LMS OR TMS?
Most vendors have not only evolved the LMS/TMS
definitions considerably, they have also tried to overlap the functionality between an LMS and a TMS.
Although the line between a learning management system (LMS) and a talent management system (TMS) has blurred considerably, it's important to note that they each had different beginnings. An LMS was originally designed to handle the administration, documentation, tracking and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content. A TMS had its genesis in a slightly different arena: addressing the "four pillars" of talent management (recruitment, performance management, learning and development, compensation management). Most vendors have not only evolved these initial definitions
considerably, they have also tried to overlap the functionality between an LMS and a TMS. Just know that these are not necessarily interchangeable terms when you start your search.
OPEN SOURCE OR PROPRIETARY SYSTEMS? Open-source soſtware, which is generally free, permits users to study,
change, improve and, at times, even redistribute the soſtware. Open-source soſtware is very oſten
developed in a public, collaborative manner. Examples include the following: >> ATutor (http://atutor.ca/) >> Moodle (http://moodle.org/) >> Claroline (http://www.claroline.net/) >> Dokeos (http://www.dokeos.com/) >> TCExam (http://www.tcexam.org/) >> ILIAS (http://www.ilias.de/docu/) >> OLAT (http://www.olat.org/website/en/html/index.html) >> Sakai Project (http://sakaiproject.org/) >> EFront (http://www.efrontlearning.net/)
So why doesn't everyone use an open-source LMS? Generally, it's because they consume the same level of resources that an on-premise implementation requires, plus a healthy dose of source-code maintenance if you want to add or change functionality. All of these issues cost money in the form of staff salaries, IT consulting and computer resources. Do your homework before you commit to a direction and determine how you want to invest your staff's time; it may cost you more than a proprietary system that comes relatively headache-free.
NEW SOCIAL AND PEER FUNCTIONALITY
Technology is truly pushing us into new learning frontiers. Tere has been a real explosion in social learning features — blogs and wikis, peer rating of content, tagging and book-marking, team calendars, private messaging, and media sharing to name just a few. If you think you'll be including some of this functionality, I did an article in our January/February 2012 issue on the specifications for a social learning
system. Tere is much more to discuss when it comes to
acquiring an LMS/TMS, so I hope you'll join me at the Enterprise Learning! Conference in September. For detailed information on the Learning & Talent Systems track, visit: www.ELCEshow.com.
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July / August 2012 Elearning!