What Does LMS Mean? Everything You Need to Know about Learning Management Systems

The way that people consume content and learn new information has changed, especially in the business world. Just as traditional board rooms have given way to Zoom meetings and ongoing Slack conversations, so too employee training is taking on new forms. 

LMS stands for “Learning Management System” and refers to e-learning software that allows for the online delivery of training and other knowledge-based content online. LMS enables employees to receive the training they need – from initial onboarding to ongoing skills development – at the time and place of their choice. While providing flexibility to employees, LMS also provides employers with greater oversight and better ability to monitor and track which employees have completed training.  

Read on to go beyond just LMS meaning and learn more about how it works, the benefits, and what to look for when choosing an LMS for your business. 

Core Components of LMS

While every LMS is created differently, there are a number of core components that are key. These include:

• User Management and Administration – This refers to the high-level management of the LMS including setting up access for those who will be providing the training content, enrolling the users who will receive the training, and ensuring that tracking capabilities are in place. 
• Content Management – This includes all the features and capabilities necessary for the creation, storage, and delivery of course and training materials. Trainers can record live video of themselves presenting information and can also upload documents and other materials. Each user (or student) can then access the specific modules relevant to them. 
• Assessment Tools – Many LMS solutions include tools that allow learners to evaluate themselves periodically in order to track their performance and progress and ensure that they are grasping the information correctly. 
• Reporting and Analytics – Managers and other relevant personnel can generate reports in order to track attendance and performance of all course attendees as well as overall course effectiveness. Companies can decide the specific metrics that they want to track based on their own training strategy and goals. 

Creating and Managing Courses in LMS

There are three main types of users of most LMS systems, each with a different goal:

• The administrators set up the system and configure it to align with the company’s strategy for training new and existing employees. They are also responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the system and respond to troubleshooting requests. 
• Instructors are the ones who create and deliver the training content. Each instructor may have his or her own style and content preferences and can be given a certain level of flexibility within the constraints set by the administrators to ensure a degree of consistency throughout all training company-wide.
• The end-users are the learners, who are likely new employees who need onboarding and training for their specific roles. Veteran employees can also use LMS for enrichment, specialized skills, compliance, and more. 

Each type of user can be given the specific access they need whether it is to create courses or attend courses. Course creators can access tools to make it easy to design and develop their course content, including adding materials such as videos, documents, quizzes or more. 

Additional features exist for those enrolling in courses. Personalized learning paths can be created so that each learner can see and then follow a sequence of courses that they are required to complete based on their role or goals. 

LMS Deployment 

There are several different ways that companies can choose to deploy an LMS. Most will opt for cloud-based solutions which allow for easy access and scalability. There is no need to install any special hardware or software, and users are able to access the LMS from any device with an internet connection. 

The benefits of a cloud-based solution are its easy compatibility with mobile devices so that users can learn anytime and anywhere based on their own schedule and preferences. It’s also flexible and scalable, allowing companies to only pay for the usage they need.

For organizations that may require greater security, control or customization of their learning management systems, there are also self-hosted options. In these cases, the LMS would be hosted on a company’s own servers instead of in the cloud. 

The Benefits of LMS

The key benefits to companies that use LMS for their employee training include:

• Enhanced Learning Experience – By putting all the training sessions online and allowing employees to learn at their own pace while still covering all the essential material, companies can provide a structured learning environment that adapts to the different learning styles that people may have. 
• Efficient Management – Learning management systems streamline course administration, making it easy to manage multiple training opportunities at once. Instructors can keep information up-to-date, make changes and add new material all at the click of a button. 
• Reduced Costs – Online courses decrease the need for in-person training sessions and physical sessions, resulting in lower costs for the company. The content and courses are reusable so that there is no need to pay again to train each new set of employees as they are hired. 
• Scale as Needed – Because all content is online, it is simple to scale up to accommodate growing numbers of instructors, learners and courses. 

Overall, incorporating an LMS into a company’s employee onboarding and training strategy boosts engagement, leading to more qualified and satisfied employees which has a direct impact on the bottom line. 

Relevant LMS Use Cases

There are no limits to what LMS can be used for – companies can find endless ways to incorporate training and other courses into the daily routines of their employees. Some of the most common uses of LMS include:

• Employee Training – Training new and existing employees is the main use of most LMS systems. Courses can include both hard and soft skills, teaching employees the practical knowledge they need to meet their responsibilities as well as the additional skills necessary to go above and beyond and achieve greater success. Learning opportunities may include initial onboarding required by everyone as well as more personalized courses determined by job requirements. 
• Customer Training – LMS doesn’t have to be only for employees. Companies can use the same system to create online training videos and courses for customers to teach them how to use certain products or services. 
• Compliance Training – Certain industries face strict and dynamic health and safety and other regulations that employees are required to be trained on and adhere to. Using an LMS is an efficient way to keep employees up-to-date on changing regulations in real-time. 

How to Choose the Right LMS

Not all LMS solutions are created equal, so before choosing the right one for your company, keep the following in mind:

• Audience – Understand who you will be training, including their level of comfort with technology, and what topics you will focus on so that you can evaluate different LMS options accordingly. 
• Features – Based on your needs, develop a list of features and capabilities that are a must-have and then you can eliminate the options that don’t meet your requirements. 
• Test – Take advantage of free trials and freemium versions to try out different options until you find the right fit. 

Bites Fits the Bill

Bites is an innovative LMS delivering educational content in a TikTok-style format. Bites offers engaging, bite-sized learning experiences tailored for the current generation of employees with limited attention-spans and an appetite for interesting and interactive content. 

Click here to schedule a demo and learn more.