Axiom: A Global Technology Solution in Cemeteries

Founded in 1983, by John & Anne Field, Axiom Business Systems has been creating an organizational culture of excellence, to provide and support accounting solutions and customized business solutions. From humble beginnings, Axiom has gone from strength to strength over the last three decades. Its flagship product is now a state of the art cemetery management system that provides web based access, customer relationship management (CRM), sales interactions, cemetery records, finance, public inquiry systems and GIS mapping to its cemetery clients across North America and Australia.

After years of installing and supporting customizable accounting solutions, Axiom turned its attention to Cemeteries. An emerging need became evident that Axiom could fulfill and provide an end to end solution for cemeteries to manage their customer relations along with the complex and personal needs of their families. In 1998 a large cemetery in Australia commissioned Axiom to design a highly integrated solution — linking funeral order reservations, financial systems, with a computerized digital map and information kiosks.

It was after the successful implementation of this system that Axiom took its next major step. In 2003 it expanded to North America engaging a client in San Francisco. Today, the company provides its software to cemeteries on three continents.

Anne Field, co-founder of Axiom played a pivotal role in leading Axiom to its pre-eminent position in this profession, including how it came to be in this unique market. “I have always had a passion for learning more about  our  family heritage and history, and the legends, stories and memories that are part of that legacy, given that both my husband’s and  my  family are of Irish descent. However, it seems that our journey to become involved in this particular profession was almost an unconscious one at the outset, but as our immersion in this area grew, it felt very right…. ‘a coming home’ in a sense, to a place that felt like we always belonged,” said Anne

Modern Technology Tools for a niche market

Axiom’s flagship product is its Cemetery Management Suite which provides a single point of entry system that brings together many separate, but unified modules. The Axiom Cemetery Records module is like a central hub from which cemetery specific functions can be managed, and because it is integrated directly with Axiom’s sales, operational, public access, mapping and accounting tools, Axiom Cemetery Management Suite has the simplicity and depth of function to allow easy monitoring of all cemetery operations.

The application is backed by a highly integrated CRM solution from Sage and a GIS mapping solution that takes the next step in offering greater flexibility and mobility in making ‘out in the grounds’ grave selections a ‘hassle–free’ experience. It also introduced a dashboard, reporting on financial and key performance metrics enhancing its reputation in providing robust business management tools in this industry sector. A single, comprehensive system aids in protecting the cemetery from entering wrong information, helping them mitigate inherent risks like selling a grave twice or not delivering the correct information to the client family.

A focus on purpose

The company has always focused on why it does what it does, rather than what it does and this motto has been pivotal to its success. Since its inception in 1983 Axiom has developed a culture based on shared values and ethics with its team and clients. Deeply inspired by the popular author Simon Sinek and his work on corporate leadership, Anne and John Field have striven to integrate much of Sinek’s wisdom into Axiom’s business model. After having carefully established and defined Axiom’s core values, its purpose and ‘why’ of being in business, Anne proactively encourages and inspires her team to seek out colleagues and client partners who believe in what they believe in.

“There is truly a meeting of the hearts and minds when we connect with others for whom the mission of our company authentically resonates with their own corporate mission. With this as the cornerstone of the partnership, we begin with a solid foundation that is galvanized by a common vision and set of objectives. In doing so, there is a deep understanding of the change and innovation that can be brought to an organization with the implementation of fully integrated technology. It’s exciting, it’s empowering, it’s transformational, and great things can be brought to bear in the process!” added Anne.

The Roadmap Ahead

Axiom launched its new web-based cemetery management system in 2015 and since then has expanding the system functionality to include electronic signatures on contracts and a more mobile solution allowing its cemeteries to provide services to their client families in the family home, in the grounds of the cemetery or anywhere that the technology can enhance the discussion about the client family’s requirements.

It is also developing an expanded range of product offerings by adding a number of on-line services that allow for self- service bookings and sales systems and a new range of system management services that address grounds management and horticultural management that will help cemeteries streamline the large number of cemetery resources under their governance and supervision. Axiom has recently grown its customer base with the acquisition of one of its competitors, ensuring a strong road map for product development and surety of business continuity.

Axiom continues to grow in the North American market, in addition to sowing the seeds for expansion into the United Kingdom and Europe. The company will also continue to consolidate its market position in the South East Pacific region of Australia and New Zealand. By utilizing the multi lingual capabilities and other ground –breaking aspects of the Sage solution, this catapults Axiom’s cemetery solution into a truly global market.

Meet the Key Executives

With more than 35 years of experience in CRM, Accounting and ERP solutions, over a wide diversity of industry segments, John Field has been the force behind Axiom’s international success. 

Anne Field has ensured that the company’s core values have been established, and reflect a desire to be of service, and to build meaningful relationships with its community and clients.  Axiom‘s experience of cemetery best practice and local rituals now covers several continents, Australia, South Africa, Europe and North America.

“How we do business is as important as what we do.”