Learning Management System

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?

What is an LMS?

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.

Benefits of a Learning Management System

    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.

 

Key LMS Features

Effective LMS tools should include the following essential features:

  • Course Management: Ability to create, organize, and manage training content, from videos to quizzes.
  • Learner Tracking: Track learner progress and performance across different courses.
  • Assessments and Certifications: Administer tests, provide feedback, and award certifications for completing courses.
  • Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with other business systems like CRM or HR tools for enhanced reporting and tracking.
  • Mobile Accessibility: With the rise of remote working, learners must be able to access training content on any device.

LMS Use Cases in Corporate Learning

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:

  • Employee Onboarding: Efficiently train new hires on company policies, culture, and job-specific skills.
  • Partner Training: Ensure distributors and service partners are aligned with your products, services, and compliance standards. LatitudeLearning, for instance, specializes in partner training, offering tools tailored for large, geographically dispersed networks.
  • Customer Education: Provide customers with product training to enhance user experience and drive customer satisfaction and retention.

Choosing the Right LMS for Your Organization

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?

 

 

What is an LMS: Conclusion

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.