Tom Hurt of MorningStar Software Combines New Technology With OBC Knowledge

Tom Hurt

Can you give us a brief background of your company?
Morningstar Software was formed in 1998 and our first product was software for purchase product named the Executive Suite Manager (ESM), which was principally a stylized billing system for Executive Suites. ESM was a MS Windows based product that was transferred from a predecessor company called Pro Corporate Software; founded in 1988. The original product was written for MS-DOS. In 2002 ESM was replaced by a software as a service product called BCE; which is our current flagship product for the Business Center industry.

Tell me something unique about your company.
Morningstar Software is completely family owned and operated.

What service or product has the most potential for growth?
Our flagship product, Business Center Enterprise, has the most potential for growth

Can you explain Business Center Enterprise?  What does it do?
Business Center Enterprise contains 4 modules: Billing and Accounts Receivables, Sales & Marketing, Facilities Resource, and the Client Care Portal. All modules are tightly integrated and facilitate electronic capture of call accounting data, copier and print device data capture, integrated Fed Ex airbill processing with group discounts available, integrated credit card processing with industry low merchant account fee structure and pricing, integrated meeting room scheduling, service agreement management with automated renewals/escalations to and inventory management to name just a few.

What has changed within MorningStar over the past two years?
A year ago we introduced our client care portal (CCP) product that has been widely accepted by our client base. This product allows our clients “clients” (end users of the center) to log in and pay their invoice, view/print invoices, schedule meeting room time, manage their profile etc. The CCP is completely integrated with BCE and our national agreement with one of the largest credit card processors in the country saves our clients money and time.

Tell us about your background and how you got into the industry.
I have a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University. I have managed large IT groups for Fortune 500 companies including Cooper Industries before becoming an entrepreneur. The first software product for Executive Suites was developed in 1988. My partner and I at the time officed in a small suite and worked with the owner to develop that first product based on the earliest PC computers from IBM.

What are your responsibilities?
I still do most of the software development myself as that is my first love. But as in most small companies you eventually do a little of everything.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Providing products and services that help people with their business and getting a chance to experience that.

What motivates you?
Faith in Christ and my family motivate me the most.

What is your proudest accomplishment with your company?
I have been serving the industry under one company banner or another since 1988 and have taken our products thru several major technology changes during that time period. So when prospective clients ask how long they can count on me; it is a fairly easy question to answer and I am proud to do so.

What is your greatest challenge over the next year or two?
The challenge during the next year or two is really the same as it has been every year or two for the last 20. Maintaining a competitive edge considering the lighting quick evolution of technology is always a challenge.

What does your company get out of or hope to get out of – its membership in OBCAI?
We hope our membership in OBCAI will allow us to get the message to more people that we can help most Business Center owners make more money!

How do you spend time outside of work? What are your hobbies?
Whitetail deer hunting keeps me very busy when not in the office.