An effective learning management system (LMS) can help learning providers streamline their training and educational needs to reach rapidly growing user bases without compromising quality.
But, in order to do so, they need to be scalable.
Both in-person and online learning has advanced greatly since the explosion of massive open online courses (MOOCs) in the 2000s and 2010s. Today, experts know that so-called “one-size-fits-all” solutions don’t cut it. True LMS scalability comes from commitments to customization and integration rather than generalization.
Below, we’ll explain what features stand out in the best learning management systems, their benefits, and how to choose a scalable LMS for your business.
What Makes an LMS Scalable?
LMS scalability is all about supporting the growth of e-learning and other businesses by delivering better learning outcomes even as needs grow in volume, complexity, and diversity.
Ultimately, it’s an LMS solution that powers sustainable business growth.
When comparing build vs buy LMS software for scalability, it’s critical to consider factors like the following.
Flexibility and Customization
To support growth over time, an LMS needs to empower learning across changing business needs. Expanding into new industries and clientele requires a bigger and deeper knowledge base and novel methods of disseminating intelligence.
Scalable LMS solutions allow for custom interfaces for different use cases, diverse learning strategies, and adaptive learning paths that grow alongside individual users. These can be customized to necessary and advanced competencies for any role, journey, or context related to a learner’s position, industry, or location.
Integration Capabilities
As a business grows, so too will its tech stack. To that end, a strong, scalable LMS should be able to integrate and work seamlessly with other software solutions.
Some of the most critical integrations for LMS include:
- Human resources information systems (HRIS)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) tools
- Messaging and communications platforms (i.e., Slack)
- Single sign-on (SSO) and account management tools
If third-party apps and software are critical to your business model, you’ll also want to consider current APIs and integrations—and what the process is like for adding new integrations and support for a given LMS solution.
See our LMS integration checklist for a deeper dive into the integrations you should target.
User and Permissions Management
Another critical consideration for scalable LMS is its smooth and secure user management. A growing user base makes managing accounts and permissions challenging, especially if there are any applicable privacy concerns.
A strong, scalable LMS powers efficient and secure user management.
Features like role-based access control (RBAC) allow for granular monitoring and restriction of user behavior based on their role and any associated rules. This is a boon to security because it limits the risks of data compromise. It also creates a more frictionless user experience (UX) by reducing the need for re-authentication.
Content Management and Delivery
LMS platforms also need to account for content production, deployment, and management scalability. Course content and training materials will only grow in number, diversity, and complexity.
This includes archived data on past courses and learners’ performance. Your LMS should support a near-infinite scale.
This also includes accessibility. A scalable LMS makes all learning materials easily available to ready and willing users, irrespective of platforms or devices. It should all be available in many forms to meet diverse needs and wants.
Put simply, supporting learning at scale means meeting learners where they are.
The Biggest Benefits of a Scalable LMS
According to Deloitte, high-performing learning organizations enjoy advantages in several key areas. Namely, they’re 46% more likely to be first to market, 17% more likely to be market share leaders, and 58% more prepared to meet future demands.
Scalable LMS solutions pave the way to these outcomes with benefits like the following.
Maximum Cost Efficiency
A scalable framework minimizes the cost of a learning program over time. Many top scalable LMS solutions have relatively high upfront costs compared to free or low-cost software. This is mainly because these latter options offer fewer customization and optimization options in exchange for a low barrier to entry.
However, those limitations become increasingly difficult at scale. In contrast, the value of scalable LMS only becomes more apparent over time, as greater upfront and long-term functionality makes processes easier throughout all stages of growth.
For more, see our guide to measuring LMS return on investment (ROI).
Improved Performance
Scalable LMS also powers continuous performance improvement across training programs. Whether in-house or through an e-learning platform, outcomes can be measured in terms of the information, practical skills, or competencies learners retain.
For example, key performance indicators (KPIs) for customer training include:
- Direct sales successes like conversion or subscription rates
- Customer satisfaction and clients’ customer success stories
- Technical support efficiency (i.e., reduced calls, faster service)
Monitoring performance over time allows adjustments to be made at regular intervals and after special events such as a new product or service launch.
Enhanced Customer Training
In general, the business value of customer training comes from increased retention and scalability across existing and future client bases. Strong LMS solutions raise awareness of products and services more effectively at scale, providing greater rather than diminishing returns as a business fears the prospect of tapping out its potential.
Scalable LMS software streamlines logistics and administrative tasks, allowing for engaging social learning for customers and efficient management for adopters.
How to Choose the Right Scalable LMS
Choosing the right external LMS to power sustainable growth means striking the right balance of features, functionality, and fit for your organization. The first step is assessing your business needs and goals.
Generate a list of questions to bring to a prospective LMS vendor, ranging from general (i.e., “Can it support online courses?”) to specific (i.e., “Will it work with our HR platform’s configurations?”).
Next, you’ll need to evaluate LMS providers’ scalability. Look for flexible integration and user and content management platforms.
Finally, you should target scalable LMS providers that offer support and guidance in implementation and management. The best partners are committed to helping you succeed by supporting learners, instructors, and everyone impacted by their LMS.
Implement a Scalable LMS Today
Scalable LMS solutions streamline the delivery and management of customer education, training, and more, all from a unified platform. They’re also optimized to grow alongside a business, thriving rather than struggling at scale.
Thought Industries provides a robust, scalable learning management system for learning services providers and businesses across all industries looking to optimize their training and education programs.
Named the #1 learning platform in the world in 2023 by Craig Weiss, we’re committed to supporting our partners’—and their clients’—growth with solutions that empower every learner to create as much value as possible. Get in touch today to learn more about our scalable LMS solutions and enhance your business growth!
