FrontRunner Professional is proud to again be named an Innovation Award finalist from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) for the third year in a row.
After being named the Innovator of the Year in 2014 for their intuitive Total Business Solution, FrontRunner accelerated their commitment to being the leader in technology solutions for the funeral profession. With more technology providers than ever before, FrontRunner couldn’t be more proud to receive such distinguished recognition in the funeral profession.
“Our first time receiving the Innovation Award was for a product that gives funeral homes a completely integrated, all-encompassing software with one point of data entry to help them run more efficiently, reduce the number of software vendors needed, and eliminate unnecessary expenses and pressure on their bottom line” says Ashley Montroy, President at FrontRunner Professional.
The solution FrontRunner has been nominated for this year is an industry first. MemorialFX Live integrates real time condolence messages and so much more from the deceased’s memorial tribute page right into the DVD presentation, taking integration to a whole new level, saving the funeral director time and sign off on the memorial video, and giving them the best in DVD generation capabilities.
Today, FrontRunner’s innovation continues not only with the recent nomination but also with the new direction of their company. “The new Exclusive Client Program was built for firms that no longer want to work with a website and technology company that sells everyone, competitors or not, the same product” says Montroy. “Progressive firms need exclusive tools, services, and strategies to give them true differentiation within their communities; not wake up to find the guy up the street has the same thing. This new path continues to position us as the FrontRunner in innovation, no pun intended, and the future for not only us, but our clients is very exciting” adds Montroy.
It is clear that companies like FrontRunner are going to help shape the future of how funeral professionals tackle the real issues facing them and help provide a clear path to the continued success and respect of our great profession.
With over two decades as a licensed funeral director, FrontRunner Founder Kevin Montroy intimately understood the day-to-day challenges of owning and operating a funeral home. This experience, coupled with a keen insightfulness to listen and respond to client’s needs and suggestions, has allowed the company to continue to rise to these accolades. “We strive to create technology that not only solves a problem for funeral directors, but creates unique experiences for families. We believe that if we create technology that attracts the interest of consumers, inherently it will attract new families to those firms that offer it.” concludes Montroy.
To learn more about FrontRunner, visit www.frontrunner360.com or contact Jules Green at 1-866-748-3625.
To vote for FrontRunner’s MemorialFX Live! feature as the winner of the 2016 NFDA Innovation Award, visit the voting area.
This is becoming a regular occurrence… a company completing a registration form and submitting to NFDA. To only be accepted for what is deemed to be polished and usable software for the Funeral Profession. Instead it is being used as a launching program to release a new program that has no sustained users and filled with issues. Take a look at the software that won this prestigious award in 2014, still to this day Funeral Homes have purchased (or invested, or is it rented) this software only to find out that it isn’t complete and still can’t print a proper contract for the life of the program… Now we see a new entry, a new program that wasn’t even listed on their website a week ago.
So I have to ask this… Is it shame on this company for taking advantage of a process that should be awarded to a winner that has a product that has been tested, launched and have reviews from REAL users showing that makes it more than just vapourware? Or shame on the committee at NFDA for accepting applications from any company that doesn’t have a real model in operation? Does NFDA test every application’s product when determining a true winner? One that should have every Funeral Home owner looking at and saying “I need that”?
This post will likely get removed for SPAM, like my other posts, yet it isn’t SPAM its just asking for their to be a true winner with a real product that the Funeral Profession can use and be proud of.
Cheers,
Mike (Not hiding my name) Hepburn
Mike I went with Frontrunner in 2014 and have never ever had them try to sell me anything. I consider them part of my business I get so many compliments in my community on the way my website is laid out and their whole team is second to none. If I ever need support they are always there the whole Frontrunner team that I know Ashley Jules John Amber and Andrew are like family to the Scarr Funeral Home and I highly recommend this company to other funeral homes if you have any questions on their software you can call them or I would be happy to tellyou how they transformed by business 845-357-1137
Mike,
I have been using Frontrunner Professional’s MemorialFX DVD program since mid-April of this year. It has not only been up and running for months, it is a “polished and usable” program. I have not had a single issue with the program or its performance. (As I had in the past with another company many, including you, would be familiar with.)
Jeff Nichols
P.S. Thank you Frontrunner for doing it right! I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.
Mike do you have any experience with frontrunner and their PULSE system? I have used, and am currently forced to use another companies software and I HATE IT! When we were forced to switch away from Frontrunner, it was a sad day here. We now are forced to enter things two, sometimes three times. They are hands down the BEST available on the market right now. I can tell you as the location manager, “I need that”
I think you should do a little bit more homework before blasting a company like you have.
Hi Eric.
A couple of answers to your questions:
1) Do I have any experience with FrontRunner? Former Vice President of FrontRunner Professional… Check my LinkedIn profile. I would say that I have a lot of experience with FrontRunner. I was an original founder with Mr. Montroy and left after 16 grueling years.
2) You say that you were forced to switch? Nobody is ever forced to switch, so what caused it? Especially if you are forced to switch and now have an inefficient model. So likely there were issues, inefficiencies? You brought it up, so why not share your full experience Eric?
3) “BEST” in market right now… Everyone is welcome to their opinions… I say a Volkswagen Jetta is best in market would you agree with me? Likely not but my reasons would be a lot different than yours when judging materialistic items.
4) Your “I need that” comment?? What you need is efficiency and a software program that is truly intergrated and works seamlessly between website to funeral management software, answering service to stationery printing and have everything mobile and ready at your fingertips… I am not here to give my opinions on who that might be, every one can share what they think. Obviously Lenny Scarr also thinks that FrontRunner is the best… I could bring 10 former customers here that would think they are the worst.
The point of my post was that MemorialFX isn’t even a launched product… It wasn’t on their website last week and they are already being promoted for an innovation that isn’t tried or proven to their customers. It frustrates me (and likely the other contenders) that they get this chance before they have launched. Shouldn’t a true contender already have their product in commercial use before being nominated (self-nominated at that) for an award as prestigious as the NFDA Innovation Award?
Sorry not much of a LinkedIn person. Not too interested in explaining our situation as to why we were FORCED to switch. But the decision was out of my hands. I have been very vocal.in my opinion of the program we are forced to use and am currently doing my part to show the benefits of what frontrunner provides. Let me put it to you in layman’s terms. I have used 4 different companies including frontrunner AND nobody has the features and ease that frontrunner has. Everything is available in one spot. ONE.
Maybe you don’t like that they self nominate themselves for awards, but look around and tell me why they shouldn’t? We self nominate our funeral home for awards too. It’s good for business and is also free advertising. Just what you are doing for them. I bet the Montroy’s appreciate the free press!
Your still missing my point to my post. They self nominated themselves for an award of a program that is not launched (or may be as of this week) and that is why I made my post. I am actually being critical of the entire process because I FEEL that an innovation award should go to a company that has a product that is deemed worthy, and not just a company with deep pockets.
As for using 4 different companies, that’s a lot of money to be investing in technology and moving from one provider to the next. The reason I am guessing that you won’t share is because it is an actual issue with their software. I could provide you insight on all companies providing technology, from Funeral Management Software, to Websites to Stationery Printing Programs. Which one’s work with Accounting Software to what platforms you should consider in the next phase of your technology needs. I would do it for no cost just to make sure that you understand what is out there, and what will meet your requirements for your customers today, but more importantly for tomorrow’s demanding family!
As for free press… Call it what it is, but funeral directors get taken advantage a lot in this industry and there is a lot of smoke and mirrors that goes and I just want to “educate” every one on what I feel is going on… that’s just my opinion!
Mike I am going to leave this alone now because I have learned in my many years in this business that you have people who are your advocates and you have people who are your assassins. Disgruntled employees more times than not fall under the assassin category. No matter how hard you try they will always have an argument as to whether the sky is blue or grey. Frankly I don’t care.
The reason we left frontrunner was due to an acquisition. The current owner uses a completely different provider. That provider is who you should spend your time complaining about because it is not simple to use. In fact, it has made twice the work for our admin staff. I had tried others before frontrunner and none of them have the features frontrunner has. Thats why I was with them for 5+ years. I was one of the first on the PULSE system and it is leaps and bounds ahead of anything else. My guess is you talked to one firm who had a complaint. Even volkswagon jettas have issues…..
You do care… That’s why you responded, again! I am not a disgruntled employee or an angry competitor… (Still actually own shares in that company) but I am just a fellow vendor in the Funeral Profession that is tired of seeing stretched truths, spins on the same ol’ technology and blatant lies about their company. You don’t see that and I guess I shall congratulate you on that!
As for using “Pulse” systems 5 years ago… You couldn’t have! I was there 5 years ago and it was called IMS and didn’t really work that well (Couldn’t print a contract and didn’t integrate with Quickbooks or Simply Accounting)… In fact 5 years ago there was no implementation with Halycon Software in place (The Pulse System) so maybe you used their website which at that time was definitely the champion program in the industry.
Shall we continue our little tyrant?
Please…. You like to spin things around Mike. I had been a frontrunner customer for 5+ years. We came on with frontrunner in March of 2010. In 2013, I believe, we started using the IMS. As far as printing contracts and working with quickbooks, it’ was just as good as TDAW or anything else on the market. When they launched the PULSE system we were on of the first to switch over to it. Yes it had some hiccups, but so does the 2017 Jetta. Keep spinning what I am saying Mike, you’re not helping your cause at all. Your claims of stretching of the truth is absured. Do some research.
And after doing some research it seems as though they started winning awards AFTER you left the company. Makes sense.
BTW…. Majority of awards given out in the auto industry are already decided on before that model year hits the showroom floor. You complaining about software winning an award that was launched in spring of 2016 is ridiculous. It’s a hell of a program. Try it sometime.
And if you own shares in this company why arent you happy they are winning awards? Seems to me thats what an “investor” would want their company to do. Maybe you want their stock to tank.
Waiting for your reply now because I guess I do care.
Mike the program
Is up and running please do your research on Frontrunner before making comments seems like you have an axe to grind with Frontrunner I find them exceptional and honest if you have moved on from company look to your own future and don’t stand I way of the top funeral software company in industry that does no one any good
Mike the program
Is up and running please do your research on Frontrunner before making comments seems like you have an axe to grind with Frontrunner I find them exceptional and honest if you have moved on from company look to your own future and don’t stand I way of the top funeral software company in industry that does no one any good
Please confirm what is up and running? If you are going to make a post like this then confirm what you think is up and running!
I likely know more about Funeral Software than you could imagine. I know all the companies, their strengths and weaknesses… It’s what I have been doing for 19 years!
Again, you feel that you have to come online to protect this company? All I am stating is that I think the whole Innovation Award process is flawed… From self-nominations to software not having to be completely finished to be awarded the prize…
As for the top software company… That is your opinion and you state that EVERY DAY on their Facebook page. Settle down Lenny!
Why would you do all of this if you own shares in this company?