Slots Logic reviews and rates the world's top online slots.
Visit Casino Advisor for the best online casino reviews, news and much more.
|
From production to marketing to tech support to software development and finally to sales, Steve Priest has spent an entire career with cash handling specialist AstroSystems. In fact, he’s done everything but drive the truck...
How did you first get involved with the amusements industry?
After finishing college at 18 I was very eager to get some money together so I started working as a production assistant at a local company, Diversified Systems International. How was I to know that almost 15 years on I’d still be there, albeit under the rebranded AstroSystems company name.
It has been an eventful journey and I’ve worked my way through the company from production to technical support to sales, with a bit of software development thrown in along the way.
Why? What attracted you to this sector?
I didn’t know anything about the amusement and gaming market at the time apart from the fruit machine in the pub, so it wasn’t exactly planned, but once I’d had a taste of the industry, I guess I was hooked. I was lucky that I was able to go to trade shows and visit overseas customers in my fledgling career, so I got to experience the diversity of the industry early on, and that has retained my attention ever since.
Do you think it has changed much since then?
The industry is still full of fascinating people, all of whom have a story (or two) to tell, but it is obvious that things are not what they once were. Legislation, for one thing, is changing markets overnight, and the economic situation isn’t helping, so the dynamics have definitely changed. The recent onslaught of Internet gaming and home consoles has reduced the target audience further, but a number of manufacturers are embracing new technology which looks to bring a better experience, and more value for money, to the player.
What are the biggest positive factors for the sector right now – the drivers of growth and development?
Currently the development of new technologies is a big positive for the sector, and it’s something I am seeing more and more of across all the industries that I am involved in. The player experience is moving to a new level of interactivity, and anything that brings the player to the machine can only be a good thing. For example, a 3D screen is a feature that is still rare in the console market but could be used to effect in gaming machines.
And what are the negative ones – the obstacles to growth?
If you listen to some people they will tell you we are all doomed. It is easy to see why they think this. We are in difficult economic times – people don’t have the disposable income they used to, inflation has pushed up prices of everything, and alternative home gaming is easier to access. But as the markets stabilise and the cost of living lowers, people will start spending again.
Looking at your whole career, what do you reckon was your smartest move (large or small)?
Strange as it may seem, the fact that I didn’t go on to university. My parents taught me the value of money and I wanted to start earning it as soon as possible to pay my own way. Although I had the opportunity, higher education was never something I considered, I was more interested in the materialistic things money can buy...
And your dumbest one?
Not something I’m going to admit to in this publication...
Where do you hope you’ll be, professionally, in ten years’ time?
To be completely honest, I’ve not thought that far ahead. Having recently started a family and with work commitments snowballing, the past few years have been a blur. Obviously I’d like to progress my career further, preferably remaining in this industry, and in ten years’ time I would like to be sitting comfortably, managing an international company.
And finally – if you’d never embarked on this career, what other line(s) of work would you have liked to pursue?
When I was younger I always wanted to be a lorry driver, driving one of the large American Peterbilt or Mack trucks. Not sure why, perhaps it was inspired by Smokey and the Bandit.
Curriculum Vitae
Born: 1977
Education:
1993 King Alfred’s School, Oxford
1994-96 King Alfred’s Sixth Form College, Oxford
Career:
1997-99 production assistant, Diversified Systems International
1999-2002 sales and marketing assistant, Diversified Systems International. Duties included overseeing the rebranding of the company as AstroSystems.
2002-04 technical support, AstroSystems. Assisting customers with installation of machines, and accompanying sales teams on technical visits. Providing training to customers on Microcoin coin acceptors and GBA note validators.
2004-07 software development engineer, AstroSystems. Overseeing the GBA note validator software development teams in both the UK and U.S. offices.
2007-09 technical sales executive, AstroSystems. Specialising in product integration in all industries. Developing new distributor and service agent networks across Europe.
Since 2009 sales manager, AstroSystems. Overseeing introduction of a new range of GBA note validators while developing Microcoin coin acceptors to meet market requirements. Identifying growth markets and liaising with agents and distributors to expand sales across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
