A few years ago, a survey of learning professionals discovered that the top challenge with their learning managing systems was usability. More than a quarter of the respondents felt the LMSs their companies were employing were too complex and did not have the average user in mind. Surely, when a learning management system is too hard to learn, something is amiss.
If your company is considering replacing, upgrading, or adding an extension to its current LMS, you obviously want to adopt the best solution possible to maximize your training and eLearning initiatives for years to come. A learning management system comparison will help you determine your options and find the software that works best for your situation. Here are five areas to consider when doing a learning management system comparison:
1. Native offline access
The use of tablets for training is quickly becoming the must-have innovation, and rightly so—iPads and other portable devices are revolutionizing how employees learn their jobs. A key to employing tablets is native offline access, or the ability for content to be accessed without an Internet connection. Always being online can devour available bandwidth that has more important needs (for example, the cash registers). With native offline access, tablets use bandwidth resources only when necessary. Content is downloaded directly (and often automatically) to tablets and can be viewed whenever and wherever convenient.
2. Video compression
Your learning management system comparison should look at how a solution uses video. Any video would seem to be a worthy innovation, but most formats require a plethora of resources, from storage space to system processes to streaming capabilities. Choose a solution that compresses its videos into files much smaller than what’s typical. These videos will take up less space, download quicker, and stream easier.
3. Content control
Of course, not every employee should have access to every piece of training content. Besides security concerns, unfettered access makes finding a specific file difficult if an employee is searching through hundreds to find one he or she needs to revisit. Content control allows managers to not only send specific training materials to the right workers, but also track if employees are viewing the materials required to complement their training.
4. Automatic push/pull
The most important part of the entire training process is, naturally, the training itself. Streamlining other facets such as content delivery, communication, and so on, will increase focus upon the actual eLearning. Automatic push/pull can be a big asset toward this goal. A training manager sends content to employees who are learning a new procedure, and that content is ready to be viewed on tablets almost instantly (even if the tablet is asleep). If workers on the front line want to send feedback or even video, they record their messages, which automatically are returned to the appropriate higher-ups. An LMS solution that can effortlessly achieve this push/pull will save time and increase valuable collaboration.
5. BYOD capabilities
Your learning management system comparison will be incomplete if you don’t account for the burgeoning bring-your-own-device (BYOD) craze. More employees are using their own tablets and smartphones for workplace functions, and your LMS should take advantage of this trend by addressing compatibility and security concerns.
What do you think is most important in a learning management system comparison?
