What specific accounting software is Brightstar Care currently designating that franchisees must use?
Brightstar_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must use the Athena Business System ("ABS"), the accounting software we designate (currently Microsoft Dynamics GP, also referred to as the Great Plains accounting software), the learning management software we designate (to support federal, state, and local license training requirements and other matters), and the required supporting hardware and software to operate your Agency. You will have the option to request our permission to use an alternative vendor for payroll services. If we grant your written request, you will be allowed to use such vendor's payroll software and will not be required to use ABS's payroll-related functions. You must obtain your accounting software and each application and collection software from us or our affiliates, or any third party we may designate and the ABS from us or our affiliates, currently BrightStar Technology. You must also purchase at your sole expense any software necessary to meet state-specific requirements of a state program or segment of business unique to your location and/or state.
In addition to the software, you must obtain from us, our affiliates, or any third party we designate, you must purchase and use any computer system or software application we develop or select, including all future updates, supplements, and modifications. You must also purchase appropriate computer hardware and software infrastructure for your local office use (the Computer Infrastructure Package). You must acquire appropriate business class internet access from a third party; that access must include small office firewall for internet security. In addition, in conjunction with our ABS Mobile platform, we recommend the purchase of mobile tablets with a keyboard and/or laptops for your Director(s) of Nursing.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 41–44)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Brightstar Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to use the Athena Business System (ABS) for accounting purposes. The specific accounting software designated within ABS is Microsoft Dynamics GP, which is also referred to as the Great Plains accounting software. Franchisees must also use the learning management software designated by Brightstar Care to support federal, state, and local license training requirements. Additionally, franchisees need to acquire the necessary supporting hardware and software to operate their Brightstar Care agency. Franchisees must obtain their accounting software and each application and collection software from Brightstar Care or their affiliates, or any third party they may designate, and the ABS from Brightstar Technology. Franchisees are also responsible for purchasing any software required to meet state-specific requirements for programs or business segments unique to their location and/or state.
In addition to the mandated software, Brightstar Care franchisees must purchase and use any computer system or software application developed or selected by the franchisor, including all future updates, supplements, and modifications. Franchisees are also required to purchase appropriate computer hardware and software infrastructure for their local office use, referred to as the Computer Infrastructure Package. Furthermore, franchisees must secure business-class internet access from a third-party provider, which includes a small office firewall for internet security. Brightstar Care recommends the purchase of mobile tablets with a keyboard and/or laptops for the Director(s) of Nursing to support the ABS Mobile platform.
While franchisees are mandated to use specific software and systems, they have the option to request permission to use an alternative vendor for payroll services. If Brightstar Care approves this request in writing, franchisees can use the alternative vendor's payroll software and will not be required to use ABS's payroll-related functions. This provides a degree of flexibility for franchisees who may have specific payroll service preferences or needs, although the core accounting software remains a requirement.