Learning Management System (LMS): what are the benefits for your company and your employees' training?

Employee training is a major issue for companies. There are many advantages, both for the company and for the employees who benefit from it!

And if you want to keep abreast of everyone's progress and offer high-quality learning content tailored to the specific needs of your business, the Learning Management System (LMS) is the best solution. Express training on the subject. 📖

See all software Learning Management System (LMS)

What is a Learning Management System?

The Learning Management System (LMS) takes the form of a platform designed for the pedagogical training of learners. This tool, which can be translated as a "learning management system", is mainly used in companies, but can also be used as distance learning software.

The great beginnings of the LMS can be traced back to the early 2000s, at the same time as the democratization of digital tools. One example is the famous Moodle platform, launched in 2002 and still active today. Over the years, the corporate world has rapidly integrated the Learning Management System as an essential cog in its internal organization.

💡 By way of example, a study carried out by Seira Formation attests that 87% of French companies use e-learning solutions.

What is an LMS used for?

Unsurprisingly, a Learning Management System is first and foremost designed to promote learning. Through the creation and distribution of educational modules, this training tool aims to put learners in the best possible frame of mind.

👉 For employees, using an LMS platform enables them to :

• enhance skills and qualify for a position of greater responsibility ;
• identify strengths and areas for improvement;
• discover new areas of interest and develop their missions;
• feel valued and recognized for the progress they have made.

👉 On the management side, setting up a Learning Management System platform is also very useful. In particular, it can be used to define a personalized training strategy and to manage employee skills development more effectively. The courses integrated into the software can be :

• built in-house,
• or ordered from training organizations.

In the same way, it's extremely simple for management teams to track employees' progress day by day, while guiding them towards the training courses best suited to their professional development. 📈

How does it work?

Generally speaking, there are two ways of integrating a Learning Management System tool into your company:

• in SaaS (software as a service) mode: data (teaching modules, digital resources, learner responses, etc.) are stored in the cloud and can be accessed anywhere, from any device, using a login and password. Flexible and affordable, this is the preferred type of integration within companies;

• on premise mode: data is hosted on a local server, which presents certain disadvantages, particularly for remote training. While the on-premise mode ultimately offers greater freedom, it also implies higher costs and, above all, a technical team dedicated to its maintenance.

🔎 In practical terms, LMS software follows a relatively simple architecture. There are generally two interfaces:

• one for users: learners navigate through different learning modules, choose the courses they wish to take, take part in assessments, consult their progress curves, etc. ;
• one reserved for administrators: trainers create or integrate pedagogical content, choose evaluation methods and criteria, track employee progress, assign specific learning modules according to current needs, etc.

In addition, most Learning Management System platforms offer a model based on the principle of scalability. When the software is first integrated, only the basic options are available to users and trainers. But as stakeholders become acclimatized to the various tools, new modules can be integrated step by step.

The main features of the Learning Management System

Diversification of learning content

The user experience is crucial to employee motivation. It is therefore essential to offer them a variety of modules, both in terms of content and form. In other words, the idea is to avoid long, soporific courses as much as possible 😴 by focusing on original, fun content. We can thus imagine :

• videos ;
• interactive slide shows ;
• webinars ;
• collaborative work; etc.

Of course, the same goes for assessment modules. The more diverse and original the content, the more motivated learners will be to practice!

Freedom and ease of course module construction

The vast majority of LMS software packages allow you to integrate courses designed by professional trainers. All you have to do is download them - free or not, depending on the provider and subscription chosen - and you're ready to go.

Sometimes, however, companies wish to develop their own learning content. In this case, you need to rely on software designed for the simplified creation of courses and assessments. The integration of graphics, videos and audio tracks are all basic functions, but invaluable for trainers.

Integrating artificial intelligence

AI offers countless possibilities. Integrated into Learning Management System software, it is used in particular to create courses and assessments from documents shared by administrators.

🤖 But artificial intelligence can also be used to identify each employee's areas for improvement and direct them towards suitable, targeted modules to help them progress.

Access to a reporting and analysis system

Another basic functionality of an LMS platform is the reporting and analysis of online courses.

• The first thing that comes to mind is tracking learners' progress. In fact, a reporting system makes it possible to monitor the learning pace of each individual and assess the quality of the work done.
• It also serves to identify any shortcomings on the part of the trainers. For example, a module with a very low execution rate may alert administrators. It may be that the course is poorly constructed, too long or simply not attractive enough, leading the teaching team to rework it accordingly.

Mobile compatibility

Granted, non-responsive applications are very rare these days. But it's always a good idea to make sure that your Learning Management System software has been transposed into a mobile version!

Indeed, the interface can sometimes suffer in comparison, discouraging users who are adept at distance learning via smartphone. Inability to play videos, slowdowns, poorly framed texts... these are just some of the minor inconveniences that can be detrimental to the learner.These are all minor inconveniences that can be detrimental to the learner and encourage him or her to wander off to apps that have nothing to do with e-learning (even if there are plenty of cool tutorials on YouTube and Insta 😁 ). 🎥

Gamification

As the name suggests, gamification involves bringing a playful dimension to learning sessions. With this in mind, several solutions are possible. These include

• points and trophy systems to unlock ;
• collaborative challenges, which can take the form of escape games or serious games;
• competitive challenges between employees to encourage them to outdo themselves, with perhaps a reward at the end of the day (beware of poor losers...);
• interactive quizzes ;
• etc.

💡 Did you know? A study conducted by TalentLMS suggests that 61% of employees surveyed said they would be more inclined to follow a training course incorporating gamification.

Integration with your existing software

To make learning with an LMS as easy as possible, developers generally try to integrate it with solutions currently used by companies. For example, certain functionalities of software specialized in HR, video creation or sales follow-up can find an echo within the Learning Management System platform.

Certification of certain modules

To formalize the acquisition and mastery of certain skills, it is sometimes necessary to go through recognized certifications. With this in mind, some LMS software programs offer users the possibility of obtaining a certified title after completing a training course.

Taking account of specific business needs

Depending on the company's sector of activity, an LMS can offer content and training courses that are more or less adapted to it. There are specialized software packages for the healthcare, hospitality, sales and real estate industries.

LMS benefits

Benefits for the company

Improving employee well-being

First and foremost, there are the benefits for the company. By offering employees the opportunity to train, and by extension to aspire to positions of greater responsibility, you are helping to increase their well-being at work.

An employee who feels recognized, valued and challenged is highly beneficial to a company. So, introducing Learning Management System software into your organization indirectly contributes to :

• promote employee fulfillment;
• increase productivity and motivation;
• build employee loyalty and avoid high turnover;
• strengthen team spirit, etc.

Optimize training costs

Thanks to the Learning Management System, companies have control over the content delivered to their employees. If they have in-house resources, they can delegate course creation to a dedicated team of trainers.

What's more, all the content created remains accessible to all learners, year after year. While some courses may need to be updated, the core content remains the same. To put it plainly, betting on the LMS represents a substantial cost during the launch phase, but is generally a source of positive return on investment.

Refining learning content

• Thanks to the reporting tools integrated into LMS software, trainers can identify the courses that generate the most interest and the best results.
• And, conversely, they can detect those that are being neglected by learners or that show a low retention rate.

✅ It's then easy for them to rework the content and try to make it more attractive and efficient.

Facilitating the integration of new employees

When you join a new company, it's sometimes difficult to integrate the codes as quickly as you'd like. With unfamiliar software to master and a new work organization to get to grips with, it's normal to feel a little disoriented.

That's why onboarding is a crucial step for the company, and the Learning Management System is a valuable aid. By preparing a training program tailored to the new employee, the company makes a major contribution to facilitating integration. New employees can familiarize themselves with their new environment at their own pace, while management teams observe their progress and help them to take up their new positions in the best possible way 😀

Improving the company's image and attractiveness

It may sound obvious, but integrating a Learning Management System solution helps to modernize and give a positive image to the company, particularly when it comes to recruiting new talent.

Indeed, people looking for a new job often ask about the company's culture. And the presence of the Learning Management System within the organization is an argument to be put forward to candidates wishing to join a company concerned with the well-being of its employees.

Benefits for learners

Master your career plan

Many employees find it hard to pinpoint what they want in terms of professional development. A lack of long-term vision can be detrimental to motivation and well-being at work.

Through regular training exercises and the completion of training courses and certifications, it's easier to better define the contours of one's future project and develop the key skills needed to achieve this goal.

Progress with complete autonomy

This is one of the great strengths of LMS tools. As an employee, it's sometimes difficult to manage your time as you wish. Between rush periods and unforeseen events, we can tend to neglect the time devoted to training, all the more so if these are solely face-to-face. 😬

With a Learning Management System platform, the question no longer arises. Each employee is invited to progress at his or her own pace, according to his or her workload. If the software is integrated in SaaS mode, it's even possible for employees to train online and remotely. A very practical advantage, especially for employees who telecommute or travel a lot.

Increase knowledge retention

Several studies prove it. E-learning offers a much higher rate of knowledge retention than face-to-face training. According to a survey carried out by the Research Institute of America, the retention rate for e-learning is between 25% and 60%, compared with between 8% and 10% for face-to-face training.

Unlimited access to all learning content in a centralized location

Thanks to the Learning Management System, there's no longer any need to search for lost content in your company's offices. All courses and documents essential to employee training are centralized in a single, shared library, accessible at any time.

Some Learning Management System use cases

Now that we know more about the opportunities offered by an LMS tool, it's time to take a closer look at the use cases in which it comes into its own.

Example 1: Boosting your company's sales rate

After analyzing your results, you notice that the rate of in-store sales has fallen slightly over the past year, yet traffic is still the same. Perhaps your salespeople aren't performing well enough, and you need to find a solution to get the numbers going again. 💪

To this end, you can, for example, design or download a series of training courses built around sales and customer approach.

• As soon as the training content goes online, you can track the progress of each employee.
• Once the training has been validated, it's time to measure the results in the field.
• An upward trend in the sales rate may reflect an improvement in your sales staff's approach to customers, symbolizing the usefulness of the training they have received.

Example 2: Raising employee awareness of serious issues

Harassment in the workplace, inappropriate behavior, first aid... There are a whole host of subjects that deserve your employees' full attention. And rather than forcing them to attend training sessions that are not always welcome, it's possible to raise their awareness of these important corporate issues by offering them the opportunity to validate certifications autonomously via a Learning Management System platform.

With the rise of artificial intelligence, the organization of work in many companies is already undergoing profound change. However, this necessary adaptation to increasingly present and powerful technological tools must be anticipated. With this in mind, training your employees to master new IT tools via specially designed courses will rapidly become a priority.

Through the Learning Management System, employees are naturally more inclined to learn. They evolve and progress at their own pace, and find it easier to master complex tools.

Strengthening team spirit

The content integrated into Learning Management System software is becoming increasingly varied. While interactive videos, quizzes and PowerPoint presentations are still commonplace, the last few years have seen the emergence of educational content that is increasingly exciting for employees, particularly through gamification.

For example, by regularly offering your teams the chance to take part in collaborative Escape or Serious games, you are helping to strengthen team spirit among your employees. Training time is no longer seen as a chore, but as a refreshingly convivial experience.

Work on soft skills

When we think of training in the workplace, we inevitably think of improving know-how and so-called technical skills. But soft skills should not be neglected! To help and encourage employees to develop their soft skills, LMS software is more than welcome.

Conflict management, stress management, self-confidence... These are just some of the areas on which employees can work to improve both their professional and personal lives.

In this respect, it's easy to imagine some employees taking these courses outside the office, which once again justifies the relevance of integrating a Learning Management System platform for employee well-being and fulfillment.

How to choose the right Learning Management System?

There are a number of criteria to consider when choosing the Learning Management System platform to integrate into your organization. Key points to bear in mind include

• service responsiveness: breakdowns and other technical problems can occur from time to time with LMS software. This is not an end in itself. Nevertheless, it is essential to be able to count on a responsive and competent customer service to resolve any problems;

• simplicity and speed of use: to avoid reluctance on the part of employees, the LMS platform must offer an optimal user experience. This translates into an intuitive interface that is accessible to all, including those employees who are farthest removed from the digital sphere;

• the freedom to design modules: the more trainers can create fun, original courses, the more learners will respond positively to the training objectives set by the company;

• the integration of a reporting system: to monitor learners' progress and adapt courses accordingly, it is essential to be able to track individual progress in real time;

• the presence of a feedback tool: it is important for learners to be able to give feedback on the training they have taken. Did they find the content sufficiently clear and comprehensible? Were the evaluation methods relevant? This feedback is very useful, enabling trainers to revise courses if necessary, with a view to offering the best possible content to employees;

• SaaS hosting: while local network storage may have certain advantages, it has to be said that cloud hosting is currently the most flexible and convenient solution for companies. Employees simply need to create a login and password to access the LMS platform remotely and at any time;

• Pricing: LMS platform publishers offer a range of different packages. Generally speaking, they are subscription-based, with prices varying according to the number of learners.

See all software Learning Management System (LMS)

The Learning Management System in brief

As you can see, the Learning Management System takes the form of a dedicated learning platform that is particularly useful for companies.

• On the one hand, it enables administrators to monitor the progress of teams and direct them towards the most appropriate training courses.
• On the other, learners can progress at their own pace, benefiting from varied and attractive learning content.

Are you currently looking for high-performance software tailored to your needs? Take a look at our guide to the best training and e-learning tools on the market!