Switching an LMS

As an experienced LMS user and someone who understands its role in creating an organization-wide culture of training and development, the importance of owning a hassle-free LMS is paramount. An outdated LMS—clunky and awkward to operate—owing to its dated design and architecture, is not suitable to meet modern training needs. Current LMS systems call for advanced UI & UX, mobile-first design, ease in operations, good vendor relations, and support. The ability to prove itself useful in all aspects of corporates training like – Employee Training, Sales Training, Compliance Training, Customer Training, and Chanel Partner Training is your ideal LMS.
When looking to switch your current platform, the following guidelines play an important role:

Understand your current LMS

As an existing user, your experience in operating the current LMS is central. Knowing exactly why your looking to switch is very important. Is there a ‘must-have’ feature that your current LMS is missing? Alternatively, is there a major reason why your users are not using the LMS (e.g.: poor UI or the lack of an offline mobile App)? Understanding the shortcomings of your existing system and identifying the useful features, helps in switching to an LMS which addresses the limitations of your current system while still possessing features that you desire. This leads to the selection of a well-rounded LMS.

Switch to a future-proofed LMS

The time and effort required to select, implement, migrate user data, courses, and reports from the existing LMS and the cost of implementing a new system often reiterates the fact that an LMS is a long-term investment. It is integral for the selected LMS to be future-proofed and stay relevant for an extended period. Some must have features in a modern LMS are:

Mobile-first LMS: Ensure training is accessible while on-the-go.
Accessible over multiple devices: Smartphones, tablets, iPads, and laptops—all devices are supported.
Modern UI & UX: Clutter-free interface and easy navigation, looks futuristic for years to come.
Powerful reporting mechanisms: Learners can upload videos, audio, and other supported files of their learning, while the administrators can assess the overall outcome of the training.
Easy integrations: The ability to integrate third-party systems allows the LMS to communicate with these platforms, transferring useful information with regards to changes, additions, and deletion of data commonly shared by these systems.

Create a data migration plan

When switching systems, an LMS which readily accepts user data, existing course material, and reports, is a good option. This saves you the time and energy required to manually enter user data or bear extra costs to re-create courses. Ensuring a smooth transition of legacy courseware helps in recycling useful content from the existing system while setting up the new LMS with ready-to-go content. It is important to migrate only that data, which is critical to your training and development initiatives since the transfer of unrequired data will make the new LMS a sluggish platform. When it comes to migrating data from the existing system, it is important to ask your current vendor on how they plan to help you. At the same time, it is vital to discuss data importing options with your new vendor.

Selecting the right vendor

One of the biggest reasons why organizations look to switch their LMS is poor vendor support and relations. Often, organizations find themselves working with vendors who are very rigid in what they will and won’t do. Often, these LMS companies aren’t very keen on customers below a certain size, and even if you do get onto their system, they may offer you very little with regards to after-sales support. If you find yourself in such a situation, it results in you buying and paying for an LMS over which you have very little control. Even worse, they consider you too small to address your queries and support needs. Moreover, the licensing model based on which you are charged isn’t flexible or economically viable.

Carrying out a detailed background check on the vendor’s after sales and support services is an excellent way to safeguard yourself from future hassles.

Make sure your vendor has:

Customer Success Teams: A team which ensures your new LMS is a success.
Customer Support: Strong customer support that doesn’t consider you too small to address regular issues.
Flexible, economic licensing model: Flexible licensing plans which makes your LMS an economically viable system to use and implement.

By considering these factors while selecting an LMS, you, as an organization, are ensuring the same mistakes wouldn’t be repeated!

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