Should Your Company Employ An Open-Source Or Cloud-Based Learning Management System?

 

Many businesses today are faced with the dilemma of building their own LMS or partnering with an existing LMS provider. There are numerous factors to consider when deciding which path is best for you and your company. It’s important and time-consuming to select the best learning management system for your business, and doing so requires spending time and money on research. 

 

 A multi-platform LMS like iSpring Learn facilitates a solution to the knowledge and skills gap in addition to providing a framework for coordinating training and learning within your organization. It offers services at a reasonable price and offers customers all the vital LMS features as well as additional components. It also allows you to track employee performance and meet compliance requirements.

 

In your search for the best fit for your organization, you will come across two types of LMS: open source and legal cloud-based. If you’re not sure why one is better compared to the other, this article will explain the distinction between these two options.

 

Let’s look at the differences and figure out which LMS is best for your organizational requirements, goals, budget, and future needs.

 

Open-Source LMS

 

When a learning management system is referred to as open-source, it means that all programmers have access to its source code. It is not exclusive. It is normally created as a result of public coordination and made freely available. Instead of paying for such additions from development companies, enterprises can customize the configuration of their LMS and create their add-ons and other features.

 

The Advantages Of An Open-Source LMS

 

Open-source learning platforms offer businesses many advantages besides customization options, such as the following:

 

• Adaptability 

 

The open-source LMS can be modified, providing a level of flexibility that is not available from any other LMS.

 

• Cost-efficiency 

 

Open-source solutions are less expensive than comparable proprietary solutions because the core software is freely available, and when you choose a managed open-source solution, you only pay for the add-on services you need.

 

• Potential for development 

 

You may be starting small, or you might have the chance to expand or use your LMS for different purposes. That is made easier by open-source.

 

• Consistency 

 

Open-source developers make their work available to the public. There is no risk of the code being overlooked and falling into obsolescence, which is a risk with any proprietary LMS if the firm that controls the software goes out of business.

 

Cloud-Based LMS

 

A cloud-based LMS can be accessed through the internet. Since this LMS is usually hosted off-site, your servers and resources won’t be restricted. These are frequently referred to as hosted LMSs.

 

Advantages Of Cloud-Based LMS

 

The positive effects on your clients are the most obvious advantage of switching to a cloud-based LMS. The following are some of the benefits of a cloud-based LMS:

 

• Simple to understand and utilize

 

The cloud-based LMS is extremely simple to use daily. They are created in such a way that information is easily accessible to users. Furthermore, an administrator can monitor and tweak the system’s operation as needed.

 

• Extremely scalable

 

It is extremely scalable and can make space for new registrations. Furthermore, users can be managed and tracked to ensure that they are not hindered in their training. Employees in the world’s largest companies can benefit from a cloud-based LMS that simply needs to receive the right data.

 

• Excellent storage

 

A cloud-based LMS does not store data on your device. As a result, everything you share, whether it’s an image or a video, is instantly uploaded to the system database.

 

• Secure

 

It is a secure and encrypted platform where users can share data without fear of it being disrupted, changed, or stolen. The administrators are also responsible for their safety.

 

Choosing The Right LMS For You

 

To make an informed decision, make sure you’ve defined your learning objectives and goals. What are the essential features you require in an LMS? What are your requirements after a year from now or in five years? Will the LMS be able to help you in the future as well as right now? Will it ultimately support your goal of increasing training effectiveness and assisting your team members in achieving success while creating a stronger entire organization? 

 

Conclusion

Both cloud-based systems and open-source platforms have their advantages. However, many businesses that begin with an open-source system eventually shift to a cloud-based LMS. Saving money is one reason, but it is not the most prevalent. It is usually done to gain access to the required features and capabilities. Regardless of how much money you save on integration in the end. If your system lacks the capabilities and features you require and your organization lacks the improvement and talent to build them, it is preferable to work with a supplier who can support you at every stage of the process.