The growing demand for learning technologies reflects the enormous change in corporate culture. Workplaces are now distributed far and wide instead of being localized in central offices, as was the case just a few years ago. Skill sets that were considered high in demand are now becoming obsolete due to digital transformation.
Combating these challenges and retaining a talent pool without incorporating the use of an LMS is certainly not an easy task in today’s time and age. Wondering what is LMS and how it can benefit your company? This article delves deeper into the intricacies of learning management systems. Continue reading!
A learning management system (LMS) does exactly what its name implies – it manages the learning process. From course creation to delivery and overall management, an LMS oversees the entire training process for employees.
Earlier, the use of LMS was limited to mainly storing course content in different forms, such as videos, presentations, or text. However, online learning platforms have changed vastly, and currently, they are much more than merely a course storage feature.
Modern platforms come enriched with multiple features that work together to streamline different aspects of learning management. They use advanced tools that enable managers to identify skill gaps, monitor performance, and make the entire learning experience more fruitful and transparent, thereby broadening the definition and meaning of LMS platforms.
LMS Vs. LXP And LCMS
A learning management system is often confused with a learning experience platform (LXP) and a learning content management system (LCM). However, these are vastly different platforms that aim to solve different problems.
LMS Vs. LXP
Let’s start with the LXP vs LMS debate. The former focuses on the learner's experience, while the latter emphasizes managing the creation of the learning experience. In the case of LMS, the main objective is upskilling and onboarding training. On the other hand, LXP is mainly concerned with tailoring the entire experience for learners. It prioritizes employee engagement and creates a personalized learning path for them.
LCM Vs. LMS
The difference between LCM and LMS is quite straightforward. The former is mainly for content authors. It simplifies the process of creating and managing learning content. The latter, on the other hand, is for learners. It works by delivering and managing the company’s learning content.
What Is An Example Of LMS?
The features and benefits of a learning management system (LMS) can be better explained with examples. However, not every LMS has the same set of features, so it may not suit all types of organizations.
A learning management system can help companies in various ways. While an LMS is primarily used to streamline the training process, its actual role may vary depending on the needs of an organization. Continue reading to know what does an LMS do for different companies:
Onboarding And New Employee Training
For starters, you must know that onboarding and new employee training are two different things. The former is geared toward getting the new hires acquainted with the company’s culture and policies, while the latter involves training them on the skills required for their position.
An LMS can help with both onboarding and new employee training. It enables administrators to add specialized courses for new recruits based on their designation, in addition to onboarding material that helps them get started.
Employee Development And Retention
The use of LMS plays a pivotal role in employee development and retention. Through this system, specific courses are assigned to learners to develop and improve their skill set. This feature also helps in keeping the team informed about product changes and compliance knowledge.
Sales Training
This is another area where an LMS can help. It supports customer interaction training, the creation of product knowledge seminars, and case study-based tutorials, all of which aim to equip the salesforce with the desired ammunition to generate more leads and score higher conversions.
Blended Learning
Most LMS management solutions support a blended learning experience. For the uninitiated, blended learning is a combination of a traditional classroom approach and online learning tools. It is often considered more effective compared to face-to-face training as it supports instructor-led training incorporated with digital learning content for customized learning paths.
Incorporating a learning management system in your organization can benefit the following:
Employees
An LMS presents employees with a well-thought-out training plan that elevates their learning and makes them integral to the company’s success. This plan also helps them grow their professional skills and map their career paths.
Managers
An LMS allows managers to track learners’ performance, generate detailed reports, and design the course outline. This gives them an idea about their team members' skill levels, enabling them to allocate tasks accordingly.
Organization
A company benefits by implementing an LMS. As it helps with upskilling and onboarding, employees gain valuable training in different aspects that enhance their performance. Similarly, companies can also use an LMS to conduct a product knowledge training program, which, in turn, helps boost sales and customer support.
Not all LMS platforms are the same. They vary in terms of features included, deployment, and pricing plans. Let’s delve deeper and discuss the main types of learning management systems:
Cloud-Based
As the name suggests, these are hosted on the cloud and, in most cases, follow a software-as-a-service (SAAS model). The system is maintained by service providers. They are also responsible for updates and upgrades. Users can access the system from anywhere with an internet connection using their credentials.
Self-Hosted
A self-hosted learning management system is installed on the organization’s system. Therefore, the company is responsible for its maintenance. Although it offers more control over the system, upgrades and updates may incur additional costs.
Third-Party Hosted
These systems are hosted on a third-party system. Users can obtain courses from the training company’s private cloud, data center, or public cloud location.
Desktop Application
These are deployed on every user’s individual desktop system. However, in most cases, they can be accessed on multiple devices.
Mobile Applications
These systems are specifically designed to support a mobile learning environment, which makes them accessible on the go.
After understanding what is a learning management system and its types in detail, the next step is knowing how an LMS works. It is important to know that different platforms work in different ways. However, here’s a rundown of a typical learning management system:
Generally, an LMS comes with two interfaces: ‘admin view’ and ‘user interface’. The admin view is for managers or trainers to build courses, add material, oversee trainees’ progress, and generate reports. It offers many features that simplify the process for managers.
Trainees have access to the user interface. Through this interface, they can find a list of courses available to them and enroll in the course of their choice. Some platforms also give users the option to create groups organized by designations, specific training needs, or departments. Trainees can also view their progress and fetch performance reports.
Remember that relying on a learning management system that doesn’t align with your organizational goals or is not fit for your company’s scale may prove to be a burden rather than a utility. This is why it is of utmost importance that you choose the right LMS for your business.
However, with so many options available, selecting the right one for your company can be challenging. Consider these factors to make the right call: