How to choose the best learning management system

Looking for a new learning management system? You’re not alone. As businesses adapt to the new normal of hybrid working and remote training and onboarding, having an effective LMS has never been more vital.

It could even be the difference between workers staying or leaving a role. Investing in a culture of digital learning, where people feel supported and have the opportunity to upskill could be one way to fight off the great resignation.

In this guide, we’re taking a look at the benefits of having a learning management system and how you can choose the right one for your organisation.

What is a learning management system?

A learning management system, or LMS, is a piece of cloud-based software that supports organisations in delivering their learning strategy. In other words, it provides one location where you can keep all of your eLearning courses and content, making it easy to use and easily accessible.

There are usually two types of users for an LMS. Learning managers or administrators, who handle the execution of the platform, and learners, who will take courses and interact with the various features of the software.

Learning management systems offer a range of features, from analytics and feedback to social and gamification. Having all of your content and these features in one location gives your organisation a single learning hub and can make it easier to execute your learning strategy.

Wait, what’s the difference between an LMS and LXP?

Yes, we know, acronym overload. An LXP (learning experience platform) is very similar to an LMS. Traditionally, LXP’s were less about formal learning and more about shareable content and learner-driven experiences.

However, the difference between the two is becoming increasingly blurred, as many LMS’ now contain these types of features as well. You may also find these tools described as training platforms, which again is very similar to an LMS and also somewhere that houses your eLearning content.

Why do I need an LMS?

An LMS can make life easier for both learning managers and the learners themselves. If you’re currently using SharePoint or an ineffective LMS, there are likely a number of frustrations that could be solved by switching to a more intuitive tool, like Docebo.

Centralised learning

Having a single location for learning is a no brainer for many organisations, especially with many teams now split across different locations. It makes training and resources easy to find and share, and also means there is only one system that users need to learn and understand.

This can help to get new employees up to speed faster and provide a more inclusive onboarding experience.

Tracking and reporting 

It can be difficult to prove the value of your eLearning courses, but having access to advanced data and insights can certainly help.

Two of the features within the Docebo Learning Suite, Learning Impact and Learning Analytics, can help you to understand how your learners are interacting with your content and the impact your programmes are having on your business.

Having access to this data makes it easier to share results with other stakeholders. It can help you to improve your courses too.

Engaging learner experiences 

It’s the ambition of many businesses to build an in-house culture of learning, where employees feel supported and valued. Features like quizzes, social sharing and leaderboards are a great way to keep learners engaged and encourage them to get involved in your learning programs.

Providing a great experience for learners shows that your organisation cares about learning and is willing to invest in people development.

Time and cost-saving 

Managing eLearning can be both costly and time-consuming, but an LMS can take away some of the frustration. Speeding up these processes and automating admin tasks can give learning managers more time and increase ROI if learners are able to complete important training faster and without blockers.

As the working world changes, it’s important for L&D to change with it. Having an effective LMS is one way that you can connect your learning experiences and give learners the support they need, as well as access the data you need to prove the impact of your programmes.

Which learning management system is best for me?

At Omniplex Learning, we offer the AI powered learning management system, Docebo, and online training platform, Rise.com.

Best LMS for large businesses 

If you’re a larger organisation, then Docebo is the best choice for you. Docebo supports organisations that want to drive engagement through trackable, blended learning and can help your organisation deliver learning programs at scale.

There are six elements of the Docebo Learning Suite, including content creation and in-depth insight and analytics. It’s the ideal tool for large businesses that want to be able to prove the impact their learning is having.

Best LMS for small businesses 

For smaller businesses with a focus on empowering users through engaging eLearning, online platform Rise.com which incorporates an inbuilt authoring tool, is a great solution for you.

Rise.com is designed to make learning easy for everyone and is perfect for learning managers who want to cut the time it takes to execute a learning strategy.

Best LMS features 2022

In today’s market, most LMS’ come packed with features. Here are the key ones to look out for.

AI and automation – Automation and AI-powered tech can be a real time saver. Spend less time on admin and more time on what matters to your learners.

Integration – It’s important to ensure that your LMS is compatible with your existing tools. For example, if you use Articulate to create your eLearning courses, you can then integrate them with Docebo and Rise.com.

Scalability – If your organisation is growing, you need an LMS that can grow with you. You might want to consider choosing the LMS that reflects where you want to be, rather than where you are right now.

Cost – There are two sides to this coin. Firstly, how much you are willing to spend on an LMS? Secondly, how much will having an LMS save you? With faster training and onboarding, you can see serious ROI by simply adopting an LMS to replace SharePoint, or using a website, to host your content.

User experience – If you want to build a positive learning culture, a good place to start is with your tools. Look for a tool that is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate and accessible. Learners are more likely to be engaged in your courses if you can tick these boxes.

Reporting and analytics – Insights can help you make your courses better. By understanding your learners and your courses, you can not only make future improvements to your eLearning but also understand the true value it is having on your business.

Branding – Most LMS’ allow a degree of customisation, allowing you to create a learning platform that follows your brand guidelines. This can help make your LMS feel like part of your existing systems, rather than an external tool.

Customer service – Choosing a new LMS involves switching to a new piece of software – so it’s good to know that you are supported if you need help or if something goes wrong. By choosing a new LMS through Omniplex Learning, you have the added support of our in-house experts.

Security – Your LMS will be hosted ‘in the cloud’, which means security and privacy will be paramount. Check that your LMS is compliant with industry standards, and undergoes regular independent checks – like our friends at Docebo do!

Book a demo with the experts at Omniplex Learning

Choosing the right LMS for your organisation can be tricky, but having an LMS has arguably never been more important. Keeping your learners connected and giving them a consistent learning experience can have many benefits to your business.

Find out more about Docebo and book a demo

Find out more about Rise.com and book a demo

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