eLeaP Learning Management System™

Learning Management System - LMS
The Way a Learning Management System Should Be!
 
eLeaP Complete Learning Management Solution (www.eleapsoftware.com) is deliberately designed to be a complete, secure and easy to use LMS platform which enables anyone to quickly create and manage e-learning and web-based training in a cost effective and non-complicated manner.
   
Learning Management Systems can be tricky and complicated. From mapping your specifications, selecting an LMS vendor to setting up your learning management solution, creating your training and e-learning courses and then launching your e-learning program, you will experience challenges along the way. By spending some time to understand what learning management systems are, what to look for and how to select a vendor, you will save considerable headache down the road.
 

What is a learning management system (LMS)?

According to Wikipedia, a learning management system is a "term used to describe software tools designed to manage user learning interventions". I would like to add that learning management systems exist to help organizations easily create, deploy and manage learning and e-training. There has been a growing trend for learning management systems to be web-based applications. This means all you need to conduct e-learning, is a web browser and an LMS account, and you can begin utilizing a learning management application for training and e-learning. Increasingly organizations are having to deal with managing growing numbers of remote employees, partners, customers and suppliers. To be able to track and manage all your e-learning training, organizations are turning to learning management systems, especially web-based LMS applications. These web-based hosted LMS's provide instant access 24/7.

What to look for when selecting or implementing learning management systems?

Learning management systems can be powerful tools for e-learning but they have had some resistance to adopting them. Why? them?

Because:

  • Only 24% of LMS buyers are satisfied with their purchase
  • 25% of LMS buyers are dissatisfied with their learning management system
  • About 25% of all LMS buyers plan to switch vendors

At first glance these numbers can be disconcerting however...

For those Learning Management System (LMS) customers who are satisfied with their training software investment, they are planning to increase this investment in subsequent years. Some customers plan to roll out their LMS's program to other divisions of the their operations. Remember, since LMS's are mainly web-based, you can easily implement them across time zones and geographical regions.

Are you thinking about switching your LMS vendor or maybe you are ready to take the e-learning plunge? Here are some important tips to keep in mind.

Purchasing an LMS? What you need to know - LMS Vendor Features:

  1. LMS Uptime record: Uptime refers to reliability of your LMS vendor's web servers. Do they experience interruptions in services? If you try to access your training and your browser keeps timing out or the web server is unavailable, then you might need to switch. You need to ask your prospective vendor about their uptime record. You can also access public sites like Netcraft to do independent research on uptime.
  2. Scalability: Can your LMS provider grow with your organization? You started at 25 employees but your business has expanded to over 4000, can your learning management system absorb your growing user base? How much more would it cost? How reliable is the capacity of the system to absorb the increasing levels of usage?
  3. E-Learning Standards Compliance: Perhaps you have heard about SCORM? What about AICC? Is your learning management system compliant with these government mandated e-learning standards? Is your LMS SCORM or AICC compliant? How about your authoring program?
  4. Data Exchange: Does your LMS provider allow you to download data/reports from your account? Can the learning management system easily interface with your HR information system? How easy is it to upload your content and user list? Can user self-enroll for courses/training in your LMS?
  5. E-Commerce Capability: For some content providers, e-Commerce (selling courses or trainings) is an absolute must. Does your LMS provider have e-Commerce capability? Is it easy to integrate into your existing website?
  6. LMS Security: With phishing and data security being increasingly threatened on the Internet, your LMS should make security a cornerstone of their service. Does your LMS come with SSL encryption? How about password integrity? How is this maintained? Can you instantly activate and deactivate user accounts easily?
  7. Financial Solvency: Is your LMS provider some kid with a computer in the basement? How many years has your LMS been in business? Ask for and follow up on all business references.
  8. LMS Support and Customer Service: Once you have purchased the learning management system does your LMS vendor disappear? How is their customer service like? Do they provide online or live customer support? How about a knowledge center to help you get answers to technical questions?
  9. LMS Cost: What is the total cost of ownership? Are there hidden charges or fees? What about set up fees? Is maintenance free? How about customer support? Do you have to pay for technical assistance? Make sure you get in writing all costs associated with your LMS purchase.
  10. LMS Software Updates: Is your training software vendor a one trick pony? Do they have plans to improve or upgrade the LMS platform? What will it cost you to get upgrades? This is where the Software as a Service (SaaS) business model makes sense. Is your Learning management System vendor a SaaS LMS provider?

Carefully consider all 10 questions or criteria before making your e-learning purchase decision. Remember to take advantage free trials of LMS vendors. Test drive the system before you commit to purchasing the e-learning management system.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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