY ATTHE BEAUTIFUL GAYLORDOPRYLAND RESORT &CONVENTION CENTER! Grand Prize “Locate Leslie” Winner“Strong Ladies of IT” on the tradeshow oorWednesday Night “Jam Session” Sponsored by Handel ITIndustry Award Winners for Tribal Business/Enterprise Category: Pearl River Resort IT DepartmentKEYNOTE PRESENTATION:Embracing Disruptive Innovation$1,000 Prize Giveaway WinnerSponsored by CompuNet & Native Network12 Person Foosball Game During theMonday Night Meet & Greet EventSponsored by Rainmaker16| tribalnetonline.comBYFRED E. STARZYKFOUNDING PRINCIPAL OF ARONNAX PUBLIC STRATEGIES (APS)With almost 25 years of federal legislative and political experience, Fred Starzyk is the founding principal of Aronnax Public Strategies (APS), a federal government affairs firm that focuses on Indian Country, agriculture, and Department of Interior related issues. APS’ goal is to partner with clients to create solutions that matter.ABOUT THE AUTHORCLOSING THEDigital DivideTribal telecommunications infrastructure is an area that holds significant opportunities for tribes, yet few have thus far taken advantage of the incentives available. Tribes can create a Tribal Telecommunications Infrastructure Company or establish itself as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier, both of which can provide the following benefits to the community: 1. Further diversifying the tribe’s economy by entering into the lucrative broadband infrastructure space, and 2. Helping solve the digital divide that exists on tribal land throughout Indian Country. This is a win-win economic model that can serve not only as an additional stream of revenue for the particular tribe but also as a way to help tribes all across Indian Country prepare for commerce in the 21st century.The term “digital divide” refers to the gap between those Americans who have access to telecommunications and information technologies and those who do not. A significant part of the digital divide is high-speed Internet access and advanced telecommunications services — collectively referred to as broadband. Broadband is provided by a number of different technologies (e.g., cable, telephone wire, fiber, satellite, mobile and fixed wireless). Broadband technology provides the means for users to send and receive data at volumes necessary to support a number of different applications like voice, entertainment, telemedicine, distance education, telework, commerce, public safety, civic engagement and much more. Broadband technology allows individuals and communities to engage in the digital marketplace through e-commerce. This is particularly important in tribal communities. Unfortunately, the digital divide is widest in Indian Country. Many experts and policymakers agree that this lack of broadband access in rural America and within tribal communities could have adverse consequences on those communities.The problem stems from the fact that private providers are unlikely to earn enough revenue to cover the costs of deploying and operating broadband networks in rural America and Indian Country, so are unlikely to invest in these underserved areas. The federal government has realized this fact and made millions of dollars in grant and loan funding available to bridge this digital divide. There are two ongoing federal vehicles that fund broadband. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utility Service (RUS) finances broadband and telecommunications programs, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supports the Universal Service Fund (USF) programs.The USDA/RUS launched a pilot program in 2001 to fund broadband transmission and local dial-up Internet service in rural areas. This pilot program provided $100 million in funding to finance the construction and installation of broadband telecommunications services. Thanks to the success of this trial-run, there are currently four ongoing programs through RUS to incentivize and subsidize broadband infrastructure investment in unserved and underserved rural areas. The FCC’s goal since 1934 has been “to make available, so far as possible, to all people of the United States…a rapid, efficient, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges.” In 2011 under this universal service concept, the FCC’s Universal Service Fund phased out their outdated high-cost program for the creation of a new fund: the Connect America Fund (CAF). It is the CAF that provides funding opportunities for rural America and Indian Country.Earlier this year, the FCC conducted an auction to allocate Phase II support to underserved and unserved areas of the country, thereby providing $1.49 billion over ten years to supply fixed broadband and voice services to over 700,000 locations in 45 states.Tribes have a unique opportunity to get into the highly lucrative broadband space by taking advantage of these federal programs, which give them the opportunity to diversify their economic development in this growing industry. By becoming engaged in rural and tribal broadband development, tribes will also directly contribute to ending the inequities in Indian Country, giving tribes the opportunity to participate in the 21st-century digital economy.By pursuing grant funds through the FCC’s Connect America Fund, tribes can set up their own tribal telecommunications infrastructure companies or establish themselves as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETC). This facilitation of regional telecommunications entities will build infrastructure in underserved broadband markets and help wire Indian Country so tribes can engage in business development such as e-commerce.In summary, these federal programs can assist in closing the digital divide in Indian Country — but only if tribes take advantage of such opportunities. FEATURE | BROADBANDtribalnetonline.com |17CONNECTIVITYThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has no higher priority than making sure every American can access high-speed Internet connectivity. Unfortunately, millions of Americans lack adequate access to broadband and residents of tribal lands disproportionately find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide. The FCC currently has several proceedings underway designed to close the connectivity gap in tribal areas. This article provides a brief overview of two of these activities. REPORT AND ORDER, FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING: TRIBAL BROADBAND FACTOR, WC DOCKET NOS. 10-90, 14-58, 07-135 AND CC DOCKET NO. 01-92The FCC’s largest program for promoting network deployment in underserved areas is our Connect America Fund, which provides government subsidies to leverage private network investment in rural America. In 2016, the FCC adopted a voluntary path through the Fund for small, rural providers, also known rate-of-return carriers, to accept an alternative funding mechanism in exchange for extending service to more locations. These carriers could elect 10 years of support calculated by a cost model to extend service to a pre-determined number of eligible locations. Carriers that did not accept model-based support remained on legacy support. In December 2018, the FCC decided to make a second offer of model-based support to those remaining legacy carriers. With this new offer, the FCC incorporated a Tribal Broadband Factor that further increased the level of model-based support available to carriers for providing service on tribal lands. At the same time, the FCC began to explore the possibility of adopting a Tribal Broadband Factor for legacy carriers. Input from tribal communities will be vital to the FCC’s decision on this matter. The initial deadline for public comments was March 8, 2019, and the deadline for reply comments — April 8, 2019 — is quickly approaching. Interested parties are encouraged to share their views and insights with the FCC. More details on the proceeding are available at the following link:https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-increases-universal-service-support-faster-rural-broadband-0NATIVE NATIONS COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCEIn 2018, the FCC appointed tribal representatives and FCC senior staff to its Native Nations Communications Task Force. On December 4, 2018, the Task Force gathered at the FCC’s headquarters to conduct its first meeting, and it is currently working on several projects to identify and overcome obstacles to greater broadband deployment and adoption on tribal lands. While formal Task Force meetings occur quarterly, members are working together throughout the year to develop data and recommendations for FCC consideration and use in planning and policymaking.Information on the Task Force, including the names and affiliation of current members, can be found at: https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs/about-bureau/ office-native-affairs-and-policy/native-nations#block-menu-block-4Closing the Connectivity Gap in Tribal AreasAGENCY UPDATE: FCCFEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSIONAGENCY UPDATE | FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC)THE FCC’S OFFICE OF NATIVE AFFAIRS & POLICYIn January 2019, ONAP welcomed new member Susan Mort to its staff. Susan is a veteran FCC attorney and has worked in the communications area for nearly two decades.MATTHEW DUCHESNE Chief202-418-3629 matthew.duchesne@fcc.gov SAYURI RAJAPAKSE Deputy Chief202-418-2579 sayuri.rajapakse@fcc.gov JANET SIEVERT Senior Legal Advisor202-418-1362 janet.sievert@fcc.govSUSAN MORT Legal Advisor202-418-2429 susan.mort@fcc.gov CAROLYN CONYERS Program Advisor202-418-2002 carolyn.conyers@fcc.gov| tribalnetonline.com18Join the conversation on the TribalHubpage.Follow us on our other social platforms too! • Continue to engage with valuable peer-to-peer connections• Make smart connections with our trusted vendor partners• Get a first look at news and offers from all of our divisions• Find news unique to tribes and technologyFind us at LinkedIn.com/company/TribalHubBUSINESSLet’s Do Business… and save your Tribe & Tribal Enterprises money!SOLUTIONSPhoneInternetOffice 365 & CloudWirelessWe think every tribe should be their own telecom company yet not every tribe is ready for the big leap. In the meantime, Native Network, a company dedicated to Indian Country, can save your tribe & tribal enterprises money with lower phone, internet, mobile wireless & software bills. CALL US AT 844.558.2472 TO START SAVING MONEY, TODAY!Next >