Today the learning management system has become one of the major software inculcated in businesses to support productivity, scalability, and employee retention. It is also necessary, as it provides continuous and self-paced learning for any industry. LMSs are not just restricted to the education industry but also large industries, corporations, non-profits, or even government entities. With the right type of LMSs, companies can upscale their business and ensure the continuous learning & growth of their employees.
However, this is a big question – Which LMS should I pick? And the answer to it usually is custom LMS. After the LMS selection comes the hosting. There are two kinds of hosting – on-premise and cloud. Companies with a low budget usually pick the cloud as it provides all the necessary functionality with stringent security. But if you are a mid-size firm to large organization, it is recommended to have an on-premise LMS. In this article, we will draw light on on-premise LMS’s pros and cons as well as its features.
On-Premise Learning Management System
Before running towards the on-premise definition, let’s talk about data. LMS is all about lots of data in various forms and its management. Selecting an LMS or even getting a custom LMS development for your business gets seamlessly integrated into your business ecosystem. But have you ever given a thought to the security structure of the data that is being retrieved and sent to LMS and different sources?
A learning management system consists of valuable data, such as models, courses, personal information, tasks, compliance, programs, and much more. A simple breach is capable of destroying the brand image and reputation. Data security is an important factor when taken seriously, that can save companies from financial and emotional harm as well as build requisite confidence in employees.
If you pick cloud LMS, you might not be able to perform stringent security audits as they might not be able to deliver over a secure connection, which might be a concern. When you give data to a SaaS system, you mistakenly invite some unknown entities who can intrude and access potential data. Here is when an on-premise LMS is suggested.
On-premise LMS is a system that is purchased by the organization. Servers, features and an entire code is owned by the company that can be modified as they see fit. Companies invest one time for the on-premise LMS that offers complete flexibility and greater control over the implementation process and LMS data. You can also apply multiple protection layers to secure the data more.
However, the code is personalized, yet it is essential to have a specialist LMS provider to help you during server crashes and want to make changes to the existing LMS.
Pros of On-Premise LMS
Quick Fixes
With an in-house professional team, you can always go for changes and stay reliable on them for any downtime and maintenance. The in-house team can always be available to narrow down the gap while handling on-premise every time. The team also ensures utmost security that deters the chances of the server being hacked and losing your valuable data.
Internet-free Access
The Internet is a big need for today’s constant data flow. The work hinders when the internet is interrupted. Even the training seems difficult without the proper internet. Here is where you can benefit from an on-premise LMS. An implemented on-premise LMS will work continuously without any internet. You will not have to rely on the internet for your everyday tasks smoothly.
Budget Saving
With the on-premise LMS, you only pay once and own the software. It is just like owning a home and then only spending for its maintenance. Hosting LMS on-site can save a company from a lot of rental costs that are paid every month to host the software.
Cons of On-Premise LMS
Need Space
In order to have on-premise LMS software, you might need space for hosting. You would need resources to run the software, such as an external hard drive and servers for hosting and ensuring that you keep your hardware running smoothly.
Cloud Migration
Regardless of the on-premise LMS, the software needs to be hosted. It is seen that in-house hosting is becoming expensive and requires a lot of space. Hence, the hosting is being shifted to the cloud. So, someday you might want to upgrade with time as the market changes.
If you see the global Corporate learning management system (LMS) market size is expected to reach USD 7570 million by 2026 from USD 1776.9 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 22.8%.
Let’s further move towards LMS features that make an effective online learning process possible.
Top Features of On-Premise LMS
Course-Assignment
User roles and permission levels to access the content from LMS are one of the aspects of the software. The organization has to handle training courses for different roles and departments hence, permission is also granted differently.
Content Authoring
To have an on-premise LMS means it must be flexible and able to easily deliver matching training content to every employee. A customized LMS can be integrated with advanced content authoring tools that allow the creation of complex training content inclusive of maps, interactive videos, and calculators.
Mobile Learning
With mobile-first technology being adopted more, companies have become inclined towards developing a mobile-friendly learning management system. Mobile learning solutions offer digestible content that can be consumed in different forms, such as podcasts, daily tips, blog posts & more, which makes training engaging and fun.
Testing and Assessment
Keeping track of the learning and the knowledge gaps helps in the progress of the businesses. Testing and assessment tools include tests with different kinds of interactive content, such as MCQs, text entries, polls, surveys, and similar.
Gamification
Gamification is a method to engage and make learning fun at all times. Features such as achievement points, leaderboards, badges, and more can help employees acquire new skills in a good way to improve employee involvement in online learning.
Artificial Intelligence
AI-integrated LMS supports personalization in content. An advanced solution integrated LMS defines a unique content learning path that lets the learners adjust their learning as per their pace while adjusting the prior performance results and proficiency level.
Analytics and Reporting
Another essential feature that lets companies track the performance of LMS as well as track trainees’ engagement. The feature offers test results, course completion duration, and more. This feature also helps in maximizing the value of the LMS implementation while addressing the issues immediately.
User-friendly Interface
With a sophisticated, simple, and easy-to-navigate user interface, any industry will not have to worry about the usability of the LMS in different industry verticals. A clean and neat interface lets users easily navigate through all features.
All-in-one Suite
A multi-functionality LMS adds value to your services. A substantial system should include a relevant system such as a content management system, domains, custom courses/portals creation tools, automation, collaboration, video conferencing, and more.
Additional Plugins/Addons
The top LMSs encompass some of the most crucial third-party modules/add ons and integrations. For instance, Moodle LMS extension can greatly extend the functionality of your LMS or you can add video analytics to provide you with valuable insights and render better learner’s interaction with LMS.
In a Nutshell –
Choosing an LMS requires a lot of work and due diligence. However, an on-premise LMS implementation requires strategic planning so that the right features are integrated as per the business needs. On-premise can offer long-term benefits and cost-saving when done properly. With the help of LMS consulting, on-premise LMS can cohesively fit with the business environment and contribute successfully to the goals of the company.
Author’s Bio: Scarlett works with the editorial team of A3logics, a leading company offering LMS Solutions. Exploring the latest technologies, reading about them, and writing her views have always been her passion. She seeks new opportunities to express her opinions, explore technological advancements, and document the details. You can always find her enjoying books or articles about varied topics or jotting down her ideas in a notebook.
