Why You Should Choose An All-In-One LMS With A Built-In Authoring Tool
A few decades ago, all you needed to survive in the jungle was a swiss knife. But things change. It’s still the ultimate utility tool, but now it’s hard to travel with. Similarly, the idea behind an LMS that offers the total package is to provide a comprehensive solution. But do the benefits outweigh the disadvantages? Is an LMS with authoring really the best investment? Let’s take a look at some of the most surprising reasons why you should add all-in-one LMS platforms to your shortlist.
6 Unexpected Benefits Of Investing In An All-In-One LMs
1. Reduces Development Time
Whether your authoring tool is built-in or independent, it greatly speeds up content creation. Rapid authoring software comes pre-loaded with templates, stencils, and content development shortcuts. These may include course frameworks, quick-editing features, scripts, and import functionality. However, when combined, it simplifies the content creation process. Using an authoring program that’s part of your LMS gives you easier access to content generation resources too. This is because you can easily access any digital document within the office space, all with a single click. You can then tweak it for your purposes.
2. Eliminates Compatibility Issues
In an ideal work-space, the purchase of management of software would be left to the IT department. In reality, you may get digital products from other unexpected sources. A c-suite marketer might attend a seminar and come back with grand ideas and grander purchases. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Their non-IT background may expose them to technological blind spots, noticing things the IT crowd takes for granted. But it also means you may end up with multiple software categories. And you may find none of them meshing. If your authoring tool is intrinsically part of your LMS, at least you know that portion of your toolkit is compatible. Thereby, eliminating the need to purchase replacement platforms for your team. Your team will thank you for investing in an LMS with authoring that simplifies their work duties instead of creating undue stress.
3. Lowers The Learning Curve
For Millennials and younger age groups (iGen is now starting to join the workforce), using a computer is a given. Technology is as familiar as electricity, so it doesn’t take long to adjust to new software. Even so, some workers may struggle a bit, so they’ll need additional onboarding and guidance. Software training doesn’t have to be complex. If your software has a video tour, that’s generally enough. That said, trainees have to get acquainted with every new software you buy. This orientation window could take anything from two minutes to two days. If both the authoring tool and the LMS exist on the same platform, that’s one less program to learn. This also lightens the load for your IT team, who will only have to worry about fielding questions for a single tool.
4. Trims Licensing Fees
There are two popular deployment types, self-hosted and cloud-hosted. Though there are lots of hybrid options, like self-hosted clouds and VPS. Whichever option you go for, you’ll probably need some kind of user license. In cloud-based systems, the license fee may be lumped into your subscription charge. Whichever option you settle for, having two separate pieces of software, LMS and authoring tool, means two independent licenses. So, for practical reasons, having them merged into one cuts your licensing fee by half, at least in theory. Keep in mind that some all-in-one LMS platforms may be costlier up-front. But you must factor in all that you’ll save by not having to purchase third-party authoring tools… and their renewal fees.
5. Eases Distribution
The beauty of an effective built-in-authoring LMS is their comprehensive set-up. If it’s configured properly, you can do everything within the same platform. Send emails, receive memos, clock-in and out, check your corporate pension, or have an instant-message conversation with HR. So, when training materials are developed within the LMS, using built-in authoring tools, it’s easier to share. The same centralized system can be used to generate individual employee reports and track their performance. You can send notifications when learners ‘forget’ to train.
6. Streamlines Upgrades And Updates
Another expense you eliminate with an all-in-one LMS is upgrades. Some vendors charge extra for newer versions that maximize punctuality. But an LMS with authoring saves you the time and trouble of updating a separate content creation tool or tools. This also means that your IT team and LMS admins will only have to fine tune the newly upgraded tool once. Instead of having to look for glitches and familiarize themselves with fresh features for every platform.
Conclusion
When a software vendor, or any marketer really, offers a two-for-one deal, it’s rarely genuine. Usually, the price of the "free" item is hidden inside the package. So, in the case of rapid authoring tools built into your LMS, you need to ensure that it is more cost-effective. You also need to weigh the benefits to determine if it’s the right choice for your organization. Or if you’re better off sticking with your existing software setup. Bear in mind that an LMS with authoring allows you to build courses faster, and trainees will get familiar sooner since there’s only one piece of software to acclimate to. For the same reason, license fees are lower, distribution is easier, and there are no compatibility problems. As you shop for your newest software acquisition, consider one with built-in authoring features.
Have you created a requirement list for your new LMS platform? Have you factored in all its costs? Can you really afford your top LMS contenders? Or are there hidden LMS fees that may whittle down your limited resources? Download the free eBook How To Buy The Right LMS: The Complete Guide and learn all about the tell-tale signs that your organization is ready for a Learning Management System, the top criteria for choosing the best LMS for your organization having all possible LMS hidden fees in mind, as well as the LMS reports you should look for in a new LMS.
