What is an LMS and How is created/used

5. LMS implementation

Successfully implementing an LMS takes good planning, sufficient resources and a clear idea of what success will look like for your company. Here’s all you need to know about LMS implementation.

LMS implementation types

There’s a few types of LMSs you can choose from, depending on your needs. The main two are cloud-based and self-hosted.

Cloud-based ☁️

This solution doesn’t require you to install specific hardware or software to access and use it. You simply log into a web portal and have access to the features and courses. This is a popular LMS option type because it’s an easy to implement, low maintenance, secure and configurable solution.

Self-hosted 🏠

This LMS is installed locally on your company’s servers. Some self-hosted LMSs can have more customization options, but your company’s IT department will need to install updates and maintain the LMS.

How long does it take to implement an LMS?

Depending on the complexity of the integration and the efficiency of the vendor, how long an LMS implementation takes varies. Quick, straightforward launches also depend on your company’s internal procedures. When comparing LMS vendors, it’s smart to ask questions about timelines. It helps create a clear expectation of how prepared they are to help you meet your important implementation deadlines.

How to implement an LMS

Your LMSs provider should have a dedicated Support and Success team to help you with your implementation. Once you’ve nailed down your goals and implementation plan, you can start to build your courses and add users. The next step is to get a small selection of users to test your LMS and courses. It’s also essential to promote the launch of your new learning system before it goes live. Ask your Customer Success representative to review everything before you launch so that you’re all set.

Choosing an LMS

With hundreds of learning management systems to choose from, it can be difficult to pinpoint the best solution for your business’s needs. Whatever LMS you decide to use, there are some essential areas you can focus on to narrow down your search.

LMS licensing types

Pay per user

This does exactly what it says on the tin – you pay for every user that uses your LMS. As this type tends to be used by cloud-based LMS providers, you have the added benefit of them, and not you, hosting the LMS. The provider will also carry out regular maintenance and install any upgrades.

Pay per active user

This is the most popular pricing type as you only pay for users who are actively using the platform. You’ll often see this further broken down into two payment options. The first option is paying for each active user that accesses the LMS during the billing cycle, and the second option is to pay for each active user per month.

Unlimited

Unlike the previous types, this one isn’t based on the number of users (active or not). You pay either monthly or annually for unlimited users. However, some providers may need a contractual commitment, like signing up for a year minimum.

How to choose the best LMS

Take a good look at the level of customer care provided throughout each stage of your onboarding. A great vendor will have dedicated team members at each phase to support you on your journey. Remember to find out the vendor’s support hours. The last thing you need is to have to wait weeks for a solution to any issues that arise.

A big advantage of some LMS providers is that they offer demos and free trials. The opportunity to get into an LMS with no strings attached gives you a chance to try it out so you can see if it meets your organization’s needs before committing. Lastly, if an LMS provider doesn’t understand your organization’s needs and goals, they may not be the right fit for you. Training is an integral part of an organization and your LMS provider should understand this. Crucially, your provider should be more of a partner than just a software solution.