lms for smbs

Amit Gautam@amitgautam

Pranjalee Lahri@PranjaleeLahri

Key features:•SaaS, Ready-to-go

•Multi-device Responsive

•Blended Learning Management

•Classroom & Virtual Classroom

•Multi-portal architecture

•Social Learning & Knowledge Collaboration

•MIS & Reporting

•eCommerce

•Embedded Business Intelligence Tool

•APIs and Integrations

•Configurable Organization Structure

and much more!

The Best Value, SaaS Learning Management System

90+ Clients Across the Globe

Middle East

New Zealand

South Africa

Nigeria Kenya Singapore

Venezuela

US

India

Australia

UK

11 Awards (’15, ’11, ’10 & ‘09)

Learning In Practice Awards

Chief Learning Officer (CLO)

Training Industry

Awards & Recognition

Clients

Pranjalee LahriMarketing Head

Amit GautamFounder & Director

Presenters

• LMS and SMBs

• What does an SMB really need in its LMS?

• 9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

• 9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

• 9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

Agenda

• Classroom training• On-the-job training• Manual tracking, recording and

reporting in spreadsheets

LMS & SMBs

• Limited budgets and resources• Large implementation cycle of

an LMS• Lack of an internal IT team

LMS & SMBs

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

LMS & SMBs

$2.65bn

$7.8bn

What do you need the most in your LMS:• Ability to implement fast with a quick go-live• 24x7 Technical Support• Ability to manage ILT and eLearning• All of the above

Poll 1

What does an SMB really need?

Hosting

Multiple Media Support

User-friendly Interface with Enhanced UX

Anywhere, Anytime Learning

Reporting & Business Intelligence

24x7 Technical Support

Instructor-Led (Classroom) Training

Quick Rollout Readiness

Effective utilization of time, money, and resources

• Automates training administration

• Replaces manual processes

• Efficient and effective

• Minimum time and resource investment

• Cost savings

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

1

Better ROI

• Performance enhancement

• Automation

• Time- and effort-efficiency

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

2

Leverage Legacy Training Content

• Standards and non-standards compliant courseware

• PowerPoints, PDFs, Videos, etc.

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

3

Increase learning effectiveness

• Support for multiple media

• Support for different training modes

• Blended Learning

• Assessments & Assignments

• Social Learning & Knowledge Collaboration

• Gamification

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

4

Enhance quality of training

• ILT – Prone to human errors and inconsistency

• Access to all modes of training

• Standard and consistent

• Clear and complete view to learners’ present and future training requirements

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

5

Extend training deliverability

• Mobile Workforce

• Anyplace, anytime

• Any device

• Extended Enterprise

– Suppliers

– Resellers

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

6

Integration with Org Structure

• Integration of learning workflows with real-time org structure and hierarchy

• Workflow alignment with roles of Line Manager, TrainingManager, etc.

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

7

Single window Comprehensive MIS

• Comprehensive and detailed reporting

• Reports at micro and macrolevel for real-time decisionsupport

• Better measurement ofperformance of LMS/training as a whole

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

8

Foster a learning culture

9 LMS Benefits for SMBs

9• Make learning a part of the system

• Access to training not possible with limited teams otherwise

• Real-time, On-demand access to learning is a performance booster

• Learning culture key to success in dynamic business environment

How many of you:• Are already using an LMS and are planning a

switch• Are planning to invest in an LMS for the first

time• Don’t plan a LMS purchase anytime soon

Poll 2

Start from the start

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

1• Clear and defined need

• Define expected results of an LMS implementation

• Owner and User

• Align with business cycle for better positive impact post implementation

– Training cycles

– Sales / Seasonal activities

– Customer / Market Events

Stakeholders Buy-In

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

2• Buy-in from all stakeholders

– Top Management

– Business Users

– IT

• All stakeholders factored in Need definition

Requirements Specifications

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

3• Clear documentation of all Requirements

– Business

– Functional, Usability

– User Environment (Browsers, Devices, Internet speed, etc.)

– IT (Policies, Access Restrictions e.g. Flash, plugins, Security, etc.)

• Business workflows

Seeing is Believing, Trying is Assurance

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

4• Product Demos is a must

– Aligned to business scenarios

– For all key stakeholders

– Use Case Demonstrations (what-if, etc.)

– Look for ease of use and workflow alignment

• Committed Sandbox trial with key stakeholders

– Golden opportunity to almost beta-test products and find best fit

Hosting; IT; Support

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

5• Almost all SMBs prefer vendor/cloud hosting

• Self-hosting

– Involve IT early on for clarity on Implementation, Patch updates, Maintenance and Server access for Support

– Server Infrastructure clarity with Vendors for compatibility evaluation

• Technical, Level 1 and Level 2 Support

– Outline with IT and Vendor the needed Support

Existing Systems Integration

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

6• User data and org structure Integration

– Real-time or batch

– One-way or two-way

• Technical and Technology Compatibility Evaluation

– How will it work with Cloud LMS

– One-time records update at roll-out

Reporting

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

7• Clear list of all needed reports

– Formats, Frequency, Email support

– Large reports need separate treatment at Server level

• Reporting needs integrated with Org hierarchy

– Reports filters and access control

Multiple devices; Usability

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

8• Multi-device?

• Responsive?

• Content is the key

– Is content ready for the same environment as LMS?

• Pilot across representative sample

• Future

– Dynamically changing environment

Vendor Profile

9 Key Considerations for Selecting an LMS

9• Track Record

• Cloud Infrastructure

• Technical Support

• Flexibility

• Roadmap

• Success Stories

Budget in Mind

• Initial project budget

• Adjust and adapt

19 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

• Subscription-based pricing/ Low flat fee

• Pay as per usage and business growth

9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

Flexible Payment Options2

• Analyze bigger picture WRT current challenges

• Product roadmap

9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

Short-Term Challenges Vs Long-Term Gains3

• Simple to use VS number of features

• Evaluate relevant features only

9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

Ease Of Use4

• Saas = Faster go-to-market

• Low costs

9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

SaaS/Cloud-based Vs Installed (On-Premise) LMS5

• Features Fit

• History and Reputation

• Marketing Information – Case studies to evaluate relevance

9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

Vendor Research6

• Avoid customizing the LMS

• Focus on mostly API based integrations

9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

Avoid Customizations7

• Involve IT team early on for integrations

• Existing systems teams need to be informed and ready

• Clear description of Integration need

9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

Integrations8

• Internal Marketing

• Train the Administrators and Team Managers

• Helpdesk from Day 0

9 LMS Buying Tips for SMBs

Plan for Success (Post Implementation)9

https://bit.ly/lms-buying-tips/

Thank You!Give us a shout at:

upside.lms@upsidelearning.com