Hightail - Detailed Review
Collaboration Tools
Hightail - Product Overview
Overview
Hightail is a cloud-based collaboration tool that specializes in facilitating the sharing, discussion, improvement, and approval of visual content and other multimedia files. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Hightail is designed to streamline the creative review and approval process. It allows teams to share, discuss, and approve visual ideas efficiently, regardless of the file type. This includes managing ongoing creative projects, collecting feedback, and routing content for approval, all within a single platform.
Target Audience
Hightail is primarily used by companies in the Marketing and Advertising, Entertainment, and Information Technology and Services industries. The tool is most often utilized by businesses with 10-50 employees and revenues between $1 million and $10 million, although it also serves larger enterprises with over 1,000 employees.
Key Features
File Sharing and Collaboration
Hightail enables users to send, receive, edit, and synchronize files securely, with support for files up to 500GB. It integrates with other services like Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Visual File Previews
Users can view high-resolution previews of files without downloading them, which includes video and audio files with specific timecodes for feedback.
Feedback and Approval
The platform allows for precise feedback collection, freehand annotations, and side-by-side version comparisons. It also features approval routing and one-click approvals to keep the review process organized.
Version Control
Hightail ensures that all feedback is left on the latest file version, with clear markings of approvals and access to archived versions.
Real-Time Conversations and Notifications
Comments and updates are recorded in real-time, with email notifications to keep team members informed about project updates.
Task Management
The tool includes features like @mentions, task assignments, and due dates to keep team members accountable and on track.
Security
Hightail offers secure file sharing with password protection, permission settings, and expiration dates. It also supports two-factor authentication and single sign-on through SAML and Active Directory.
Conclusion
Overall, Hightail is a comprehensive solution for creative teams and businesses looking to streamline their collaboration and review processes, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and clear communication.
Hightail - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Hightail
The user interface of Hightail, a cloud service for file sharing and creative collaboration, is generally designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, although there are some varied experiences reported by users.
Ease of Use
Hightail is praised for its ease of use, particularly in sharing large files. Users can upload files to Hightail’s servers and share them via a link, which recipients can access without needing to create an account or install any software. This simplicity is a significant advantage, making it easy for both senders and recipients to manage files.
User Interface
The interface allows users to manage files through an online folder system, desktop folders, or mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. Hightail also integrates with various business applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and Yahoo Mail, enabling users to send files directly from these platforms. This integration helps streamline workflows and keeps the creative review process focused.
Collaboration Features
Hightail is built for collaboration across diverse teams, including internal and external stakeholders. Users can create “Spaces” for projects, assign different permission levels, and use features like Uplink to help users with lower-tier subscriptions upload large files. The platform also supports guest commenting, allowing executives or external reviewers to provide feedback without needing a full account.
Feedback and Reviews
The platform includes tools for leaving feedback, such as the ability to draw on the screen or leave comments at specific points in a video. However, some users have reported that clients can be confused about how to leave feedback, particularly if they do not click on the actual screen of the video before typing their comments.
User Experience
Overall, the user experience is generally positive, with many users appreciating the speed and security of the service. Hightail’s ability to handle large files, provide instant recipient notifications, and track file access is highly valued. However, there are some areas of improvement noted, such as the occasional confusion with the introductory email for new users and some issues with customer support.
Criticisms
Some users have reported issues such as links expiring quickly, problems with the desktop app, and confusion with the welcome email for new users. Additionally, there have been complaints about the customer support being less interactive and sometimes unhelpful.
Conclusion
In summary, Hightail’s user interface is designed to be easy to use, with a focus on seamless file sharing and collaboration. While it offers many beneficial features, there are some areas where the user experience could be improved, particularly in terms of onboarding new users and customer support.
Hightail - Key Features and Functionality
Overview
Hightail, a cloud-based collaboration tool, offers a range of features that facilitate efficient file sharing, collaboration, and project management, particularly for creative and marketing teams. Here are the key features and how they work:
File Sharing and Storage
Hightail allows users to upload and share files of any format, up to 500GB, with both internal and external collaborators. Files are stored securely on Hightail’s servers, and users can manage them through an online folder system or desktop and mobile applications.
Security and Access Control
Hightail provides strong security features, including 256-bit AES encryption for data in transit and at rest, as well as support for forward secrecy. Users can protect files with access codes, specify permissions (e.g., view-only or modify), and set expiration dates. The service also supports single sign-on (SSO) via Active Directory and two-factor authentication to ensure secure access.
Collaboration and Feedback
Hightail enables seamless collaboration by allowing teams to share files and collect feedback in one place. Users can leave in-line comments on images and timestamped feedback on videos and other files. The platform supports real-time conversations and notifications, keeping all stakeholders informed and aligned.
Visual File Previews
Users can access high-resolution previews of images and video streams without needing to download the files. This feature is particularly useful for creative teams who need to review and approve visual content quickly.
Version Control and Approval Workflows
Hightail ensures that all reviewers work on the latest version of a file. The platform supports version control, allowing users to access archived versions and comments. Approval workflows can be initiated directly from the platform, with clear routing and one-click approvals.
Organization and Archiving
Files and projects can be organized into workspaces, file groups, and projects. Completed files can be archived, keeping the workspace clutter-free and making it easier to find relevant files.
External Collaboration
Hightail facilitates collaboration with external teams or stakeholders without requiring them to have a specific license. Guest access allows external collaborators to view, comment, and download content without needing login credentials.
Task Management and Notifications
Users can set tasks, follow-ups, and @mention notifications to keep team members informed about their responsibilities. The platform also provides activity and team dashboards to monitor ongoing tasks and project status.
Integration with Other Tools
Hightail integrates with various business applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and OpenText Media Management. This integration allows for seamless file sharing and collaboration directly from these applications.
AI Integration
While the primary features of Hightail are not explicitly driven by AI, the platform’s integration with other tools like Zapier can leverage AI models for automation. For example, using Zapier, users can automate workflows involving Hightail by extracting, summarizing, and transforming data with AI models like OpenAI.
Conclusion
In summary, Hightail is a comprehensive collaboration tool that enhances productivity by providing secure, organized, and efficient ways to share files, collect feedback, and manage projects, making it an invaluable resource for creative and marketing teams.
Hightail - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Hightail, formerly known as YouSendIt, has undergone significant transformations to enhance its performance. Here are some key aspects:File Sharing and Collaboration
Hightail is praised for its ability to streamline the creative process by allowing teams to share large, multimedia files efficiently. It offers a desktop application that simplifies file sending without the need to log in via a browser.Cloud Migration
Hightail’s migration to AWS has significantly improved its performance, reliability, and uptime. This move has resulted in upload and download speeds up to 17 times faster than their previous data centers, and the time to deploy services to a new region has been reduced by more than 90%. However, there are some performance issues that have been reported:Download Speeds
Some users have experienced drastically slow download speeds, often at 1-5% of their available bandwidth. This has led to prolonged download times, which can be frustrating for users who need to transfer large files quickly.Support and Transparency
There have been complaints about the lack of transparency and professionalism in Hightail’s support. Users have reported that the company’s status page is not regularly updated, and support agents have denied existing problems despite evidence to the contrary.Accuracy and Reliability
In terms of accuracy and reliability, Hightail generally fares well in its core functions:Content Reviews and Approvals
Hightail is effective in facilitating precise feedback and approval processes for creative content. It provides a centralized platform where teams can manage projects from start to finish. However, the reliability of the service can be impacted by the aforementioned performance issues, such as slow download speeds and lack of transparency in support.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Speed and Bandwidth Utilization
The most critical limitation is the inconsistent and often slow download speeds, which can hinder the efficiency of file transfers.Support Quality
Improving the support experience and ensuring that the status page is regularly updated can enhance user trust and satisfaction.User Interface
Some users have found the interface unintuitive, particularly for those who are not highly computer savvy. Simplifying the user experience could make the service more accessible. In summary, while Hightail excels in streamlining creative collaboration and has seen improvements in performance since its migration to AWS, it faces challenges related to download speeds and support quality. Addressing these issues could significantly enhance the overall user experience and reliability of the service. Hightail - Pricing and Plans
Plans and Pricing
Hightail offers several plans to cater to different user needs, ranging from individual use to entire organizations.Lite Plan
- Price: Free
- Features: This plan allows you to send files up to 100MB each, with a maximum storage of 2GB. Files expire after 7 days.
Pro Plan
- Price: $15 per user, per month
- Features: This plan includes secure and easy file sharing, the ability to send files up to 25GB each, unlimited storage, and advanced security permissions such as expiration dates and access codes. Additional features include automatic delivery notifications and file tracking.
Teams Plan
- Price: $24 per user, per month (or $30 as per some sources)
- Features: This plan is suitable for small teams (up to 30 users per organization). It includes file sharing, real-time collaboration, and project management features. Users can send files up to 50GB each, with unlimited storage. Other features include file previews, organization, annotations, version control, discussions, follow-ups, and approval routing.
Business Plan
- Price: $45 per user, per month (minimum 3 users)
- Features: This plan is designed for entire organizations and includes advanced file sharing, collaboration, and creative project management features. Users can create unlimited visual project folders (called “Spaces”), upload files up to 100GB each, and protect them with access codes and user permissions. Additional features include approval routing, assigning to-dos, intuitive admin controls, detailed activity analysis, and priority support.
Free Trial
Hightail also offers a free trial for the Business plan, allowing you to test the features before committing to a purchase. By choosing the plan that best fits your needs, you can leverage Hightail’s features to enhance your file sharing, collaboration, and project management capabilities. Hightail - Integration and Compatibility
Hightail Overview
Hightail, a cloud-based file sharing and collaboration tool, integrates seamlessly with a variety of other tools and platforms, enhancing its utility across different environments.
Integrations with Other Tools
Hightail can be integrated with numerous popular applications using the Zapier workflow automation platform. Some of the most popular integrations include:
- Asana: For project management, allowing you to automate tasks and workflows between the two platforms.
- Discord: For team chat, enabling real-time communication and collaboration.
- Microsoft Teams: For video conferencing and team collaboration, streamlining communication and project management.
- monday.com: For project management, automating the creation of Hightail spaces when new monday.com boards are created.
- Basecamp 3: For project management, allowing the creation of to-dos and messages based on Hightail activities.
- Slack: For team chat, sending channel messages in Slack for new comments in Hightail.
- Trello: For task management, integrating Hightail with Trello boards and tasks.
- Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive: For cloud storage, enabling the import and synchronization of files from these services.
Workflow Automation
Using Zapier, you can automate various workflows with Hightail, such as:
- Creating new Hightail projects, spaces, or file groups based on triggers from other apps.
- Sending notifications or creating tasks in other apps when there are new comments, approval requests, or project updates in Hightail.
Compatibility Across Platforms and Devices
Hightail is highly compatible across various devices and platforms:
- iOS and iPadOS: The Hightail app is available on the App Store, allowing users to preview files, check project updates, approve files, and add comments on the go. It requires iOS 14.0 or later.
- Mac: The app is compatible with macOS 11.0 or later and requires a Mac with an Apple M1 chip or later.
- Web: Hightail can be accessed via its web interface, allowing users to manage files, projects, and collaborations from any web browser.
Additional Features
Hightail also supports real-time notifications, file version control, and the ability to sync files from multiple cloud storage services. This ensures that teams can collaborate efficiently, regardless of their location or the devices they use.
Conclusion
In summary, Hightail’s integration capabilities and cross-platform compatibility make it a versatile tool for collaborative file sharing and project management, suitable for a wide range of users and workflows.
Hightail - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
Phone Support
You can contact Hightail’s customer service team via phone using the toll-free number (866) 558-7363 for US-based support. For international support, you can call (408) 692-7118. Monday is typically the busiest day, while Saturdays and Sundays have the shortest wait times.
Email Support
For written inquiries, you can email the customer service team at support@hightail.com. There are also specific email addresses for different types of inquiries, such as partners@opentext.com for business customer support and hr@opentext.com for career-related questions.
Live Chat and Ticket System
On the Hightail website, you can access live chat support or submit a ticket to the support team. This service is available 7 days a week from 2 am to 8 pm PT.
Additional Resources
Help Center
Hightail provides a comprehensive Help Center where users can find answers to common questions, troubleshooting tips, and guides on how to use the platform effectively.
Online Forms
For technical support or other specific inquiries, users can fill out online forms available on the Hightail website by clicking the “Contact Sales” or “Support” buttons.
Uplink Feature
This feature allows users to receive files from clients, partners, or teammates by sharing a personalized URL. This can be particularly useful for creative collaborations and file sharing.
Branding and Customization
Users, especially those with Pro, Teams, or Business accounts, can customize their branding within Hightail. This includes updating logos and email footers to maintain a consistent brand image when sharing content.
Approval Requests and Feedback Management
Hightail offers features for approval requests, allowing clients to give quick approvals with a single click. Users can also set up a chain of approval requests and manage client feedback by marking comments as tasks and resolving them.
Portfolio Creation
Hightail provides a simple way to create and share portfolios, even with a free Lite account. Users can create a Space, add files, and share the link with others. For more advanced features like branding and permissions, users can opt for Teams or Business accounts.
Activity Tracking
Users can track who has viewed and downloaded files, ensuring they know the status of their shared content at all times.
By leveraging these support options and resources, users can efficiently manage their file sharing, collaboration, and creative projects on the Hightail platform.
Hightail - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Hightail
Efficient Collaboration
Hightail streamlines the creative review and approval process by keeping all feedback in one place. This eliminates miscommunication and ensures that all team members, including internal and external stakeholders, are on the same page.File Sharing and Storage
Hightail allows users to share files of any format up to 500GB, with features like password protection, permission settings, and expiration dates. It also provides unlimited storage for creative projects, making it ideal for handling large multimedia files.Real-Time Feedback and Version Control
The platform enables real-time feedback collection, with features such as in-line image feedback, timestamped comments on videos and audio, and automatic notifications. This ensures that reviewers leave feedback on the latest file version, reducing the need for multiple rounds of revisions.Integration with Other Tools
Hightail integrates seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud and Outlook, allowing designers to respond to feedback and sync file changes without leaving their Adobe applications. This integration helps streamline workflows and keeps the team focused on creative development.Accountability and Task Management
Hightail helps keep team members accountable by allowing them to assign tasks, set follow-ups, and route approvals with due dates. The @mention feature facilitates easy communication, and activity dashboards help monitor team activity and outstanding tasks.Security
The platform offers secure file sharing with 256-bit AES encryption, password protection, and single sign-on capabilities through SAML and Active Directory. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to user accounts.Disadvantages of Hightail
User Permission Limitations
Users with different subscription tiers have varying levels of permissions. For example, Hightail Lite users have limited storage and upload capabilities compared to higher-tier users. This can create some logistical challenges when managing projects across different user types.Link Expiration
Some users have reported that shared links expire quickly, which can be inconvenient for recipients who may not access the files immediately.Support Issues
There have been complaints about the customer support team not being very interactive or responsive, which can be frustrating for users encountering issues.Onboarding New Users
Adding new team members to a Space can be confusing, especially with the formatting of the introductory email. This may require additional communication to help new users get started.Technical Issues
Some users have experienced technical issues, such as a persistent “calculate” message that can interrupt the file-sharing process. This can be frustrating and may require restarting the process. Overall, Hightail is a strong tool for collaborative projects, especially those involving large multimedia files, but it does come with some limitations and areas for improvement. Hightail - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Hightail with Other Collaboration Tools
When comparing Hightail with other collaboration tools in the AI-driven product category, several key features and alternatives stand out.
Hightail Unique Features
Hightail, now part of OpenText, is specifically designed for creative teams and excels in several areas:
- Visual Feedback and Approval: Hightail allows teams to share, discuss, improve, and approve visual ideas efficiently. It provides high-resolution previews and streams of files directly in the browser, eliminating the need to download large files.
- Realtime Feedback and Notifications: The platform collects feedback from multiple reviewers in real-time, including in-line image feedback and timestamped comments on videos and audio files. This ensures that all feedback is centralized and easily accessible.
- Version Control and Approval Routing: Hightail ensures that reviewers work on the latest file version and provides clear approval routing, keeping teams informed about the status of creative assets.
- Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud: Hightail offers a plugin for Adobe Creative Cloud applications, allowing designers to respond to feedback and sync file changes without leaving the Adobe application.
Alternatives and Comparisons
Figma
Figma is another powerful tool for creative teams, particularly those focused on design collaboration. It uses AI to provide real-time design feedback, version control, and smart layout suggestions. Unlike Hightail, Figma is more specialized in design tasks and automates repetitive design tasks like resizing elements or generating design variations.
Miro
Miro is a visual collaboration platform that uses AI for smart drawing and diagramming. It helps teams collaborate visually on projects and brainstorming sessions, organizing and prioritizing ideas generated during these sessions. While Miro is strong in visual brainstorming, it does not offer the same level of feedback and approval features as Hightail.
Taskade
Taskade is an all-in-one workspace platform that integrates project management, task organization, and team communication with AI enhancements. It offers AI-powered workflow generation, content generation, and idea brainstorming, but it is more generalized and not specifically tailored for creative asset review and approval like Hightail. Taskade’s strength lies in its adaptability to various workflow styles and its integrated chat and video conferencing tools.
Asana and Monday.com
Asana and Monday.com are project management tools that use AI to prioritize tasks, automate workflows, and provide insights into project progress. While they are excellent for overall project management, they lack the specialized features for creative asset review and approval that Hightail provides. These tools are more suited for broader project management needs rather than the specific requirements of creative teams.
Conclusion
Hightail stands out for its focus on creative collaboration, particularly in the review and approval process of visual ideas. Its unique features such as high-resolution previews, real-time feedback, and integration with Adobe Creative Cloud make it an ideal choice for creative teams. However, for teams with broader project management needs or different collaboration requirements, alternatives like Figma, Miro, Taskade, Asana, or Monday.com might be more suitable. Each tool has its strengths and is tailored to different aspects of team collaboration and project management.
Hightail - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hightail and what is it used for?
Hightail is a cloud-based collaboration tool that helps teams share, discuss, and approve digital content efficiently. It is particularly useful for creative teams and marketing partners who need to manage multiple rounds of feedback on creative assets such as images, videos, and audio files.
How does Hightail simplify the creative review and approval process?
Hightail streamlines the creative review and approval process by keeping all feedback in one place. It allows reviewers to leave precise feedback directly on the files, including in-line image feedback and timestamped comments on videos and audio. This eliminates the need for tedious email discussions and version control issues, ensuring everyone is working on the latest file version.
What are the different pricing plans available for Hightail?
Hightail offers several pricing plans:
- Lite: Free, allows file sharing up to 100MB, with 2GB storage.
- Pro: $15 per user/month, includes secure and easy file sharing with up to 25GB file size and unlimited storage.
- Teams: $24 per user/month, includes file sharing, collaboration, and project management for small teams (up to 30 users).
- Business: $45 per user/month (minimum 3 users), includes advanced features for entire organizations.
Can users without a Hightail account contribute to projects?
Yes, users without a Hightail account can still contribute to projects. For instance, files shared via Spaces can be previewed, downloaded, and commented on without the need for an account. However, for more detailed tracking and contribution, it is beneficial for reviewers to sign in to their personal Hightail accounts.
How does Hightail handle file sharing and storage?
Hightail allows secure file sharing of any format, with file sizes up to 500GB depending on the plan. The Pro plan offers unlimited storage, and files can be organized into projects, workspaces, and file groups. Additionally, files can be archived once completed.
What collaboration features does Hightail offer?
Hightail offers several collaboration features, including:
- Realtime conversations and notifications
- @mention notifications and task assignments
- Approval routing and one-click approvals
- Guest access for external collaborators
- Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud applications to sync file changes directly within the Adobe application.
How does Hightail ensure version control and feedback accuracy?
Hightail ensures version control by allowing reviewers to leave feedback directly on the latest file version. The platform also provides a visual version carousel to access archived versions and comments. Precise feedback is facilitated through in-line image feedback and timestamped comments on multimedia files.
Can Hightail be integrated with other tools and services?
Yes, Hightail integrates with various tools and services. For example, it has a plugin for Adobe Creative Cloud applications, allowing designers to respond to feedback and sync file changes without leaving the Adobe application. It also supports single sign-on using SAML and Active Directory.
How secure is Hightail for file sharing and collaboration?
Hightail provides several security features, including password protection, permission settings, expiration dates for files, and two-factor authentication. This ensures that content is controlled and secure during the collaboration process.
What kind of support does Hightail offer to its users?
Hightail is known for its ease of use and strong customer support. Users have praised its simplicity and the quality of support provided, as reflected in high satisfaction scores for customer support and overall functionality.
Hightail - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Hightail in the Collaboration Tools Category
Hightail, now part of OpenText, is a cloud-based collaboration tool that is specifically designed to streamline the creative review and approval process. Here’s a comprehensive assessment of who would benefit most from using Hightail and an overall recommendation.
Key Benefits
- Efficient Collaboration: Hightail allows teams to share and collaborate on digital content more efficiently. It eliminates the need for tedious email discussions and version control issues by keeping all feedback in one place.
- Real-Time Feedback: The platform enables real-time conversations and notifications, allowing reviewers to leave precise feedback on files without needing to download them. This includes in-line image feedback and timestamped comments on videos and audio files.
- Version Control and Approval Routing: Hightail ensures that reviewers work on the latest file version and provides clearly marked approvals and approval routing. This keeps teams informed about the status of assets and when they are final.
- Productivity and Time Savings: By enabling digital review and approvals directly in the cloud, Hightail allows reviewers to provide feedback on their own time, contributing to a single system of record. This speeds up the review process and reduces the number of revisions per project.
- Integration with Creative Tools: Hightail integrates seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, allowing designers to respond to feedback and sync file changes without leaving the Adobe application.
Who Would Benefit Most
Hightail is particularly beneficial for creative teams, marketing agencies, and any organizations involved in the production and review of multimedia content. Here are some specific groups that would find Hightail valuable:
- Creative Teams: Graphic designers, video editors, and other creative professionals who need to collaborate on large multimedia files will appreciate Hightail’s features for real-time feedback, version control, and approval routing.
- Marketing Agencies: Agencies that work with multiple clients and need to manage feedback and approvals efficiently will find Hightail’s centralized collaboration platform invaluable.
- Media and Entertainment Companies: Companies like Fullscreen, which works with clients such as 20th Century Fox and NBCUniversal, can benefit from Hightail’s ability to streamline the creative review process and keep all stakeholders on the same page.
Overall Recommendation
Hightail is a highly recommended tool for any team or organization that needs to collaborate on creative projects involving large multimedia files. Its intuitive interface, real-time feedback capabilities, and integration with creative tools make it an essential asset for streamlining the creative review and approval process.
If you are part of a team that frequently deals with multiple rounds of feedback on visual content, Hightail can significantly reduce the time and effort spent on these tasks. It keeps all team members accountable, ensures that feedback is precise and actionable, and provides a clear outline of asset status. Given its features and benefits, Hightail is an excellent choice for enhancing collaboration and productivity in creative workflows.