What is an LMS and what does it do? Find the Right LMS tools for you with our LMS requirements checklist
In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations must effectively manage and deliver training to ensure employees, dealers, customers, resellers, and partners are equipped with the necessary skills. This is where a Learning Management System (LMS) comes into play. But, what exactly is an LMS, and how can it support corporate learning and development?
An LMS is a software application that facilitates the management, delivery, and tracking of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development activities. Think of it as a central hub that enables companies to organize content, train employees, partners, or customers, and measure the effectiveness of that training.
The system allows training administrators to create and manage content, assign it to learners, track their progress, and assess their outcomes. For learners, it provides a seamless way to access learning materials, complete courses, and monitor their performance. Online learning continues to increase in popularity due to it’s many benefits for all learning audiences.
1. Streamlined Training Delivery
An LMS simplifies the entire training process by centralizing content delivery. Whether you’re training new partners, upskilling current employees, or educating external partners, an LMS provides an efficient, consistent method to deliver knowledge across the organization in a blended learning
2. Tracking and Reporting
With integrated reporting tools, LMS platforms provide real-time insights into learner performance and progress. This ensures that learning objectives are being met and helps in identifying gaps in knowledge or skills.
3. Scalable Learning Solutions
One of the major advantages of an LMS is its scalability. Whether you have 100 or 100,000 learners, the right LMS can grow with your organization, allowing for global reach and consistent training delivery to internal and external audiences. This allows you to easily comply with compliance regulations.
4. Customization and Personalization
Modern LMS tools offer advanced personalization features, allowing organizations to customize learning paths based on roles, skills, or job levels. It can even be extended to partners and customers, offering branded learning experiences tailored to each group’s needs.
Effective LMS tools should include the following essential features:
Corporate Learning Management Systems are not just limited to internal employee training. They are equally valuable in training partners, customers, and extended enterprise networks. Here are a few Learning Management System examples of how different companies use LMS:
When selecting an LMS, it’s important to evaluate your organization’s specific LMS requirements checklist. This includes understanding your training goals, the size of your learner base, and the complexity of the learning materials.
LMS Requirements Checklist Items |
Importance for LMS Tools |
Capabilities LMS Platform |
User Interface (UI) and Experience (UX) |
Is it easy for users to navigate? |
|
Customization Options |
Can you brand and configure the LMS? |
|
Scalability |
Can the LMS partner and grow with you? |
|
Support Options |
What Support does the LMS offer to customers? |
|
Integration Capabilities |
Do you need an HRIS or SSO integration? |
|
Pricing |
What are the costs associated with the LMS Tools? |
|
What Learning Material does the platform support? |
What format of learning does this platform support? |
|
Enrollment Automation |
Can you have enrollments kick off in an automated function based off role? |
|
Reporting and Analytics |
What kind of built in reporting is there? How easily can you customize reports? |
|
Can you Separate Audiences? |
Can partners or customers be separated in the LMS platform? |
|
Virtual Classroom Connections |
Is there access to a Virtual Learning platform? |
|
Licensing Options |
What kind of Licensing options are there? Can you change it mid contract? |
|
Ability to Add Your Own Courses |
Can you add your own courses to the LMS platform? |
|
Manager Verification Capabilities |
Can you have an approval process for training or certifications submitted? |
|
Certifications |
How can you track certifications? Can Learners track their own progress? |
|
Skill Level Building |
Can you track different skill levels? |
|
Ease of Monitoring |
How easily can an admin track learner progress? |
|
Automated Messaging |
Can you send automated reminders about upcoming courses or assessments? |
|
Configure Modules |
Are you stuck with the out of the box format? Or can you control what learners see? |
|
Self-Registration |
Can you have learners self-register in the portal? Can you choose when to use this function? |
|
Mobile Access |
Can Learners take courses on the go? |
|
eCommerce Platform Integration |
Can you easily charge for courses? |
|
A Learning Management System is a crucial tool for organizations that want to optimize corporate learning and development software tools. It’s not just about delivering content; it’s about driving measurable results through better learning experiences for partners and associates alike.
For companies looking for a robust, scalable solution, LatitudeLearning stands out as one of the top extended enterprise LMS platforms. With a focus on skill development, ease of administration, and an ability to handle complex extended enterprise needs, it’s well-suited for organizations with diverse learning audiences, including employees, partners, dealers, resellers, and customers.
Investing in the right LMS can empower your team, improve performance, and ensure your organization stays competitive in today’s fast-evolving landscape.