HiFlow Solutions
HiFlow Solutions provides a comprehensive management information system designed to automate end-to-end workflows for packaging, labeling, and commercial printing companies to improve visibility and operational control.
Tharstern
Tharstern provides cloud-native management information systems designed to help print service providers automate their entire workflow from initial estimating and job submission through to final delivery and invoicing.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | HiFlow Solutions | Tharstern |
|---|---|---|
| Website | hiflowsolutions.com | tharstern.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Custom |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore, USA | Colne, United Kingdom |
Overview
HiFlow Solutions
HiFlow Solutions is an end-to-end Management Information System (MIS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform built specifically for the printing and packaging industry. You can manage your entire production lifecycle from a single interface, starting from initial cost estimation and quoting through to final shipping and invoicing. It eliminates manual data entry by connecting your office staff directly with the shop floor, ensuring everyone sees the same real-time data.
The platform helps you solve complex scheduling challenges and inventory bottlenecks common in high-volume print environments. Whether you specialize in flexible packaging, folding cartons, or commercial labels, you can use the software to track material usage, monitor machine performance, and calculate precise job costs. It is designed for mid-to-large scale printing operations that need to replace fragmented legacy systems with a unified digital workflow.
Tharstern
Tharstern is a specialized management information system (MIS) built specifically for the printing and packaging industry. You can manage your entire production cycle within a single platform, starting from complex multi-part estimating to automated job scheduling and real-time inventory tracking. By centralizing your data, you eliminate manual entry errors and gain a clear view of your shop floor's performance and profitability.
The software is designed for commercial printers, label manufacturers, and large-format specialists who need to scale their operations. You can integrate it with your existing prepress and finishing equipment to create a fully connected 'smart factory' environment. It helps you reduce waste, speed up turnaround times, and provide more accurate quotes to your customers instantly.
Overview
HiFlow Solutions Features
- Smart Estimating Generate accurate quotes in seconds by pulling real-time data on material costs, labor rates, and machine speeds.
- Shop Floor Control Monitor your production lines in real-time with digital touchscreens that track job progress and machine downtime instantly.
- Automated Scheduling Optimize your press runs with drag-and-drop scheduling tools that account for job priority and material availability.
- Inventory Management Track your paper rolls, inks, and substrates with barcode scanning to prevent stockouts and reduce material waste.
- Business Intelligence Access visual dashboards that show your most profitable jobs and identify bottlenecks in your production workflow.
- CRM Integration Manage your customer relationships and sales pipeline directly within the same system used for production.
Tharstern Features
- Dynamic Estimating. Generate accurate quotes for complex print jobs in seconds by automating your material costs and labor calculations.
- Live Job Tracking. Monitor the real-time status of every project on your shop floor so you can proactively manage deadlines.
- Inventory Management. Track paper stocks, inks, and consumables automatically to ensure you never run out of materials during a critical run.
- Automated Scheduling. Optimize your press time with intelligent scheduling tools that account for machine availability and job priority.
- CRM Integration. Manage your customer relationships and sales pipeline directly alongside your production data for better client communication.
- Business Intelligence. Access visual dashboards and detailed reports to analyze your profit margins and identify bottlenecks in your workflow.
Pricing Comparison
HiFlow Solutions Pricing
Tharstern Pricing
Pros & Cons
HiFlow Solutions
Pros
- Deeply specialized for complex packaging and labeling workflows
- Real-time data synchronization between office and shop floor
- Highly customizable modules to fit specific plant layouts
- Excellent visibility into true job costing and margins
Cons
- Significant time investment required for initial system setup
- Higher price point compared to generic management tools
- Learning curve for staff transitioning from manual processes
Tharstern
Pros
- Highly specialized for complex print and packaging workflows
- Excellent integration capabilities with industry-standard prepress hardware
- Detailed reporting provides deep insights into job profitability
- Scalable architecture grows alongside your business expansion
Cons
- Significant time investment required for initial configuration
- Higher price point compared to generic ERP solutions
- Steep learning curve for staff during implementation phase