2014 survey conducted by the Brandon Hall Group revealed that only 45.7 percent of the 457 respondents gave their learning management systems high marks for overall value. The statistic is sobering: Fewer than half of companies feel their LMS platforms are worth the price they paid.
Given this survey result, is it any wonder enterprises are concerned about their LMSs being able to run employee training software? After all, if an LMS is struggling to meet a company’s eLearning needs, any sort of training extension may flounder as well. That’s more money being thrown into a solution that isn’t delivering. Unfortunately, many organizations simply can’t start from scratch with a new LMS. Therefore, determining if a solution can meet, and hopefully exceed, your training needs might be your best option. You must find an answer to this question: Can your LMS handle employee training software?
The Vague Answer: Sometimes?
Many existing learning management systems are years or even a decade old. If you take a moment to consider how much technology has changed in the past 10 years, a decade may as well seem like a century. Yet, an LMS represents a significant capital expenditure, and if a system is performing adequately enough, companies will be naturally hesitant to put forth another big outlay for an updated platform. After all, if it’s not broke, why fix it?
Of course, the reality is not that simple. Training strategies have evolved over the years to reflect technological advances and economic changes. Many companies now require employee training software that streamlines processes, increases efficiency, and takes advantage of the convenience of mobile devices. Simply adapting any solution into an existing LMS is a risky proposition. The platform might coexist with the extension, or it might actually make things worse. One goal of adding an employee training software solution is to save money by not purchasing an entirely new LMS. If you are devoting unnecessary time and resources simply to get an obsolete learning management system to work with an insufficient extension, you can throw that savings out the window.
The Definitive Answer: Yes!
Luckily, employee training software options are available that can extend the capabilities of even the most stubborn learning management system. These solutions give your LMS a boost that allows it to compare to brand new platforms. You want to choose an extension that incorporates the latest training and technology trends while providing some scalability to grow into the next trend that comes along. Seek a solution that includes the following features:
- Tablet-based training, which allows workers to experience content on iPads and other mobile devices
- Robust communication capabilities, which provide for better collaboration among trainers, managers, execs, and front-line employees
- Automatic push/pull, so that content is instantly delivered to tablets without the need to manually sync multiple devices day after day
- Advanced video and audio capabilities
- Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) capabilities
- Ability to adapt to SCORM standards and accommodate the Tin Can API
What concerns do you have about your existing LMS?
