Here are four more questions you’ll want to ask when selecting a new LMS. (The first four questions are in the previous issue.)
5. Is the LMS Platform Locally Installed or Cloud-Based?
You can purchase a commercial LMS as an enterprise product that your organization will install on its own local servers. Or you can purchase a commercial LMS as a cloud-based product that’s hosted on the LMS provider’s servers. A locally installed LMS allows for more customization capabilities while a cloud-based LMS is more scalable and accessible since it can easily be accessed from anywhere there is an Internet connection.
6. Does the LMS Allow You to Create Training Content?
Some LMSs only allow you to upload and distribute content. If you won’t be creating a lot of training content, or if you decide to outsource your training content creation to a third party, this may not be a huge concern. You can simply create your content in a different platform and then upload it to the LMS periodically when needed. However, if you plan on creating a lot of content on a frequent basis that’s unique to your organization, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper content authoring tools available in the LMS you’re considering.
7. What Integrations Does the LMS Offer?
Does the LMS you’re considering have the capability to integrate with other systems and applications your organization is already using? Having an LMS that links to your talent management system will be extremely helpful when evaluating employee performance and internal movement. If you’re thinking of selling some of your training materials, you might want to consider e-commerce integrations as well. Additionally, consider webhooks integrations and API (application programming interface) integrations for maximum benefits.
8. What Features Does the LMS Offer?
Does the new LMS offer video conferencing for real-time collaboration? Now more than ever, people are constantly using their mobile devices and working together online. Are you able to administer gamification, social learning, or mobile learning with the new LMS? Being able to analyze who views your training content and for how long, in tandem with test assessments, can also be very valuable when developing future training content. What type of reporting features does the LMS you’re considering offer?
Once you start asking the right questions, like the ones listed above, selecting a new LMS will become a lot less daunting. And if all else fails, simply ask the LMS provider you’re considering for a live demo or free trial so you can see first-hand if the system will fit your organization’s needs.