Training Companies Reveal - The Real Advantages to using an LMS

For some training consultants, there may be some lingering questions around implementing a new LMS, “Why should my organization implement a blended learning course or eLearning course via an LMS?  What quantitative advantages would it bring to my current training solution and outputs?

Should we consider hiring a contract LMS Administrator to manage our new LMS?

If implemented correctly, an LMS can be a powerful training solution that can take an organization to the next level of operational efficiency.  Learning Management Systems save organizations, training consultants and instructors valuable time and money by enabling them to easily manage the training of large groups of learners through a web-based environment - anytime, anywhere accessibility.

To help answer some of the questions, we have compiled the top advantages of leveraging an LMS and a contract LMS Administrator for your next learning initiative:

1. Secure exchange of learning data

   The LMS’ secure system facilitates uploading, storing and sharing of learning resources in the form of courses, assessments, documents and manuals that complement your blended learning program. These online resources serve as a repository for your learners to access information just-in-time of need or as performance-support tools during a face-to-face learning session.

2. Cost effective

   Companies and training consultants belief they can save money by using eLearningcourses and virtual classrooms.  They reduce transportation and lodging costs and the time spent away from work traveling. LMS environments allow organizations to save on administrative and paperwork costs by creating online courses, which they can reuse multiple times to train geographically dispersed team of employees or learners.

3. Merge all training information into one system

   There are significant benefits to having all your training information in a single, consolidated system.  At a glance you can review and report on the status of company-wide training programs, identify employees who have completed certain qualifications, and much more. Rather than having to search through several disparate systems and paper files to find what you need, the right LMS puts all training information at your fingertips.

4. Improve compliance with regulatory requirements

   Another major reason for investing in an LMS is to better comply with the various regulatory requirements that apply to your company. For example, electronic medical records training or safety programs are a common use for LMS solutions as it enables you to easily demonstrate that all appropriate employees are up-to-date on the required certification and training. If your organization operates within a highly regulated environment such as healthcare, financial or insurance industry, chances are an LMS is worth considering for compliancereasons alone!

5. eLearning

   Much has been written about the benefits of eLearning, and an LMS can make eLearning easier to manage and deploy. Some LMS solutions integrate with tools to help author eLearning courses, and most systems can import courses that have been created in industry standard formats, such as SCORM. Learners can use the LMS to select, view, and complete their eLearning activities, as well as access any documents they need. All results of eLearning courses are stored within the LMS in the users’ transcript.

6. Flexibility

   With an LMS being used as the central platform for managing blended learning across your multi-department, geographically dispersed organization, training will no longer be dominated and hindered by time restrictions and will become a continuous process, available when needed by the learner. Apart from attending face-to-face training session or participating in a live group discussion, learners can continue acquiring and exchanging additional knowledge over the LMS through social learning and knowledge collaboration features like chat rooms, forums, online access to experts/ trainers, wikis, blog, etc.

7. Improve your employee retention

   There is significant evidence to support the fact that engaged and valued employees stay with an organization longer.  An LMS allows organizations to create development plans and provide a clear path for career advancement. Associated learning activities make it possible for employees to expand their knowledge and skills to achieve their career goals

8. Analysis and reporting

   An LMS allows businesses to collect and analyze learning data for a more complete view of training results. In addition to being able to report on student progress and learning outcomes, reporting and analysis capabilities can point to the success of individual courses, or illustrate where courses should be improved. More advanced analytic capabilities can provide an organization-wide view of learning, and how it ties into overall organizational performance.

Once you map out the logistical efforts of the LMS it is imperative to enlist the aid of a contract LMS Administrator to ensure the initial stages of implementation run smooth.  A contract LMS Administrator can transfer the necessary skills and knowledge to an internal company resource to ensure the foundation is strong and your organization is set up for success.

Here are just some of job functions of a LMS Administrator:

1. Installs, upgrades and supports the newly implemented LMS

2.  A dedicated resource that can stay up to date on new and exciting ways to optimize the tool

3. Resolves escalated LMS user issues

4. Builds and deploys courses in the online course authoring tool

5. Manages department platform requests to maintain a quality review with the designated department

6. Distill and disseminates information internally and inter-departmentally