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 a specialized management information system designed to help print, packaging, and labeling companies automate their entire production workflow from initial quoting through to final distribution.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | HiFlow Solutions | Tharstern |
|---|---|---|
| Website | hiflowsolutions.com | thartstern.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 comprehensive Management Information System (MIS) built specifically for the unique demands of the printing and packaging industries. You can move away from manual spreadsheets and disconnected tools by centralizing your entire operation into a single platform. It allows you to manage complex estimating, live job tracking, and inventory levels with real-time data, ensuring your shop floor stays synchronized with your front office.
You can use the platform to automate repetitive administrative tasks and gain deep insights into your profit margins on every job. Whether you specialize in digital, litho, large format, or labels, the software adapts to your specific manufacturing processes. It helps you reduce touchpoints in your workflow, allowing your team to process more orders in less time while maintaining high accuracy in your job costing.
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
- Smart Estimating. Generate accurate quotes in seconds for complex print jobs by automatically calculating material costs, labor, and machine time.
- Live Job Tracking. Monitor the real-time status of every project on your shop floor so you can provide customers with instant updates.
- Inventory Management. Track your paper stock and consumables automatically to prevent production delays and reduce waste from over-ordering.
- CRM & Sales. Manage your customer relationships and sales pipeline within the same system used for production and billing.
- Automated Scheduling. Optimize your press room schedule with drag-and-drop tools that account for machine availability and job deadlines.
- Business Intelligence. Access visual dashboards that show your most profitable jobs and identify bottlenecks in your manufacturing process.
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 requirements
- Excellent integration capabilities with prepress and production hardware
- Detailed reporting provides deep visibility into job profitability
- Responsive customer support team with deep industry knowledge
Cons
- Significant time investment required for initial system configuration
- Learning curve is steep due to the extensive feature set
- Pricing is high compared to generic small-business software