In today’s dynamic corporate market, best-in-class training is critical for employees. Furthermore, it is a continual event rather than a one-time occurrence. To achieve the best results, you must select the appropriate online training platforms or Learning Management Systems (LMS).
It enables you to improve employee skill sets, expedite training processes, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning. According to 72% of firms, investing in an LMS yielded a favourable return on investment.
However, selecting the best corporate LMS is not a straightforward process. The task can appear intimidating due to the large number of providers and features to consider. Don’t worry; we’ve created this comprehensive list of LMS needs to serve as your guide when selecting the platform that will work best for your business.
What is a Corporate LMS?
A Corporate LMS is like a personalized tutor for companies, offering tailored training to employees, customers, and partners. It’s a versatile tool, allowing mobile access and custom branding, with features like creating personalized learning paths, tracking progress, managing certifications, and integrating with other software for maximum effectiveness.
Did you know that 83% of organizations already use LMS for corporate training? The global corporate eLearning market is expected to reach $50 billion by 2026.
Checklist for Key LMS Requirements and Features in Corporate
1. Data Security
One major one is data security. You don’t want learners to be concerned about their data being compromised when they sign up for your training program. That is why you need an LMS system that adheres to the highest security standards.
Here’s what you should look for:
- Role-based access control (RBAC) enables administrators to assign unique roles to employees so that they can access various areas of the system.
- Multi-factor authentication protects user accounts against unlawful access.
- Single sign-on (SSO) enables users to log in once with an allocated credential and obtain access to various systems without having to log in individually.
- A backup and disaster recovery system protects data from inadvertent loss due to virus attacks or hardware failures.
After all, training materials are quite confidential for your company and you don’t want to get it disclosed, which may be detrimental to a company or organization if disclosed.
2. Communication & Collaboration
Effective communication is crucial for teamwork to succeed, and an LMS provides a wealth of options to help users keep in touch at all times. For instance, staff members can use the discussion board to express their opinions on a certain subject.
They can collaborate in groups to produce content, share educational resources, and send and receive messages. Other collaboration technologies include video conferencing, discussion forums, audio calls, personal chat, and information sharing. So, while getting a CMS for your business – you need to choose the best LMS with the best communication and collaboration features.
3. Compliance
To ensure that courses are delivered uniformly across systems and platforms, the majority of enterprises require content standardization. However, APIs have recently emerged as a useful tool for developing content standards and relationships across all deployment possibilities.
When selecting an LMS that complies with SCORM, consider the following factors:
- Which versions of SCORM does the LMS support? The most widely used versions are SCORM 2004 Third Edition and SCORM 1.2.
- Does the LMS function better with a certain SCORM edition?
- Which version of the SCORM Runtime Environment does the LMS support?
- In a SCORM training course, what kind of reports are accessible in the LMS and how are they presented?
- Does the SCORM LMS require any extensions or plugins in order to operate?
4. Content Management
A training program’s success depends on its ability to produce compelling information. Many LMS companies give a variety of tools and resources for developing interactive courses. Modules can be created using various layouts, colors, and fonts, as well as photographs, videos, and links, and can even be branded with your company’s name and logo.
5. Content Personalizations
Many LMS vendors offer a variety of customization capabilities for creating personalized learning paths. Features for personalization include the ability to design courses specifically for each employee or to select subjects related to their positions in the company. Learners can have a greater influence over what they learn and ensure that training is compatible with their goals and aspirations.
6. Ease of Use
If an LMS is not user-friendly and hard to use for the trainers and learners, all of its features may be pretty much meaningless. Today’s learners demand an attractive user interface as well as a streamlined and hassle-free experience. So, you should select an intuitive LMS program that doesn’t require much of a learning curve for the typical user, and ensure that the interface is uncomplicated and friendly.
- Can learners readily find things (courses, modules, and activities) using a robust search function?
- Does the learning management system support social, mobile, and microlearning?
- Is it simple for administrators and learners to perform tasks and navigate the LMS interface?
These are the kinds of questions to ask when judging the usability of an LMS.
7. Easy & Seamless Integrations
When selecting an LMS for your corporate business needs, you should also consider its capacity to interact with other learning tools and platforms. The LMS should work seamlessly with other learning tools and systems, including authoring software, assessment platforms, and content repositories. This interface enables a more efficient workflow by reducing the need for redundant data entry and assuring consistency across platforms.
8. Scalability and Flexibility
When selecting an LMS for your business, be sure it is highly scalable and adaptable enough to fulfill the needs of developing businesses. As organizations develop and evolve, their training processes must adapt. The LMS should be scalable to meet growing user numbers and changing training needs. In addition, the LMS should be adaptable to different learning styles, preferences, and organizational structures.
9. Comprehensive Assessment & Reporting
Assessment and reporting tools for tracking progress are another important feature that you can’t ignore while choosing the LMS for your business. So, the LMS you will choose should contain extensive assessment tools for evaluating learner progress and determining the effectiveness of training programs. These technologies provide several assessment formats, including quizzes, assignments, and simulations, as well as extensive reporting for individual and group performance.
10. Mobile learning
If you’re going to train sales agents or other staff who are constantly on the road, your learning materials should look good on any device. You require an LMS that enables completely responsive courses that adjust to the screen size of any device.
Overall, learners should be able to access the LMS and its material using any device, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Mobile compatibility means that training is available at any time and from any location, encouraging a culture of continual learning.
11. Gamification
By receiving points and rewards for completing assignments, the employees become more invested in their training and are driven to achieve more and better. Most companies have embraced this trend and implemented gamification components in their LMS, such as points, awards, ratings, badges, and more. So, if you want to ensure increased motivation, healthy competition, and better results from your training programs, make sure to select an LMS with gamification if you wish to use game mechanics to encourage deeper engagement from your staff.
Here’s what it includes:
- Award Points Tracking
- Configuring Milestones
- Customizable Badges
- Leaderboard
- Manage Certifications
- Role-Based Permissions
- Managing user profiles & user profiles
Overall, gamification features not only make training more enjoyable but also stimulate and motivate learners to perform better.
12. Blended Learning
A method of designing learning that blends traditional instructor-led instruction with internet resources and techniques is called blended learning. Essentially, this type of learning involves learners receiving training sessions from an instructor in a classroom (physical or virtual) as well as access to online learning resources via a learning platform such as an LMS.
It increases engagement since learning experience designers can incorporate a variety of styles and methodologies.
13. Progress Tracking
Progress tracking is a fundamental component of LMS’s main functionality that involves monitoring and reporting on learners’ progress and performance.
Progress tracking is vital in an LMS checklist since it enhances the learning experience and provides administrators with data for ongoing content modification. It guarantees that the LMS adapts to users’ changing demands, making it an essential component of a successful learning management system.
#Other Features to Consider
1. Multilingual Support
Multilingual support is essential for global organizations that operate in diverse linguistic environments. An LMS with robust multilingual capabilities allows users to access content and interface elements in their preferred language. This feature enhances user experience and ensures that training materials are easily understood.
Multilingual support can include translated course content, localized user interfaces, and language-specific support resources. Offering training in multiple languages can boost engagement and retention rates.
2. Data Migration
The data in your LMS is a true goldmine. It contains a plethora of knowledge, best practices, and experiences. It would be quite difficult if, upon deciding to migrate to a different LMS, you had to abandon everything and begin again. That’s when data migration is most important.
If your LMS supports this feature, you can both import and export your content. That way, if you become dissatisfied with your current LMS, you can still use all of the materials and data you’ve developed and transition to another learning platform that better suits your needs.
3. Cloud Hosting
A web-hosted, cloud-based corporate learning management system reduces deployment time and lets you start using it right away.
Cloud-hosted LMS platforms are specifically built to integrate with your company’s current network and software infrastructure. You may centrally evaluate all the information you require because you can access it from any location at any time using any kind of device.
Select a corporate learning management system that can be quickly installed on either a private cloud server or your preferred public cloud server.
4. Skill Development
Many firms utilize Learning Management Systems (LMS) as a tool to help employees improve specialized skills in addition to managing different training programs.
In this fast-paced, cutthroat workplace, employees’ talents are crucial. It becomes crucial to determine whether the software solution has tools to support skill development and management if you intend to utilize the LMS as a tool for skill development. The skill development tools will assist you in designing training programs that enable employees to gain certain skills and bridge the skill gap among employees.
5. Multi-Tenancy Support
Multi-tenancy support is a valuable feature for organizations with diverse training needs or multiple divisions. A multi-tenant LMS allows you to create separate, individualized learning environments within a single system. Each tenant, or division, can have its own branding, user groups, and course catalogs while they can still be managed from a central administrative dashboard.
This is particularly useful for large enterprises, franchises, or organizations that need to deliver tailored training to different departments or geographic locations. It ensures that each group’s unique requirements are met without the need for multiple LMS platforms.
6. Discussion Forums
Discussion boards in an LMS foster a lively learning community by giving a venue for exchanging insights and challenging ideas, ultimately increasing the learning experience among the employees. Their performance is dependent on encouraging meaningful involvement, prioritizing the quality of talks over the volume of posts.
This technique promotes meaningful contributions in order to create a dynamic learning environment in which each contribution is valued and every learner’s perspective is heard. Such forums improve comprehension and foster critical thinking abilities, making them an essential component of a successful and dynamic learning experience.
7. Back-up & Recovery
An LMS must have a strong backup and recovery strategy to protect against errors or data loss. If you want to avoid losing all of your data and having to start over, you must have regular, automated backups of both user data and instructional content.
Therefore, you should choose an LMS that has an effective recovery method to reduce downtime and safeguard the online learning environment. In the digital age, where data is vital, a strong backup and recovery plan is essential.
Step-by-step Evaluation Process to Choose a Perfect Corporate LMS
1. Understand your requirements
To make an informed choice that supports your aims and objectives, it is essential to comprehend the unique learning requirements of your firm before taking any further action.
- Know your audience & their requirements: Determine the audience you want to train, then use focus groups, surveys, or interviews to find out about their jobs, responsibilities, and preferred methods of learning.
- Examine the areas they still need to learn and grow in Clearly state what knowledge, abilities, or skills your target audience needs to pick up or improve.
- Identify the necessary delivery formats: Determine which learning modalities—videos, interactive modules, simulations, or a combination of formats—your audience prefers. Make sure the LMS you select facilitates the easy creation and delivery of these formats.
With 98% of firms using them for workplace learning, videos rank as the second most popular learning media.
2. Determine the features you want in your LMS
Once you have a clear understanding of your business needs, create a comprehensive list of features and functionalities you require in an LMS. We have stated all the features above, however – you might not have all the features in your LMS. So based on your requirements and gaps – you can choose the best corporate LMS.
Start by defining the core features that are essential for achieving your training objectives. After determining the core features, also look out for additional features to further improve the learning experience for your employees. Prioritize your feature list based on their importance to your organization’s training goals and objectives.
3. Shortlist Potential LMS Vendors
Based on your research, narrow down your options to a shortlist of LMS vendors that meet your criteria and requirements. Consider factors such as vendor reputation, customer satisfaction, and industry accolades when creating your shortlist.
Look for vendors that have a proven track record of success and a strong customer base in your industry. Take note of any unique features or offerings that set each vendor apart from the competition. Keep your shortlist focused on vendors that align closely with your business needs and objectives, as this will streamline the evaluation process and help you make a more informed decision.
4. Verify your Vendor Credibility
After shortlisting a few potential vendors, you can further dig down to verify your vendor’s credibility. A trustworthy and dependable LMS requirements provider is a necessary partner to ensure long-term success and reduce risks.
5. Company History and Client Reviews
Examine the vendor’s track record in the business, experience in the field, and customer feedback. Choose a supplier who has a track record of providing excellent customer service together with high-quality solutions.
6. Experience in the Field and Intellectual Pioneering
Examine the vendor’s blog, whitepapers, webinars, and industry awards to gauge their level of industry knowledge and thought leadership. A vendor can be a useful partner if they remain on the cutting edge and give back to the learning and development community.
7. Case Studies & Customer Success Stories
Examine case studies and client success stories that demonstrate how businesses like yours have benefited from the LMS requirements vendor’s assistance in achieving their learning and development objectives. These actual case studies can give important information about the vendor’s capabilities and the possible effects of their solution.
8. Book a Free Demo
Once you have assessed the vendor reputation, pricing, and ROI, it’s time to get hands-on experience with each shortlisted LMS. Schedule a free demo with each vendor to explore their platform in detail. During the demo, ask the vendor to demonstrate key features and functionalities that are important to your organization.
Evaluate the user interface, ease of navigation, and overall user experience of the platform. Ask questions about customization options, integration capabilities, and support services offered by the vendor.
Engage with the demo to assess whether the LMS meets your requirements and aligns with your organization’s goals. Gather feedback from key stakeholders who participate in the demo and use their input to make a final decision about which LMS is the best fit for your organization.
9. Make Your Decision
After completing the evaluation process and gathering feedback from stakeholders, it’s time to make a decision about which LMS is the best fit for your organization. Consider all factors, including vendor reputation, pricing, features, support services, and feedback from stakeholders, when making your decision.
Choose the LMS that offers the best overall value and aligns closely with your organization’s goals and objectives. Monitor the progress of the implementation and gather feedback from users to ensure a smooth transition and successful adoption of the new LMS platform.
By carefully considering all factors and making an informed decision, you can choose the best corporate LMS for your organization and set your team up for success in achieving your training and development goals.
LMS Pricing Considerations
When creating a list of learning management system requirements, do not overlook the financial side. With the corporate training industry predicted to expand by $153.41 billion between 2024 and 2028, it is evident that this is not a low-cost undertaking. According to another Capterra survey, “people spend 59% more than they expect to on their Learning Management System”.
It’s critical to weigh the effects of various pricing structures and select the LMS that best suits the L&D requirements of your business.
Below is a list of the best LMS price models:
- Pay per learner: If your company has a steady number of learners and your training obligations are mandatory, this method can work well for you.
- Pay per active user: This plan is a fantastic choice if you’re looking to add temporary users, perform one-time training sessions, or spread out training among several batches of learners over the year.
- Pay as you proceed: To pay for only the services you use, select this option if you are unsure whether there will be a steady need for training in your organization.
- Subscription/licensing fee: Larger businesses with a higher user count should consider this plan. Based on the features that are provided, a license or subscription price is periodically set (for a year, for six months, etc.).
End Note
So, there you have it! Choosing the best corporate Learning Management System (LMS) for your business can be an overwhelming and tedious process, but you go all out there, do the research, consider everything, and then find the right one for your business. If you are investing your money into a LMS and your employee’s learning, you need to make the most out of it.
We hope this blog has helped you in getting to know about the right features you should consider, followed by the simple guide and considerations.
But hey, don’t just take my word for it. Dive into the nitty-gritty details, explore your options, and find the LMS that’s the perfect fit for your unique needs. To make the search easier, you can check out Blue-dolphin’s feature-rich, affordable corporate LMS.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your free demo now with us!
