When it comes to managing a business, having the right tools can make all the difference. For businesses in the gun and sporting goods retail industry, a reliable point of sale (POS) system is crucial. Two popular software options for gun retailers are Bravo Point of Sale and FastBound firearms compliance software. While both offer solutions for managing gun transactions, there are distinct and significant differences between the two.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Bravo Point of Sale and FastBound Firearms compliance software, comparing features, functionalities, and overall user experience to help you determine which solution is right for your business.
Ready to see the power of Bravo’s Point of Sale?
Overview of Bravo Point of Sale
Bravo Point of Sale is an all-in-one, firearm friendly cloud-based software platform for FFLs, gun stores, pawn shops and other specialty retailers. Bravo’s FFL solution natively integrates all business operations, including point of sale, E4473, Cloud Storage, A&D book and eCommerce marketplaces. Bravo also provides integrated text messaging, payment processing, mobile apps, a built-in estimator for evaluating secondhand goods, and deep reporting all integrated into the same system.
Because Bravo Point of Sale is an all-in-one software platform, users can run their entire business through one operating system, instead of using multiple systems from multiple vendors. Its centralized platform provides a single source of truth that empowers your front office teams to deepen their relationships with customers and provide a best-in-class experience, and your back office teams to work efficiently without manual or duplicate entry. Bravo was built in-house on one code base, which means you get a unified experience that’s easier for your team to adopt and use.
Overview of FastBound
FastBound is not a true point of sale system. Rather, it is a web-based firearms compliance software program that helps support firearm transactions. It includes features like 4473, digital 4473 NICS check, gun transfers, A&D book and gun repairs. It also has some reporting functionality.
FastBound users must also implement a separate point of sale to manage inventory and carry out in-store and eCommerce operations. Because of that, using FastBound may present a steeper learning curve and require more admin resources or more budget because users must learn and manage multiple systems. It might also cause business interruptions if the API or integration between the point of sale and FastBound is unstable.
To help you understand the difference in value and cost of ownership between Bravo and FastBound, let’s break down the differences in features, functionality and cost.
Compare Bravo Point of Sale and FastBound firearms compliance program
Capabilities
Your point of sale is the foundation of your operations. It should keep you organized, increase efficiency, give leadership clear direction on how to grow revenue, and scale with your growth. See how Bravo Point of Sale and FastBound firearms compliance software compare across some of the most critical CRM capabilities.
All-in-one Platform
Bravo Point of Sale platform was built by in-house developers from the ground up. This means that users have all the features and functionality in one platform. Customers don't need to switch between multiple systems or perform manual work or duplicate entry; ATF violations are mitigated because human error is less likely and blind spots are eliminated because all customer, store, company and transaction data lives in one centralized system.
One of the greatest benefits of using Bravo’s all in one Point of Sale is that you don’t need to rely on 3rd party integrations or bolt on solutions, and you’re able to work with one company rather than managing multiple vendors. The result is a unified and consistent user experience where data, reporting, and individual tools are all similar and work in concert with each other.
FastBound offers a wide variety of FFL compliance features, but it is not a point of sale program. The cost of usability and maintenance can be higher because users must also find a point of sale provider to operate their in-store and online business. This creates a less integrated user experience for employees. When systems are less integrated together, your data, channels, and teams become disjointed. The result is that your employee and customer experience may suffer, risk for ATF violations increases and efficiency is reduced.
Bravo Point of Sale and FastBound both offer FFL compliance features and functionality critical for gun stores. But they are ultimately two very different types of software and are built differently. Choosing an all-on-one point of sale for your teams to use will not only unite your work and data, but also create a better end-to-end customer experience.
"This software does it all. Bravo automated my ATF log book, saving me 30 minutes daily."
- Sam R., Owner at Sam's Locker & More
"We don’t just sell firearms. We love them. We won’t carry anything we wouldn’t shoot. I chose Bravo because it integrates my e-commerce, inventory control, and employee “to-do list,” which ensures my shop is being run more efficiently."
- Greg F. Owner at American Pawn & Gun
Support That Scales With You
Bravo is invested in your success from day one. Our incredible Support team is available to all customers– with phone, email and ticket support at no extra charge – and you won’t pay more for it as you grow. You also have access to our Knowledge Base Solution Center, with thousands of how-to videos and guides so you can get questions answered 24/7. Bravo Support maintains a Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) score of 95 or higher and is consistently applauded by customers on 3rd party review sites.
We also understand that you’re busy. You don’t always have time to file a support ticket. You’re also extremely smart and can find answers on your own. Search Bravo’s comprehensive Solution Center Knowledge Base to answer any question you might have about our products, features and functionality. Solution Center articles include step by step guides and how-to videos that walk you through how accomplish just about anything you need in Bravo Point of Sale.
FastBound includes support for its program at no additional charge. Users might not receive support for their point of a sale because it is provided by another company. You’ll want to assess support costs for additional systems required to run FastBound.
"The Bravo Team and especially my account manager was helpful, humble, and happy to talk to me. If we need anything, Bravo takes care of us."
- Russell N., Owner at Boaz Gun and Pawn
“Bravo’s Customer Service is world-class. They are timely, responsive, and they care about what the store owners say. Using Bravo as a single-store operator, it gives us the technological advantage of a 1,000-store corporation. We knew that Bravo was a great partner and they’ve never let us down.”
- Susan & Alex L., Owners at Patriot Gun
Switching from FastBound to Bravo Point of Sale
Bravo’s dedicated conversion team is here to help you confidently move your team onto Bravo Point of Sale with minimal disruption to your business. Below is a quick glance at our proven phased approach for switching. Learn about Bravo’s Onboarding, Training and Conversion Process for FFLs.
What are customers saying?
Bravo is trusted by more than 1,500 businesses globally. Bravo has extremely high customer ratings on several 3rd party review sites. Check out ratings and customer reviews:
You can also hear from customers and read their stories on BravoStoreSystems.com.
A Community That Has Your Back
Bravo Store Systems Partners
Bravo has built a network of industry partners including FFL Consultants, Rick Vasquez firearms training and consulting, Navy Seal C4 foundation and many others. Whether you need compliance consulting, legal advice, ATF audit assistance or firearms training, our partners are ready to provide the assistance you need at discounted rates.
Bravo Facebook Community
Our community is there when you need them. Whether it’s getting set up or figuring out the best way to use features and functionality for your needs, there are hundreds of Bravo customers and Facebook group moderators available 24/7 to answer questions, provide recommendations and share ideas.
See the benefits of operating with Bravo Point of Sale today.
About the Author
As Head of Product Management at Bravo, Kristy is responsible for leading Bravo's development roadmap. Kristy has over 15 years of experience working across all levels of pawn and FFL. Having worked as a pawnbroker and in sales and product development for multiple pawn software companies, including PawnMaster, she's a pro at understanding industry trends and market outlooks, and how that can impact Bravo customers. She is a product expert who knows what matters to pawnbrokers, and is known to go above and beyond to help develop the best solutions for their needs.
Kristy holds Masters certificates in Internet Marketing from the University of San Francisco and UX Design from the UX Design Institute in NY. She lives in Stoddard, WI with her husband, son, dog and two cats.
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