Choosing the Best Online Training Software

The LMS System

Having a learning management system in place helps companies onboard and train employees. The system itself is really a combination of tools selected and used by a company for their new employees. As technology advances and software is constantly being improved upon, it’s important to choose the right software for your LMS. Learning management system options range from open source to software-as-a-service (SaaS). We’ll get to that in a bit.

Today, the training management system is enveloped by software. The software has become so advanced that the system revolves around its use. For example, an online training system would use learning software to house and deliver training materials. However, not all online training systems use available technology to incorporate all the functions and features required for great training. Because of this, many people confuse online learning management systems with web based presentation software. They are not the same. An online LMS generally has more acute functions to engage learners and elicit retention whereas presentation software simply works for lecturing.

Clearly, LMS software is the right choice for establishing a learning system within your company, but there are so many different LMS training system software companies, how do you know you’re choosing the right one? A learning management system software should be a one-time purchase, because it’s usually an investment. To make the right decision first means doing a lot of research into the product and knowing what kind of software will fit best for your company.

Learning Management System Software

Learning management system software comes in many different forms. There is computer-based, web-based, SaaS, SCORM-compliant, and open source. Some are combinations of others. For example, a software can be computer-based and open source, or it can be web-based and SCORM-compliant.

Computer based training software is pretty outdated now; it’s hard to find, and frankly, it’s not worth finding. The same can be said for SCORM-compliant LMS software. SCORM was a system standard that allowed content to be read on the LMS; content had to be created outside of a learning platform and formatted for SCORM in order for the content to fit on the LMS. It was a bit of a hassle for everyone involved.

The progression of the internet has left software to be housed and accessed online. An online learning system enables both administrators and learners to access learning from the internet as opposed to the actual computer or server stack that the software is installed on. Web based training software is definitely the new normal. Within the category of web-based learning software, there are different types of solutions. These software systems can be software-as-a-service or open source. An open source software is essentially the skeleton of a software provided or sold to a company. However, this requires the hiring of a team to finish customization and maintenance. Software-as-a-service is a business format in which the client pays a fee for an allotted time, and for that fee, the software is provided, maintained, and developed for the client by the software company. For a majority of growing companies, SaaS learning software has proven to be the most cost effective.

Initially, employee online training software had the simple intention of speeding up the onboarding and training process. The software capabilities definitely did that. Information was being delivered via online elearning, which was more efficient than printing training manuals and updating them year over year. This software for online courses revolutionized learning in business. However, e-learning training is still flawed. Content isn’t created as efficiently as it could be — it can take too long to create, therefore it’s often recycled without updating. Learners, though taking training modules, are not always retaining information, and managers are caught up in learning how to manage the software, that they’re leaving the responsibility of obtaining information on their learners’ plates. Simply put, the better software choices are the ones who can make all of these things simple: creating, delivering, tracking, and learning. Lessonly is the epitome of this. And furthermore, we’re automating aspects of our software so that no longer are managers scratching their heads about maneuvering through a learning software program.

Create Online Courses

In order for elearning to be effective, it takes informative and entertaining content. Traditional learning management systems, often SCORM-compliant ones, required a whole process of creating and formatting content a certain way outside of the LMS and implementing it to the LMS. Now, that process has become unnecessary and inefficient compared to the functions and features some LMS software provides now. Managers shouldn’t worry about how to create online training courses. Lessonly software is so intuititve that creation starts with action as opposed to analyzation.

With Lessonly as the example, creators can create fantastic content right on the platform. To create online training, it’s not time consuming and it encourage creative freedom. Managers can build online training by incorporating a mix of media like text, photos, video, and sound. Lessonly is compatible with multiple file types such ranging from PDFs to GIFs. Creators can upload their own content or embed the content with links. Some of the most entertaining lessons are those that inform learners while also making them laugh. It’s important to have fun when creating online training modules, because if the creator is having fun creating, it’s likely the learner will have fun learning.

By engaging the learner and the learning administrator, it becomes seamless and easy to create online learning. Training employees of all experience levels becomes less of a chore and something that people want to use to do their job better. As lessons grow and more documents are added, these systems allow you to create online classes that cover every subject on a topic that your employees need to know. Sales team members can have a wealth of information that is important, but not always needed, at their fingertips for whenever they do need it. Overtime, your training software can host enough information to help turn a completely new employee into an expert on their job. With a software like Lessonly, these employees get to learn at a pace that suits them to ensure the information actually sticks.

By using a modern LMS like Lessonly, administrators can create online training free from the restrictions that SCORM-compliant systems enforce. With the technology available to us today, creating a lesson shouldn’t be any harder than writing an email. Lessons and training materials can be personalized to the the industry, the company, and the audience that is going to be using it. The best training software systems allow for tracking to let you know how your learners are performing, but this is also the perfect time for feedback on what to include within your future lessons.

Learning Management System Vendors

The best learning management systems do not just consist of the product itself. Service is a huge part of going with a product. From the beginning of your search through the implementation of the software, no one should struggle in the process. There is always the temptation to look for the lowest-priced option, but often, the better choices in software have excellent sales representatives to help you find what works best for your company and savvy client experience experts to help you develop online training courses. Again, Lessonly does not lack in either of these departments. We believe that an investment in your learners should be a smart investment, not something to be taken lightly.

Web-based training vendors should be conscious of your specific needs for learning software. Sale representatives should be able to pinpoint your existing problem now and potential problems in the future. If they know that their product can help, they’ll draft up a contract. If they know their product isn’t the best choice, they’ll be able to tell you why. This might not always be the case with cheaper options or free learning system vendors. Companies with a track record of providing quality support and products are going to be able to help you in the long run with any questions or problems you might have with your learning management system. The peace of mind your learners feel when using the software should extend to the administrators dealing with the software itself, right?

Searching for the Best Online Training Software

Choosing the best online learning software for your company is a big task. You want something cost-efficient, easy to manage, with great service at your beck and call. It’s important the best online learning system definition is one that you sculpt. Take the three factors mentioned above, and fill in the details for your company. What does cost-efficient look like? What is the extent of easy management? What does great service consist of?

When you’ve thought about these things and created a list of specifics you want, take a look at web training software reviews. These reviews, whether they’re on the company’s site or a third-party website dedicated to reviews, provide plenty of resources to help you make a decision. Many learning software companies will offer free trials, case studies, and software analysis to help you make a decision.

From there, search for case studies that are similar to your own current situation and take advantage of free trials of you can. This will help you narrow your choices. Before jumping to call sales reps, write down questions that may have come up in your search. When you’re having a conversation with a sales representative, make sure they’re answering your questions specifically.

Learning Automation: The New Normal for Corporate Learning

Lessonly is taking the learning management system and advancing it with automation. We believe that a huge part of managing learners effectively is by making the tools for learning as seamless and intuitive as possible. That’s why we’ve automated some of the actions in the usability of our software.

When using Lessonly, there are two perspectives: the administrator’s and the learner’s. Lessonly is learner-focused. That’s not to say that we disregard the administrative user, but instead, make the administrative user experience so effortless that managing the system becomes simple. In turn, more focus can be put on the learners of an organization. From there, Lessonly solidifies both user cases by having an intuitive interface, mobile accessibility, and progress tracking.

In Lessonly, the administrative role is guided to create online training for employees. You’re asked whether you want to create a lesson or course, then you’re put right into the organization panel. Once user emails are initially added, administrators can assign by just searching a learner’s name. Groups can be created for repeated, bulk assigning too. If a lesson or course needs to be repeated annually, it can be scheduled to do so. Administrators can even queue up lessons; once a learner is finished with a lesson, the next lesson can be assigned automatically. Administrators are notified of learner progress in daily progress reports.

From the learner’s perspective, lessons are accessible from any smart device. So much of our world today is done on mobile devices, it just didn’t make sense for us not to make Lessonly work great there. Coming to mobile helps learners learn in their best environment, therefore raising retention. Learners can step away from the desk and move to a quiet area, a couch, or even their homes to help make themselves better employees in the long run. Learners are notified by email when a lesson is assigned, the day before the lesson is due, and the day the lesson becomes overdue. If a learner needs to review lesson information, they can search for the lesson content as soon as they log in. In the end, automation makes learning a better experience for both parties. Employees aren’t anxious for not knowing certain information and don’t have to worry about asking, and managers get the satisfaction knowing the learning is being done and done correctly.

Curious about Lessonly? Try it out! We have a free tour or take a look at any of the resources below. Get creative with corporate learning. Start building today.