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Essential Corporate LMS Features: Top Picks for Businesses

Written by Tee Dang Mankiewicz | Dec 17, 2024 3:30:00 PM

A learning management system (LMS) is a web-based application, that helps to organize and manage the process of learning in organizations. It can be used by any organization, from small businesses to large corporations, government agencies, and education institutions. 

Businesses, learning institutions, professional groups, and self-learners depend on the Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver educational materials. Companies that want to teach or train students, employees, volunteers, or customers find custom, branded platforms highly desirable.

 

What does a learning management system do?

An effective LMS allows employees to access the resources they need to be successful at work and helps them to build their skills, knowledge, and abilities. Some LMS platforms are designed to provide an integrated suite of tools to manage courses, create course modules, manage learners, monitor progress, deliver training, and measure results. They can be used by organizations of all sizes, in any industry. 

In addition to helping to organize and manage the process of learning, some systems can also help to improve engagement through features such as gamification.

In its simplest form, an LMS functions as a repository of course content. It provides the infrastructure needed to store files such as documents, videos, and presentations while also allowing instructors to upload and share them with their students. It also helps automate various processes such as submission tracking, completion tracking, and grade reporting.

Who uses Corporate Learning Solutions?

A learning management system or LMS for short, Corporate learning management systems  (LMS) can be used by a wide range of different departments and teams within an organization. Corporate LMS solutions, can be used by HR teams, corporate trainers, marketing, legal, operations, sales teams and customer service for product training. Usually, corporate learning management systems train employees on professional development, compliance, role specific skills, organization protocols and communication skills.

They can also be used by individuals at all levels of an organization, such as managers who need to train frontline employees who may need to learn in the flow while performing a task. The important thing is that corporate learning management systems should be used to support employees in their day-to-day work activities.

 

Why use a corporate learning management system?

Basically, employees with access to engaging, interactive training tools that will help them learn new skills quickly and easily. They want to learn when it's convenient for them, so that's where learning management systems (LMS) come in. The best LMS software allows you to create and manage online training so your employees can learn anywhere, anytime.

Organization Benefits From a:

  1. Improved overall performance of employees by decreasing the skills gaps. wide range of topics, from onboarding, career development, organization protocols, and communication skills,to compliance to role-specific skills
  2. Higher customer satisfaction. Product knowledge is delivered straight to their phones, which can lead to increased sales and better NPS scores.
  3. Creating a culture of learning. Gamified learning options make learning fun and engaging for employees, which can lead to increased retention and productivity.
  4. Decreased liability and improved compliance 
  5. Consistent and standardized training approach to learning

But with so many options on the market, how do you know which LMS is right for your company?  In this blog post, we'll take you through the process of choosing the right LMS and provide tips on what to look for. By the end, you'll be confident in making the right decision for your organization. 

This guide will help you navigate the process and how to choose the right LMS software for your organization.

 

What to Look for in an LMS- Top Learning Management System Features

1. Ease of Use โญ

One of the most important features of a corporate LMS is ease of use. Corporate training programs need a platform that is easy for both the employer and employees to navigate and use, from designing courses to logging on. 

Whether they are premade courses or customized for your organization, the categories, and learning paths or skills paths should be intuitive for employees to find the courses and training materials they need. Additionally, the LMS should be mobile-friendly so that employees can access it from anywhere, at any time.

2. Course Creation Tools ๐Ÿงฐ

Another important feature of a corporate LMS is course creation tools and authoring tools. The platform should provide employees with the ability to create their own courses and training materials, as well as the ability to upload existing courses and materials. Additionally, the LMS should provide templates and other resources to help employees create high-quality courses.

3. Course Content ๐Ÿ“‘

There are three main types of Learning Management System (LMS) platforms: those that offer course modules, those that allow for the modification of course content, and those that require users to create courses and content. 

Course modules are pre-made and not editable, meaning that organizations must choose from a set list of courses. This can be limiting, but it can also be helpful if you're looking for a specific type of training. 

Modifiable course content platforms give organizations the ability to modify existing courses to better meet their needs. This can be a great option if you need to tailor your training to your employees. Finally, some platforms require users to create their own content. This can be a more time-consuming option, but it offers the most flexibility in terms of customization.

4. Gamification ๐Ÿ•น๏ธ

Gamification is a feature that can make learning more fun and engaging for employees. Corporate LMS platforms with gamification features often include badges, points, and leaderboards to encourage employees to complete courses and training materials. Additionally, some platforms also include game-based elements such as quizzes and challenges to further engage employees in learning.

5. Reporting and Analytics ๐Ÿ“Š

Reporting and analytics are important features for any corporate LMS. The platform should provide managers with insights into employee learning progress, completion rates, and areas of improvement. Additionally, the LMS should allow managers to generate reports on employee learning activity to help identify trends and improve the effectiveness of training programs.

6. User Management ๐Ÿ‘ฅ

User management is another important feature of a corporate LMS. The platform should allow managers to easily add or remove users, as well as assign roles and permissions. Additionally, the LMS should provide a way to import user data from other systems, such as an HRIS or active directory.

7. Single Sign-On ๐Ÿ”

Single sign-on (SSO) is a feature that allows employees to access the LMS online training using their existing corporate credentials (such as their username and password). This can make it easier for employees to access the LMS training courses, as they will not need to remember multiple sets of credentials. Additionally, SSO can help to improve security by reducing the number of places where sensitive employee data is stored.

8. Integration with Other Systems ๐Ÿ”—


Tovuti LMS supports integration with these providers in their integration marketplace

Another important feature of a corporate LMS platform is the ability for integration with other systems. APIs allow for easier integration so check with the LMS platform or the marketplace. APIs or plugins, should be able to integrate with popular business applications such as Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Google G Suite or HRIS or HRMS systems.

This will allow employees to access their learning content from within these applications, making it more convenient for them to learn while they work.  

9. Accessibility โ™ฟ

Accessibility is an important consideration for any corporate LMS. The platform should be accessible to employees with disabilities, including those who are blind or have low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, or have mobility impairments. Additionally, the LMS should be accessible on mobile devices so that employees can access it from anywhere, at any time.

10. Security ๐Ÿ”’

Security is another critical consideration for any corporate LMS. The platform should have robust security features in place to protect employee data from unauthorized access.

A corporate LMS should have security features in place to protect employee data. SOC  2 compliance is a good indicator that the LMS takes data security seriously.

 Additionally, the LMS should be hosted on a secure server and backed up regularly to ensure that employee data is always safe.

11. Micro Learning ๐Ÿฆ


What is micro learning? Itโ€™s defined as short, single-concept modules that are completed in a matter of minutes. They are generally used in conjunction with a larger learning goal and can be accessed on demand via a mobile device or computer.

Microlearning is an effective way to engage deskless workers, who often have limited time and attention span for traditional eLearning courses. Additionally, microlearning is built on the principles of spaced repetition, which has been proven to be an effective way to learn and remember new information. 

Finally, microlearning allows learners to complete modules in the flow of their work, without having to stop what they are doing to complete a formal learning course. While not all LMS systems have incorporated micro-learning, it is an effective way to engage learners and help them retain new information.

12. Self-paced Learning ๐Ÿ”–

Another important feature of a corporate LMS is self-paced learning. This feature allows employees to learn at their own pace and complete training modules at their convenience. This is especially important for employees who have busy schedules or who live in different time zones.

13. Social Learning ๐Ÿ‘€

Social learning theory focuses on the idea that people learn by observing others โ€“ a process that is often called โ€œmodeling.โ€ This type of learning can take place in a variety of ways, including through direct observation, imitation, and vicarious learning

Social learning is a feature that allows employees to interact with each other while completing training modules. This feature can be beneficial as it allows employees to ask questions and get feedback from their peers. Additionally, social learning can help to create a sense of community among employees who may not otherwise interact with each other on a regular basis.

14. Video Content ๐ŸŽฌ

Video content is another important feature for any corporate LMS. Videos are an effective way to deliver training content, and they can be used in conjunction with other types of content, such as text or audio. Additionally, videos can be watched at the employeeโ€™s convenience and can be paused or rewatched as needed.

15. Mobile Learning  ๐Ÿ“ฑ

Mobile learning is a feature that allows employees to access training content on their smartphones or other mobile devices. This is an important feature as it allows employees to complete training modules while they are on the go. Additionally, mobile compatibility can be used in conjunction with other types of learning, such as e-learning or classroom-based learning.

16. E-learning ๐Ÿ’ป

E-learning is an important feature for any corporate LMS as it allows employees to complete training modules online. This is a convenient option for employees who have busy schedules or who live in different time zones. Additionally, e-learning can be used in conjunction with other types of learning, such as classroom-based learning or mobile learning

17. Certification management: ๐Ÿ—ƒ๏ธ

The corporate LMS should include features for managing certification programs so that employees can stay up-to-date with their certifications.

 

18. Personalized Learning paths๐Ÿ›ฃ๏ธ

The corporate LMS should include learning pathways so that employees can follow a training plan of study based on their needs and interests.  Also, a curated learning path provides employees with relevant and targeted content. 

Instead of presenting employees with a one-size-fits-all approach to learning, customized learning paths allow them to focus on the topics and skills that are most relevant to their role in the organization. Learning paths for employees start with assessing the skills gaps and using training and development programs to help employees get the most of out their training.

19. Scalability: ๐Ÿ“ˆ

When we talk about scalable software, we're talking about its ability to grow and adapt as your company does. A scalable system is one that can be easily upgraded and expanded as needed, without a lot of expensive or time-consuming rework. 

That's important in a corporate learning management system (LMS) or software, because you want something that can grow with you. 

If you're investing in an LMS now, you don't want to have to replace it in a few years when your company has doubled in size. Look for an LMS that is scalable and can adapt to your company's changing needs.

This can save organizations a lot of time and money in the long run. Additionally, scalable software is often more reliable and easier to maintain than non-scalable software. For these reasons, it's important to consider scalable when selecting an LMS for your organization.

20. Customization โœ๏ธ

Most learning management systems (LMSs) come with a fixed set of features and customizations. However, there are a few that allow you to tailor the software to your specific needs. Here are some of the ways you can customize an LMS: 

  • LMS Dashboard: You can change the look and feel of the LMS to match your company's branding. 
  • Functionality: You can add or remove features to create an LMS that fits your organizational needs. 
  • Content: You can upload your own courses, videos, and articles into the LMS. 
  • Pricing: Some custom LMSs offer flexible pricing options, so you only pay for what you need. 

So, which customization option is most important for HR leaders? It depends on the organization, but content is usually a top priority. After all, the whole point of an LMS is to provide employees with access to learning materials

21. Assessment tools ๐Ÿงฐ

Assessment tools allow organizations to perform a skills gap analysis, which  is an essential tool for any company. By identifying the skills that employees are lacking, organizations can customize training and development programs to meet the specific needs of their workforce. 

Assessment tools and questions are an important feature of Learning management software (LMS) because they allow organizations to perform skills gap analysis and identify training needs. A skill gap analysis template can be used to customize the assessment process and ensure that all relevant information is collected

22. Implementation ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ’ป

Look for an enterprise LMS vendor that offers implementation services to help you get the system up and running smoothly.  Enterprice LMSs need to be integrated with other HRIS software and apps, in addition, to customizing to fit the specific needs of your organization. 

Itโ€™s important to have experts on hand who can help you troubleshoot any issues that come up. Otherwise, you could run into problems down the road that could have been easily avoided. So, when you're looking for an enterprise LMS vendor, be sure to ask about their implementation services. 

It could be the difference between a successful enterprise LMS implementation and a not-so-successful one.

23. Branding and White Labeling ๐Ÿท๏ธ

White labeling with LMS means having a custom LMS that is branded with your organization's colors, logo, and name. The LMS can be used to deliver courses or training programs to your employees or customers. 

White labeling with an LMS has several benefits. First, it allows you to maintain a consistent brand across all of your training materials. Second, it gives you complete control over the look and feel of your courses. 

24. Data Migration ๐Ÿš›

A top LMS platform should have the ability to migrate learner, and employee data, and training material into LMS course content. This data can include:

  • Learner contact information (name, email, phone number)
  • Learner job title and performance
  • Account details (username and password)
  • Training records (completion dates, scores, certificates)
  • Training material (course files, videos, etc.)

Migrating this data into an LMS course content helps to create a seamless learning experience for employees and learners. This includes all Lectures, files, modules, quizzes, and any other material that is part of the course. It also allows businesses and organizations to track employee and learner progress, which is essential for measuring the success of a training program.

25. Responsive Design

When it comes to mobile learning or desktop learning,, there are two main design approaches: responsive design and adaptive design. Responsive design is where the course will automatically adjust its layout and content to fit the different screen sizes of devices. 

While adaptive design is where the course is specifically designed for each device type. From course creator perspective, responsive design can be easier to develop and maintain as there is only one codebase to worry about.

26. Configuration flexibility โš™๏ธ

LMS administrators often have to juggle multiple tasks and priorities. They need to be able to configure the LMS to meet the specific needs of their organization while also complying with LMS standards.

LMS standards like SCORM and AICC need to be met, and administration of the LMS should be easy so that learning paths can be created and monitored, alerts can be generated, fields can be managed, and audiences can be segmented.

The LMS needs to be flexible enough to allow administrators to configure roles, permissions, learner workflow, alerts, fields, and management of audience, and learning schedule. A flexible LMS will also make it easier to create learning paths that are customized for each individual learner. By meeting the needs of LMS administrators, a flexible LMS can help organizations get the most out of their investment in enterprise learning.

Configuration Needs can be:

  • Role Management
  • Permissions
  • Learner workflow
  • Learning schedule
  • Notification Alerts
  • Field names and ability to match the language and terminology used in your industry or organization
  • Management of audience.- do you want to offer separate content and catalog to different audiences, teams, learners? 

27. Open Source vs Proprietary Software ๐Ÿ’พ

There are several factors to consider when choosing between open-source and proprietary software for learning management. One of the key considerations is the scale and scope of your training needs. If you have a large or complex training program, you may need a more comprehensive solution than what is available with open-source software. The cost of each solution varies based on development and maintenance costs.

Closed Source or Proprietary software is a proprietary software program that you can purchase but not alter. Since you cannot access the source code, you must accept the functionality and user experiences as they are. This limits your ability to connect with existing systems and include content and tools in your HRIS, CRM, and other platforms.

That said, with proprietary software, you need to check with the learning software vendor as to their service level agreement, support options, how much technical support, frequency of updates, and at what cost. 

Open source software allows Users the ability to alter and adapt the open-source LMS code to fit their requirements. You can alter, update, and expand the learning platform to make custom, high-quality learning content for your company, using an open-source learning platform. 

As a result, organizations select an open-source solution since it needs to integrate with other existing system and tools. However, they often require more technical expertise to set up and maintain.   

If your company has already chosen a closed source LMS and migrating to an open-source system, then expect extra expenses and challenges. While this sounds intimidating, the sooner you start the process, the faster youโ€™ll see ROI as new integrations and HR tech tools are available in the marketplace.

28. Cataglog and eCommerce ๐Ÿ›’

eCommerce and learning management systems (LMS) are two important concepts in the eLearning industry. eCommerce is the process of buying or selling goods and services online. On the other hand, a learning management system is a software application that helps businesses manage and deliver eLearning content to their employees or customers. 

While eCommerce and LMS are two separate entities, they are often used together to create a complete eLearning solution. 

When eCommerce is integrated with an LMS, businesses can sell eLearning courses or products directly to their employees or customers. In addition, businesses can use an eCommerce platform to process payments for eLearning courses or products. 

29. Support ๐Ÿ†˜

Learning management system support comes in a few different levels and forms. The most common are tutorials or walkthroughs, chatbots, live chat, email, phone support, or an account representative. 

The type of support you receive is usually directly correlated to how much you're willing to pay for the subscription. For example, enterprise rates will generally offer more comprehensive and personalized support than the free version of the same LMS solution. 

When considering which LMS solution to use, it's important to consider how much time you're willing to spend learning how to use or troubleshoot issues that may occur with the system. 

For businesses that want to minimize their HR teamโ€™s administrative time figuring out complex issues, it may be worth paying a higher subscription rate for a system that offers more comprehensive customer support.

Conclusion 

It can be tough to know where to start when looking for a corporate LMS, but with the key features outlined in this article, you are well on your way. By considering the needs of your management, sales, and frontline employees when making your decision, you ensure that everyone in your organization will have access to the training they need quickly and easily.

Additionally, automating tracking and reporting on employee training progress can save time and resources. Finally, online learning tools can be more engaging than traditional instructor-led training methods.

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