Is it Time to Switch Your Learning System Software?

Most people fight change. It’s tough. But there are times when it’s also necessary _ and that is what we’ll talk about today. Specifically, when should you consider switching to a different learning system software application? Here are some thoughts:

When the application is no longer flexible enough. 

It’s time to switch when the application can no longer meet your company’s needs. For example, many learning systems set status dates automatically and do not allow company administrators to change them manually. 

When the company provides poor customer service.

Sometimes it’s hard to get a Learning System Software provider to return your calls. And the larger learning system software suppliers may not want to spend time customizing your system unless you are willing to spend significant amounts of money. So when the phone line starts to ice up, it’s time to look around. 

When the application is no longer supported. 

A few years back, many Pathlore LMS® customers had to scramble after Pathlore was purchased by SumTotalSystems®. And they had good reasons to do so. SumTotal eventually stopped supporting the Pathlore product. And Pathlore customers who did not want to move to SumTotal’s own application had to find other systems. 

When the application is old. 

If it runs on old technology or outdated standards, it will be difficult to integrate with your company’s newer servers and business applications. Sometimes, an application is no longer technologically viable. 

When there is no e‐Commerce functionality. 

Today, many companies want to sell product training as a value‐added service to their vendors and distributors. So e‐Commerce functionality is important. The ability to use purchase orders, perform product bundling, offer sales promotions, generate robust sales reports, and perform transactions in different currencies may become critical enough to switch systems. 

When data migration is difficult. 

Some out‐of‐the‐box (or SaaS) low‐cost learning systems don’t support customized data‐migration. And as your company expands and changes, you may eventually hit a system‐integration wall with your current application. 

And when you decide the time is right to switch, always make sure that your current courseware will still work in the new application… before you implement (or even purchase) it. And if a provider doesn’t let you do that, look elsewhere.

About SyberWorks 

SyberWorks, Inc. (www.syberworks.com) is a leader in the custom e‐Learning Solutions and Learning Management Systems for businesses and other organizations having 100 to 10,000 learners. Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company serves the multi‐billion‐dollar e‐Learning market. Since 1995, SyberWorks has developed and delivered unique and economical solutions to create, manage, measure, and improve Learning programs.

SyberWorks also offers Quality Management and Document Management modules that are tightly integrated with the LMS.  This enables the free flow of data and insights from one system to the other.  You will save money and improve your audit performance with one integrated system custom configured to your needs rather than 3 separate systems.  Or, start with learning management and add other modules as needed.