Large and small businesses use learning management systems (lms) to provide, manage and track employee training. Since it is a web-based system, employees have the freedom to access educational information and administrative offices whenever and wherever they want. It is especially useful for industries where compliance training is necessary because the software tracks learning activities for you.

In contrast, a learning content management system (lcms) is a more sophisticated system that manages online learning and offers developers the ability to change or adapt learning content. People often use these two terms to describe learning management system solutions interchangeably, but there is a clear difference between being able to offer web-based learning and being able to change the learning information. When seeking to understand learning management systems basics, consider the following:

1. Learning management systems software contains five core elements.

2. Know the difference between hosted and installed software.

3. Lms software offers a wide range of options to suit your needs.

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Know the five core elements of lms systems

Familiarize yourself with the five basic components and five software characteristics of learning management systems. The five components learning management systems have in common are courseware launching, course-development, roster operations, assignment management and data collection. The five software characteristics to understand include maintainability, compatibility, usability, modularity and accessibility.

I recommend: For a brief overview and easy-to-understand summary of the five components, see Integrity eLearning. For information about the five software characteristics to consider, see eLearn Magazine.

Choose an lms system that works for your business

There are two different lms systems to consider - hosted or installed. If you have a hosted system, a lms provider grants usage to a business, provides support and modifies or customizes programs as needed. An installed software solution operates within your company's network, and your information technology (IT) department is responsible for maintenance, service, support and customization.

I recommend: For a systematic explanation of how to select a learning management system, see E-Learning Engineering and Pat Alvarado.

Understand the range of lms software options

Lms software systems range from simple to complex - some only manage training records and others offer collaborative Internet courses. Most learning management systems software require a license or have certain restrictions, but there are some free, open source models for public use. So, no matter what size your business is, there is a learning management systems software for you.

I recommend: The software you choose depends on your current IT structure, so Ask International provides a detailed explanation about analyzing your needs to find an appropriate software fit. The Training Development and Free Resource Center is full of information about software and other learning management systems questions you have, and it is free.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Utilize the expertise of your IT department when investigating learning management systems - ask them for suggestions and input.

Any educator will tell you: Learning is a lifelong process. A business, then, can't expect its employees to show up to work knowing everything they need to know. That's because the best employees are students – willing and able to learn new skills – and the best employers are prepared to be teachers. Turn your business into a classroom with ongoing training opportunities. The benefits include:

1. Increased productivity.
2. Reduced turnover.
3. More effective recruiting.

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Look for skills that need improvement

Before you implement a training program, you must first decide what skills your company needs, and what skills your staff currently has. Areas where there are gaps between need and performance are ideal points for training.

I recommend: Free training needs analysis tools from Businessballs.com can help you precisely identify what skill sets you need to develop among your employees.

Invest in educational resources

The most basic tools for training are educational texts; stock your office with job manuals and business references to encourage everyday learning at work.

I recommend: HRD Press offers human resources training products and references on everything from sales and mentoring to workplace diversity and conflict management.

Hire a training consultant

Whether you opt to hire a personnel expert full-time, or book a motivational speaker for just a day, hiring someone who specializes in teaching employees new skills can be expensive but very worthwhile.

I recommend: Locate companies, trainers, coaches and workshops in your area that specialize in employee training using The Training Registry, an electronic directory of training consultants and materials nationwide.

Experiment with media

Take advantage of all the Information Age has to offer by investing in video and audio training for your employees. Multimedia training is an inexpensive way to offer flexible ongoing training for your entire staff.

I recommend: Browse Business Training Media's online catalog of more than 2,000 videos, workshops, articles and more to build a training library that is stocked with diverse and interactive materials for your employees.

Encourage online education

You don't have to send your employees to school in order to educate them. Instead, set up a virtual classroom in the office so that employees can learn at the very same desktop from which they work.

I recommend: Learn.com's LearnCenter SMBS is a fully integrated, on-demand e-learning environment designed especially for small and mid-sized businesses.

Measure results

Justify the money you spend on employee training by tracking the return on your investment.

I recommend: The Conference Board's ScorecardforSkills.com is supported by the U.S. Department of Education and helps companies measure and demonstrate the relationship between their workforce education investments and organizational performance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Think of training as an investment, not an expense; you may have to spend money to educate employees, but your business will benefit from having happier, smarter and more productive workers.
• •  Don't just teach employees new skills, let them use them; rewarding trained workers with more responsibility will help you retain them.
• •  Training should be an ongoing process; encourage employees to approach you about new learning opportunities when they become bored with their current position.

A learning management system is a way to organize training materials and activities with software. This software was created for those who work in human resources departments record the completion of employee training programs, recertifications and online assessments. It is also useful in industries that require compliance training. For the convenience of both the employee who needs training and those tracking progress, LMS systems are often web-based for easy access.

LCMS training can come from many sources. You can find it through the software company, third party trainers and self-guided training materials. Learning management systems education and training will teach you skills such as:

1. How to enter and organize information in learning management software.

2. Applying the system to streamline human resource records.

3. Troubleshooting errors and mistakes in inputting.

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Participate in online training courses to learn the basics of a content management system

Many software companies provide online training tools that can teach your staff to use the features of LMS software. Most of these teach the basics of the program, but some are also suited for more advanced training. This can come in the form of online courses, web conferencing and self-guided training materials.

I recommend: SumTotal provides online training courses for its learning and performance management software systems. The SyberWorks training center offers many online training opportunities that can teach you to use its LMS software, including web conferences and mobile learning.

Take advantage of in-house training programs used by LMS providers

In-house training programs are often the most comprehensive way to learn a new software system. Experts in the program will come to your company and show employees how to use the software. This training will include written course materials, presentations and teaching with simulations or scenarios.

I recommend: TrainingForce provides on-site training for companies that use its software system. Training can include on-site, teleconferencing and distance learning options. Halogen Software provides on-site training for businesses during the implementation process, as well as support for post-implementation.

Explore additional training resources for learning management systems software

If you want to provide employees with additional training opportunities, there are many educational resources online that can supplement existing training or provide troubleshooting information for those who are still unfamiliar with LMS software.

I recommend: Meridian Knowledge Solutions has a courseware library that provides custom solutions for LMS implementation in your business. PointeCast offers training information and troubleshooting solutions for its LMS software in the support center.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because many learning content management systems are web-based, it is a good idea to train employees on a backup system that can record information if the server or Internet access is not available.

Compared to their counterparts in the past, businesses today operate under the belief that a "bottom up" strategy will ultimately drive growth and profitability. No longer do HR departments cease any involvement with employees once the hiring process is over. On the contrary, it's now standard practice for businesses to create company-wide learning management systems that cover not only hiring and onboarding of new employees but also the development of skills that allow the employee to advance within the corporation, possibly even to leadership roles. Become familiar with learning management systems key terms to understand these concepts in greater detail:

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Learning strategy

Professionals urge businesses to develop a corporate learning strategy as the first step toward implementing a company-wide learning management system.

I recommend: E-learning engineering puts the corporate learning strategy concept into perspective. Find out how a learning strategy helps you focus the learning management system and get some tips on how to create a learning strategy.

Skill assessment

When you consider skill assessment as part of your company's learning management system, you're looking at the skills an employee currently possesses and comparing them to the skills the employee hopes to learn.

I recommend: At Pat Alvarado, you’ll read about two examples of a skill assessment. Consider also how the skill assessment is updated.

Enterprise Learning Automation

Learning management solutions providers are emphasizing what has become known as enterprise learning automation, a system in which procedures and files related to learning management are handled electronically.

I recommend: Learn.com explains the processes that an enterprise learning automation system can perform. Find out which businesses in particular stand to benefit the most from an enterprise learning automation system.

Performance management

The term performance management refers to a key component of any learning management system - the ability to identify employees' skills in entry level positions and to chart their progress as they improve skills over time, frequently when their job responsibilities have increased.

I recommend: To understand how performance management helps drive your learning management system, check out the discussion at SumTotal. Find out how performance management can provide the comparative assessments your managers may rely on to make key decisions.

Onboarding program

Learning management systems have to start at the beginning, when an employee is just hired and goes through a company onboarding program.

I recommend: Corner Stone on Demand helps you understand how an onboarding program is crucial in determining how successful an employee will be in your organization. Corner Stone also identifies some of the chief characteristics of an employee onboarding program.

Competency management

Just as essential to a learning management system as skills assessment, competency management shows that you're making efforts to ensure employees are qualified to handle high level positions.

I recommend: SyberWorks explains the value of defining job responsibilities and skills to competency management systems which, in turn, drive your company-wide learning management strategies.