Actually it means many things which is why the term itself should be kicked to the curb with serious force.

Just because a system lists itself as an extended enterprise does not mean it comes with multiple domains (which with some vendors includes customized) nor with multiple portals or my preferable term – “multi-tenant”.

You may see an “extended enterprise” which not only refers to the company’s employees, but also their customers and channel partners. Or you may see an extended enterprise which focuses on the B2B, B2C or both.

That is the problem with the term and as such it creates quite a confusion in the marketplace.

It goes to Number 11 (Spinal Tap reference)

The problem is that there is no one size that fits all. Rather, it depends on a wide variety of factors including price (which always comes into play). Therefore, I am going to provide the following:

• $-$$$$: Price point based on 500 users. In some cases it will be noted if it is based on a higher set of users, since there are platforms that prefer a minimum or focus on larger size businesses including associations, etc.
• Multi-Tenant: Some people refer to it as portals and sub-portals. Although this is not proven, I believe that some of these folks refer to licorice Twizzlers as delicious. A multi-tenant is actually defined in a parent-child relationship. Whereas you have a parent (main company) and then its channel partners, etc. who are children. One channel partner/customer (which might be a company – often seen with TP) is a child. The parent can see every child including their data, but the child can only seem themselves and not any of the other children or the parent.
• TP – No this does not refer to toilet paper or toilet papering a house who gives you crummy candy during Halloween. Rather it refers to a Training Provider, which is a firm/company that sells 3rd party courses through B2B or B2C channels. More often that not, B2B channels.
• B2B – Business to Business
• B2C – Business to Customer
• CP – Channel Partner. There are some systems who target only channel partners.
• SB – Small business
• SMB – Small to mid size business
• MB – Mid size business
• M2L – Mid to large size
• LB – Large business

Defining the employee size

You can find a lot of LMS companies who provide different information on the size of business. For me, I define company size by:

• 500 or less employees: SB
• 501 to 1,500: SMB
• 1,501 to 5,000: MB
• 5,001 to 10,000: M2L
• 10,001 and higher: LB

For B2B, B2C – I do not define by a set of numbers.

Whom do you Love

Expertus One ($$$-$$$$)- Still the best multi-tenant platform in the market. The system works at all levels: across the global enterprise, B2B, B2C, Channel Partners, mid size, mid to large and definitely large.

Each update takes the platform up on notch on its competitors. Big wins for me include:

• On/Off synch for mobile devices
• Native app available in iTunes/Apple and Google (Android) – very few vendors have native apps
• New social which offers expert network, skills training ratings (using a slick interface), built in web conferencing (their own and they also offer WebEx and GoTo Meeting), wizards on the admin side which not only saves time but is easy to use
• Each tenant can have its own look, brand, logo, etc.

The one item that I see as needing improvement is the look and feel of the reports – but I have been told this will be in the next update (a few months from now).

If you are someone who is considering some of the bigger dogs like Cornerstone or SumTotal, I would seriously look at these guys. Personally, I think they crush the monsters of midway aka CoD et al.

eLogic Learning ($$-$$$) – Another solid performer who continues to get better and better. SMB, B2B, Channel Partners, small biz, SMB, mid size. The UI continues to improve but IMO it stilll lacks the slick interface that I so desire.

Big wins:

• On/Off synch for mobile devices, also supports Tin Can API
• Easy to use interface
• Supports 3rd party APIs – actually most do, but again, if you asked “hey can I have Slideshare in my system”, they would say yes. Some systems say yes but really do not want to do it – and it is quickly recognized
• E-commerce included
• Nice classroom management
• Each tenant can have its own look, brand, logo, etc.
• Tin Can API

Besides UI tweaks, my only other real complaint is their setup fee. Just as ExpertusOne is a high. That said their pricing for users is moderately priced and I believe extremely affordable for what you get.

BizLibrary $-$$. While I find their LMS name, “Company College” a minor challenge (I think it is a disservice to the product itself) there is no mistaking the oomph of this solution and where it started out to where it is today. Small biz, SMB, mid size (will work), B2B, TP, Channel.

Big wins:

• User interface is easy. Again, would love to see it become more slick and crisp, but hey I want every system to be that way. At least it does not look dated.
• Video blocks – You can have video clips or videos or video teasers shown on the home page and even the course catalog – providing a new way to explore content, beyond just the typical text info that is regularly seen on systems (you can still do it with theirs too)
• Custom tenants – each can have its own look, branding
• Compliance

One item I wish they would improve:

• On/Off synch. They don’t have it – and I still don’t understand why not (of course, a lot of systems don’t – what is taking so long?)

Docebo $. The platform continues to impress. The personalization, localization, multiple tenants- each with its own logo, etc., CEU tracking, themes, easy to use on the front and back end. Another shoe in for sweet. The UI is strong and the price point is very inexpensive. TP, B2B, B2C, Channel partners, small business, SMB. Although mid size will work.

Big Wins:

• Comes with free courses and course marketplace – one click to add to system
• App marketplace – click and quick – it is in your system
• Did I mention the personalization – each end user can select their own language – ideal for global
• Each tenant can have its own look, logo, branding
• Literally a one stop shop of a system
• Tin Can API
• Comes with LRS (learning record store – which is still a major work in progress – the LRS premise that is, not the LMS)

One item I wish they would improve or add:

• On/Off synch

I like you, do you like me?

Firmwater $-$$. A solid performer all around and still a nice winner in the SMB space. B2B, Channel, TP. Employee size small to mid size. You can’t go wrong with the system, but what is taking so long with a more modern UI? (as you can see this is a huge peeve of mine)

Epignosis – Talent LMS $. Very clean interface that comes with a strong set of features. But it does not come with talent management, so the name is somewhat wacky. As aforementioned, the UI is clean, but some the admin side which uses some icons, etc. – that while is simple to use, still doesn’t blow me away with coolness. Small biz, SMB, B2B.

Absorb LMS $$- Still quite strong as a multi-tenant platform. Charges a $5 per learner (one time fee) but it is still moderately priced. HTML5 UI which is very slick and easy to use. The add on Mercury module should be included (but that is my personal vibe). Once the leader of multi-tenant, but no longer. I see them more along the lines of SMB and up – including large. B2B, B2C, Channel and TP.

NetDimensions - $$-$$$$. The system as a whole is quite robust including digital signatures, online/offline synch and a very nice UI. It’s latest social just doesn’t wow me, so if that is something you are high on, then move on. B2B, Channel and maybe B2C. Mid size and up.

Infor $$$-$$$$. Another player in the space that not only fits the build of an extended enterprise but also as a multi-tenant. Ideal for large size and up, although I’m sure they will argue that they can be in the mid size and up category. I’m just not a fan of the hierarchy look for them, but they do offer on/off synch and a solid set of features. Please note that Infor owns Certpoint. Infor offers a lot of products including an ERP. My personal opinion is that Infor sees their Certpoint acquisition as a key part of their HCM.

Accord LMS - $$. From a feature standpoint this platform can do it. It’s UI still needs improvement. Small biz, SMB, mid size, B2B, Channel, TP. Service is outstanding.

I can make you smile, if just for a little while

SuccessFactors $$$-$$$$. A true extended enterprise with a nice UI. I have some concerns about how SAP will play with them (right now they are separate, but who knows).

I dislike that the platform does not automatically include at no charge a SSO between it and SAP. Sure they offer it for a fee, but heck any LMS that interfaces with SAP offers the same option for a fee. Works in the B2B, B2C, Channel side. Upper mid to large – although I suspect I will receive an e-mail from them saying otherwise.

Can I say hello?

LogicBay $$-$$$- Never heard of them? Don’t worry, I suspect you are not alone. What makes this platform so unique is that its target is more along the lines of manufacturing including logistical companies. The UI needs some major tweaks, but they are here because of their target market – especially from my perspective the logistical companies, including trucking. Mid to Large, Channel.

Bottom Line

What may mean one thing to one person does not mean the same thing to another person. That is a big issue when it comes to extended enterprise versus multi-tenant (or as some refer to it – portal/sub-portal).

It would be grand if all was equal, but not even in real life does that apply.

I wish it would.

E-Learning 24/7

Perhaps you see it as an extension to an already in place, ILT (instructor led training) program. Or as an extension to classes at your school or university.  Maybe you see it as a component within a blended learning environment.

But what if it was more than that.  Much more.

One stop shop

Offers a multitude of services to customers. Typically is a location or business.

Walmart Way

• One stop shop – containing everything you need
• Some Walmarts include groceries and auto services – including oil changes and alike
• Net sales of 466.1 billion (Walmart, end of fiscal year ending in January 2013)
• Amazon.com 13.18 billion dollars in revenue – Q3 2012 (Engadget, 2012)

Whether you like Walmart or not, it changed the retail landscape forever. As a result, numerous businesses started to copy its format. The biggest is Amazon.

So why am I telling you this? Because the one stop shops are now appearing in learning management systems, for the better.

The new LMS

If you are taking a deep look around the LMS market you may be hearing a new buzz word, “ecosystem”.  Some LMS vendors have used the term in the past because they themselves saw their platform as a one stop shop.  They probably offered you the ability to buy courses through them eliminating the need to go directly to the 3rd party vendor.

They also may have offered the ability to create courses for you, at a fee.

The problem though is that what was available in the past, no longer applies today.

Why? 

Because in today’s global market (not just with e-learning), the expectations of consumers has changed.

If they have a smartphone or tablet- they have downloaded apps.  If they are taking college type courses online for free, they are likely to be visiting a MOOC.

If they want to take courses on how to learn software or business or whatever, they may be watching videos on YouTube – for free or paying a fee to use such sites as Lynda.com.

If they desire to take courses through a marketplace or exchange they might be going to Open Sesame which offers the ability to buy and download courses – to use in any LMS.

Maybe they found a LMS that included social and performance management (assuming that is what they wanted).  Perhaps they wanted a human capital management platform containing various sub-systems including learning, performance, compensation, etc.

Or they decided to implement an ERP and interface it with a LMS.

Without realizing it, consumers (end users) were pursing one stop shops through e-learning.

The problem though is that none of the above constitutes a true ecosystem – a complete package wrapped into a system.

Ecosystems the LMS Way

I loved the term that vendors started to push in 2012 and continue to do so in 2013 – “scalability”.  It makes me laugh. What they are trying to do is to offer an alternative to an open source platform which allows unlimited users.   They assume that you will go “hey, I could have had a V-8 and a LMS that enables me to have unlimited users and all the features I want.”

The spin of course is that the open source platform you would download – and yes, it isn’t free after you customize the whole thing, can provide something that is only for you – designed the way you want and include only the features you want.  I know what you are thinking – I have created my own ecosystem – my own Frankenstein.

Yes it’s a monster, but it is not truly an Ecosystem

Right now you are saying to yourselves, “he keeps mentioning this ecosystem, but he hasn’t told me what it actually is and it is bothering me.” I hear you. No, I really hear you – telepathically.

My definition of an Ecosystem

For me a true LMS ecosystem consists of the following – all of it – not just pieces:

• One click – they select it and it zings right into their platform – they can also remove it with one click
• Courses included into the system at no cost – more than five – ideally more than twenty
• Apps, add-ons, plug-ins or whatever terminology you want to use – the customer simply clicks what they want and whalla it goes into the platform – think ala carte without the hassle
• A store or exchange – could contain not just the company free apps but also apps from other end users either for free or fee (the end user sets the price)
• Within the store or exchange or perhaps they call it a marketplace – 3rd party apps/add-ons/plug-ins can be installed for free or purchased through a 3rd party – but again.. you do it there – and one click install.  Examples of the freebies would be perhaps the standard ones such as Skype, Slideshare, Evernote or less common ones such as MailChimp, 280 Slides, GradeGuru, EyeJot, Palbee
• From the fee perspective – add-ons, apps or plugins could include Salesforce.com, Zendesk, Freshbooks, Echosign, Nimble
• Course marketplace – LMS vendor offers courses from 3rd party vendors – you buy it auto installs, also end users can create their own courses to use within the system – either offer for free or fee based – one click install
• M-Learning – native app, online/offline synchronization – supports HTML5
• Social Learning – you can tie this back into the apps – that is how I would do it
• Pre set list of APIs – again can be done numerous ways, and with some directories on the net having more than 1,000 of these things – you can get them and be ready to rock n roll
• Features that already exist – event management, e-commerce and alike – again, the features that are already in place are there because it is a LMS. If you want to go more robust with your event management take a look at Cvent

I don’t see the performance/talent management and some functions of a human capital management as part of an ecosystem – because it is not universal. A lot of people do not want it – and even though it could be turned on or off, it often is an additional cost for each module.  If you want to include it at no charge within your platform – and end users can turn on/off or one click then it is doable.  But from my perspective it does not make this a true ecosystem.

What is great about the apps and add-ons is that you can offer a CRM, web conferencing tool, video messaging, etc. – that people can select from and one click into their system.  You do not have to include it, and as a complete ecosystem – it is customized to the client’s choice. If they want to remove the app, they simply click out or delete it (however you set this up).   If they want to add more – they can.

Where’s the App?

Here are a few places to check out apps, add-ons, extras, etc. – that any vendor could put into place if they wanted to, and yes, if you want to use them on your own, you can certainly do that.  These are my favorite sites.

• Go2Web20
• Zapier - they offer a free package but also fee based. Oh, you can create your own Zaps – apps
• Discovery Education Web 2.0 apps
• Appappeal - over 3,000 apps
• Wibiya

Bottom Line

 People want choices, they want simplicity, they want easy – which offers them the ability to do it themselves and  they want a one stop shop. 

If you think about it, Walmart and Amazon offer the exact same things.

The difference is that they are not a LMS ecosystem.

But you should be.

E-Learning 24/7

1976. VHS VCR comes home – literally if you bought one.  Beta is better, but VHS wins.  Beta player owners realize the game is up – and decide to cryogenically freeze players until the masses realize what they are missing.

1978 – Laserdisc debuts in Atlanta, GA.  Far superior to anything before.  Beta folks run out and buy it.  VHS still dominates. Beta folks strike out again.

1981 – MTV arrives. Video Killed the Radio Star debuts. Everyone watches it – because it is the first video to be seen on the station.

Flashback

1980′s – VCRs are huge – I mean big as in large items on top of your TV. They are also big in the market – people are buying them.

Flashback

1990′s – VHS still dominates. Masses own a VCR.  DVD players appear in 1994.  The masses start buying them in droves in 1998.

1995 – Real Media arrives on the internet scene streaming an entire baseball game that probably no one watched.

Flashback

2000′s – HD-DVD shows up, so does Blu-Ray. Beta and Lasderdisc fans rejoice! Blu-Ray wins. People who bought HD-DVD players – learn that they make great flying objects out of five story buildings.  Beta folks still waiting for Beta to return.

2012 – Mobile video consumption rises up to 5.4 percent, which may seem nominal, but it is a 64 percent increase from April of the same year. (Ooyala, Nov. 2012)

2013 -  LMSs are not the only learning system in town. The new kids of the block (please no jokes here) are Video Learning Platforms. While they have been making roads in the educational markets for the past few years, some solutions start to target the corporate market too.

Grab your Video

Video in e-learning means something quite different than video in its usual term.

• Screen recording and capture – often seen in demos or software or web tutorials
• Screen recording and capture with audio narration
• Live broadcasting – Steve is in Long Beach, Anna is in Moscow – the communicate in real time with or without a live audience – i.e. watching via their computers or mobile device (may include synched slides, but not a requirement)
• Taped live broadcast – taped earlier at some point and then posted for people to view
• Video itself -  streamed, recorded, edited then posted, posted without editing,  etc.  – may/may not include audio incl. background
• Video captured with a smartphone, tablet, digital camera (if available), DV and HD DVC (digital video camcorders), web cam, etc. – may/may not include audio incl. background

Not your Mom and Dad’s VCR

While a video learning platform might have multiple products at the end of the day it is built upon two key components (which they all have in some form)

• Recording device – Some call it a recorder
• Video content management system – this is where all your wonderful videos get housed, including audio podcasts (some offer this feature too), audio, slides, etc. – this is the backbone of the platform

On the recorder side you have a device that can record a variety of things – from your web cam to live broadcasting to screen recording and captures to meetings and much more.  All the VLPs have a recorder (they may call it something else though).

Recorders also

• Stream your video
• Publish your video  – more on this in a sec.
• Deliver live presentations/events/meetings/webcast – to name a few
• Synch documents, slides with your presentation
• Other options – depends on the vendor

VCMS

The video content management platform is a requirement if you are going to use the VLP as a standalone and not in a LMS – yes you can interface (more on that shortly).  The other requirement is that..uh, you know.. uh RECORDER!

Typically the video content management platform consists of (please note: that some vendors call their VCMS something else)

• Media Library – Where your videos, audio, etc. is housed
• Folders – think categories – you can put videos in each folder depending on topic, company (if you are offering a B2B angle), departments, events, basically however you want it
• Encoding  and Processing
• M-Learning support – all devices including iPad and other tablets
• Can interface with learning management systems – including educational focused LMSs – always contact your vendor if you want to go this route — i.e. interface/integration/extension
• Ability for end user to see the videos – i.e. check out which videos they want to view, click on them, watch them, and yes even buy them (some vendors offer e-commerce)
• Analytics and Reporting – If you are expecting similar to a LMS it is not going to happen, but for most folks they want to know how many times did Sue watch the video, which videos did she watch, how long did she watch, video rankings – can include “most popular”, “highest rated”, “most commented”, “most liked”
• Access control – Think Admin control
• Can group a set of learners/viewers to see ABC videos and then set a group of learners or even one learner to see a totally different set of videos
• User names/passwords, etc. – similar in many ways to the LMS side of the house in terms of user names/passwords
• Video search – think video search engine
• A sharing function of some sort – might be via social media
• Slide synching
• HTML5 support
• SaaS or on your own servers – they can do both, but ideally prefer SaaS (they host it)

Optional (not all VLPs offer this, hence optional)

• Video transcript – this is a must IMO because it enables your viewers to see the text below (not as close caption)
• Narrative transcript – When the person says “dog” it goes right to the video text transcript where the word “dog” is shown, often this is displayed on the VLP screen (not on your video) with specific clips, so you just click the clip which already contains the word or words and watch it – and yes see it

This is great because you no longer have to watch the entire video or try to hit rewind to go right where the person talks about what you want to hear. Narrative is a must feature IMO.

• SCORM compliant
• 508c compliant
• Offline viewing
• Video editing
• Plugins
• E-commerce
• APIs – as in their (video learning platform itself) API is open
• Player templates
• Playlists
• Close captions support
• Social components – beyond the share functionality
• Users can “like”, “rate”, “leave comments”, “share”
• Users can download videos
• Transcription services – already in the platform. Vendor has an agreement with a 3rd party which will transcribe your entire video and publish the text to match the video. This is a nice feature because you do not have to do it yourself – which is available to you as well.

It is all done within the platform, so you do not have to send the video to be transcribed to the 3rd party vendor, wait for it to get back and then publish. It is all self-contained.  This is typically an additional cost – i.e. having an actual human (which is how it works) transcribes your video.

Another capability of transcription services is the ability to change the language. So if your video text initially is in English and you want to change it to German you can via the platform. Again, similar to how the transcription service works, with a real human being translating the text.

Always an additional cost.  Please note that this is in reference to the video text transcript and not the user interface or VLP layout.

• Supports H.264, MP4, MOV, WMA, AICC, etc. – always check with the vendor – they all support HD
• Skinning and Branding inc. your own logo (not all the vendors offer this option. If they do it is often included at no charge.) If your VLP is on your own servers most of the vendors will allow you to customize the CSS.
• Custom domain
• Multiple layouts. Knowledge Vision offers 85 different layouts – that is a lot
• Multilingual – as in the user interface, labels, etc. – again not everyone supports multiple languages (besides English). Don’t assume that when they say “we support multiple languages” it means they support nine languages. One vendor supports 25 languages, another supports two.
• Can change labels, headers, fonts – not everyone offers this ability

Video Break

Uh it is an actual video break. So here is a video for you:

Video Break is over

Video V-Costs

You might be thinking wow this sounds great, but I bet it costs a fortune and you would be incorrect.

VLPs are actually very inexpensive when compared to the LMS market.

Fees are not necessarily charged by seats (i.e. active users) which can create confusion when trying to compare pricing apples to apples.

Costs

• Charging by the number of recorders you purchase and the number of usage hours.  A recorder is tied to a machine (computer). So if you have five people using one computer for the recorder, you get charged only for one license. If the same five are all using recorders on five different computers it equals five licenses.  The usage hours  (which are quite high) equate to the number of hours which can be recorded/viewing. Using this pricing model, the number of people viewing is unlimited.
• Charging by active users
• Charging by active presentations.  Active presentations are defined by the number of videos on the platform. The time of each video is irrelevant.  For example, you have 20 videos uploaded, of which eight are ten minutes in length and the rest are 85 minutes in length. Number of active presentations is 20.

With this pricing model – unlimited viewership, unlimited people accessing the system. 

• One flat fee – Appears in open source platforms. Be aware that an open source platform is just how you imagine it – you have to fully customize it.
• Charging by number of users, storage and bandwidth

Many of the vendors have a setup fee – but this is not universal.  The same with support – can be the whole thing or just parts and then you pay extra for additional support levels.

Top Five Video Players

1. Panopto - Very finesse, but lacks the ability to remove their own logo, skinning – as in your colors not doable, no social. Offers recorders pricing model and also active users model – you choose. Does offer educational pricing.  Targets education, non-profit and corporate markets.  SCORM Compliant.
2. KnowledgeVision - Wonderful platform, loads of features – uses the active presentation pricing model.  Offers three editions – may offer educational pricing – please ask.  The KV Studio is the product to look at.  Targets education, non-profit and corporate markets. SCORM Compliant.
3. Kaltura – Open source platform, extremely robust.  The platform is not free – you have to pay. They do also additional packages and add-ons, and there is a cost.  What I love is their Exchange marketplace which lists an extensive list of partners that can integrate, support or work with their product. Reminds me of similar marketplaces like Google Apps or Intuit. No SCORM support. Can create a channel in the Roku store.
   
4. Vidizmo – Has a nice set of features. Back end is easy to use. Pricing model is active users. Has potential. SCORM Compliant. 
5. MediaCore - UI is similar to YouTube, but they lack video text transcript, narrative search and a few other feature sets. Heavily focused on education market.  Not sure if they have any corporate clients. While the site says you can customize the colors of your system that is incorrect (according to a person I spoke with at MediaCore).

Bottom Line

Video Learning Platforms are here to stay and more importantly, ready to take off both in terms of usage and feature sets.

If I was looking at entering the e-learning market as a vendor, I’d take a hard look at the VLP space and then I would jump in feet first.

Just making sure that I don’t hit a beta video player that someone has finally realized isn’t coming back.

Because it isn’t.

E-Learning 24/7

Let’s jump right in for the game action.

TOUCHDOWN

I was really impressed with a few new products
Go! Animate
A unique product that uses the power of animated figures

SaaS product and streaming included. Pricing is low.

Please note they do not yet support HTML5, but again with MP4 no worries – it can be seen on any tablet, including iPad

Mango

I see it not only as a standalone but also as a course or courses within a learning platform

INTERCEPTION

CODEBABY

Not sure what is going on here, but the product which was cutting edge a couple of years back, looks stale. One of their problems has always been the price point – way too high, but now others are in the game and why they don’t necessarily have the design similar to CB, they do have the ease of use angle. Which CB does not.

FIELD GOAL IS GOOD

I have been told that Articulate Studio 13 is targeting a launch anywhere from Q2 to Q3, but don’t be surprised if it gets pushed back into Q4.
That said, I will be providing a product review on Studio 13 before it is launched – AN EXCLUSIVE. I’ll be providing updates on this in the near future.

FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT – BLOCKED

Out of all the shows, this is the one show that brings the most decision makers, and yet the number of vendors here is not great. Equally surprising are the lack of LMS vendors. I mean a huge amount are not here.

Makes no sense to me. Although I do think one reason is the location. San Jose is not ideal for companies on the east coast and it is not a “must” want to visit location. Las Vegas which is where the show is held – every other year – is a far better location.

Still the numbers are disappointing.

That’s it for now. Thursday: Recap day two of the ASTD TK13 show, including expo. – another blog post.

E-Learning 24/7

Jargon

The industry uses a lot of jargon and it is easy to become confused. Let’s break down the most common terms and two new terms hitting the space.

• LMS – Learning Management System – most commonly sought out by folks. Can include talent management/performance management features or add-on modules (which are often built into the system, but turned off)
• LCMS – Learning Content Management System – going the way of the dodo bird
• M-Learning- Mobile Learning. This means the system can be viewed via a mobile device. It does not mean that the system comes with a native app nor offers online/offline synchronization
• E-Learning – Online Learning. Many people confuse the term thinking it means electronic learning and thus will boost that they were doing e-learning 20 years ago or even longer. Not true.
• TM/PM – Talent Management/Performance Management. Used interchangeably. The most common features within this area for a LMS, include 360 feedback, skill gap analysis, performance reviews and skill paths.
• HCM – Human Capital Management. A HCM will include such modules as compensation, payroll, recruiting (which may include career planning, job postings, etc.), benefits and HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems). You do not have to purchase all the modules. You can pick and choose or buy just one.
• RCAT – Rapid Content Authoring Tool. This is a product where you build e-learning courses. It is called rapid because you can build quickly without any real tech skill sets. Some tools offer more advanced capabilities and features for folks who have a strong ID (instructional design) or e-learning developer skill sets. Common brands under RCAT – Articulate, Lectora, Captivate, Rapid Intake, dominKnow Claro.
• Sim Tool – Simulation Tool. Geared towards ID and e-learning developer folks. Tech skill set is required. Not for novices.
• Authoring Tool. See RCAT.
• SCORM/SCORM 2004, 1.2, AICC – Please read post covering this topic
• PENS – Created by AICC in 2005. Offers some nice capabilities compared to SCORM, but not widely used.
• Users/Seats – This approach is still widely used in the industry. A seat means one user name and one password. So if you have 500 employees who will access the system every month or for the year, then you need 500 seats. Some vendors (and it is gaining steam) offer “active users”.
• Active users – People who are taking at least one course during the month. Let’s say you have 500 users, but only 100 are taking one course in May. You pay only for those 100 users. The next month, 85 use it. You pay only for 85. There are a few vendors who will charge only when the end user completes a course (but this is rare)
• E-Commerce model – It is rare, but there are vendors who offer it. It is ideal for B2B and B2C channels. The vendors who offer it (and those who do – do not make it public – so if you want it – you have to ask) tend to charge per course sold. The charge – is a percentile of the sale. You set the price of the course, video, etc. The percentiles are not outrageous.
• Tin Can API – Better known as Tin Can. Communicates instances between a system and a device. Right now works with mobile devices. Could in the future work with XBox 360, SMART TV and other items of that nature.

Requires a native app (self-contained) on the mobile device and enables online/offline synchronization. Online/Offline synchronization allows the learner to take courses, etc. offline, without an internet connection and then when they have a net connection all instances (data) is communicated back to the LMS or other SaaS product. Some RCAT vendors have the Tin Can API as well as some LMS vendors.

• API – Application Program Interface. Many systems offer you the ability to add your own APIs and vice versa.
• LRS – Learning Record Stores. The newest kid on the block. In its simplest terms:

1. Tied to the Tin Can API.
2. Stores learning activites which are records
3. The records are housed in a learning store (repository)
4. While it can be a standalone it is more likely to be a part of a LMS
5. If an employee or whomever leaves the company/org., etc. and thus the LMS, and then goes to another system (another company) their learning record can go with them. This will enable the record to be stored in the new LMS of their new employer. The same could apply to customers (although not sure why you would allow it).
6. If you decide to switch to another system who supports LRSs, the employees/customers records could be moved into the new system, assuming you are having the same courses in the new system. You can have just a few of the previous courses or some materials that they have previously used or even completed test results.
7. Reported to be the next generation for e-learning and opens up the possibility of true interoperability from one system to the next

At this point, LRSs are really not ready for prime time. As one vendor who has LRS told me, it is still a work in progress and they do not offer it to their customers.

While it has amazing potential, I have some concerns tied to privacy and security, which I believe need to be resolved. These concerns are

• Would a company want their x-employee to have their learning record which would contain information that exists within your own system? Granted it would be of learning, but I know plenty of companies who do not allow former employees to take any materials, work that was created while employed at the firm.
• How many clients -i.e. businesses would allow their employees’ learning move from their solution into another, without their consent? Again, it ties back into the previous.
• Compliance issues and privacy. What about countries who have staunch laws regarding privacy. How would this work?
• Security concerns. How much data stored in the learning record would be moved? Honestly, if I was a training director for a financial firm or aerospace/defense, I wouldn’t be likely to allow them to take their own learning record. It opens up real security issues.

Do it yourself or Hire a consultant

When it comes time to do the leg work and identify systems that you are interested in and thus take a deeper dive leading to purchasing, the first thing you must do is decide whether to go it alone or hire a consultant.

What are the advantages of hiring a consultant

• Knowledge and expertise already exists. Assuming the consultant has vast experience in finding systems for clients, the time saved is tremendous. Many consultants, including myself know the market and thus are able to jump right in and move at a quicker pace than say someone who is new or in the process of looking around.
• Looking for a system or authoring tool can be overwhelming. With over 511 LMSs on the market and more than 140 authoring tools finding the right one can be an exercise in pain and confusion. A consultant will handle it for you and thus enable you to do other things, without having to worry about finding the right system or product.
• Assist with business processes. If you have never implemented a system, needing assistance in this area will reduce resources and productivity challenges. Not all consultants can offer this, but a few like myself do.
• Eliminates creating RFPs, shooting them out everywhere and waiting for a response. Plus it eliminates the sales people following up with you and for many people they do not want to deal with that.
• Time equals money and if you can lower the time spent, the cost for hiring some consultants will be well spent.

Going to Alone

I’ve done it many times – as a training director/manager – and haven’t had any problems. I never did a RFP nor spent more time than necessary to find a system. Sure things have changed – more systems than in any previous year – but if you are willing to take the time to do it – it can be done.

You should have a plan ahead of time of what you want to do and how you want to go about it. Many people don’t and that is where you will find yourself facing challenges.

Always follow these steps, which are essential to finding a system.

• Try to avoid using a RFP template. There is one vendor out there who has it and many people use it. The problem is that it contains so much information and it is geared toward that said vendor, it will be impossible for other vendors to match every item. Plus, nowadays many vendors can tell when someone is using “said” template and will not respond.

If you are going to use a template (I will be creating one in the near future for folks to use), focus on the key features you will need. Ask them for the price of the system and have it based on the projected number of users (seats) for the first year.

Also have them list the pricing for other items such as setup, SSO (Single Sign On), additional skins (if you plan to have an extended enterprise product), additional languages (the first one is always free) and any additional modules – if you are interested in them.

You always want the items to be listed – i.e. itemized and not one lump price. Find out what is included in the setup fee and whether it is one time or yearly. Make sure to tell them to be very specific when it comes to pricing and seats. Some vendors will tell you they cannot give you a price point. That is totally bogus.

Ask them if they will provide a sandbox (trial) with full access if they are in the top three. Ask them who would be your point of contact – it may not be the person who is doing the RFP.

Even if you choose not to use a RFP, make sure to create a quick spreadsheet listing the features you want – being specific. For example: you want a calendar. But do you want to be able to have the calendar on the home page? Do you want to offer people to register for ILT or webinars on their own? Do you want a wait-list? What about e-mail notifications?

Do you need to have a template within the system? Can you track to see who opened the e-mail notifications and who did not? Do you want to have SMS (text messages), which is growing in popularity? Do you want the ability to color code different sessions, add a brief description, include pricing (if applicable)?

As you can see, just saying one item and assuming the vendor knows what you want is not enough.

Similar to using the RFP, i.e. pricing, setup, training, etc. and the other information presented above, you should do the same if you are talking directly with the sales person.

Ask for specifics. There are some vendors who will refrain from giving you pricing as if their system is a secret project for only a select few.

It makes absolutely no sense. With so many products out there – you have the leverage so use it. I know of only two vendors who fought me on pricing and I ended up walking away. If they are doing this now, what happens when I get the system.

Speaking of features, if you want mobile learning ask them for specifics. There are plenty of vendors who say they offer mobile, but really want they are saying is you can view the system via your mobile web browser.

To me this is not mobile learning. If you want on/off synch ask them. That said, I have vendors who said yes or what do you mean, so expect to provide them information.

Forecast for three years

When you are preparing your game plan, you should focus on three years. This is because that is how long it will take you to build mass. Sure, you might do it earlier, but on average it takes three years.

Let’s say you find your system and want to get down and dirty with the pricing. To score a lower price point, provide estimates on how many users will be in year two and year three. If you have 1,500 employees right now, do you think you will have the same number in three years? If you are rolling it out in stages and in year one only 75 employees will be using it, how many do you think in year two?

Many vendors are now offering/going with “active users”, which is quite beneficial to those of us who do not want to pay for folks not using the system in any given month.

Demos

Only look at products you are seriously interested in. Salespeople will want to ask you some questions ahead of time before scheduling a demo, even if you want one. You will always want to have the demo with only yourself or team and no one else.

Some vendors schedule demos, which means that anyone including you/your team can be on it. I hate that. If you are important to them, they will go one on one with you. Also there are vendors who have demos online for you to see.

The problem is that they are not full demos, but rather pieces. You want the full one and you want to see front and back end of the system. The back end is the administrator’s side.

A vendor who knows what they are doing will ask you questions ahead of time (before the demo) so it can be tailored to what you want to see and need.

Always ask to see a few systems that are skinned/branded so you can get an idea on what a system could look like because the demos are typically vanilla (i.e. no real skins).

Make sure that the designs you are seeing are ones that are included in the price and are not an additional cost i.e. heavily customized by the customer. I’ve seen a few of these and then had to ask the vendor if the client paid extra for such a design.

A vendor who does not want to show you at least the front look and feel of another client, is not worth your time.

Negotiations and Contracts

I have an extensive blog article on this topic, but in a nutshell:

• Sign only a three year deal. Nothing more, nothing less. You can renew after the three years if you like the system. Some folks who bought the Learn.com system did not care for the Taleo purchase and thus were stuck.
• Opt out clause at the end of each year of the contract. Before the next year kicks in, you want that opt out clause, which says you can leave the system without any additional penalties or fees. Vendors do not put these into contracts, so you have to negotiate for it. I have only had one vendor who refused to do this – and guess what? I said goodbye. If they aren’t willing to do this for you, how rigid are they going to be or difficult when you need some other things.
• You want a discount. Never pay street price. Within the industry the discount tends to be 15%, although some vendors are now doing only 10%. If you are a non-profit, education institution or government entity you may get an automatic discount. This is quite common with non-profits but you need to ask and will need to provide a 501 C3.
• The bigger you are – i.e. size of users/employees the better the discount should be. If you have 50,000 seats you should have a better deal than someone who has 5,00 seats (sadly, this is the case). And that deal should include a better discount.
• Always have them itemize everything. I’ve seen vendors who have said the discount is in the total price, but how do you really know? You don’t.
• Also find out if the discount is yearly or only for the first year. What I have done in the past is break out the discount over my three years. One time I had a 20% discount. So what I did was pay full price the first year (when I had less seats), take 5% the 2nd year and then 15% the third year (when I had more seats). Again, some vendors will offer the split, some won’t but you won’t know unless you ask.
• If the salesperson says he/she cannot offer a discount ask to speak to the sales manager/VP of Sales or whoever is in charge. Nothing against the salesperson, but many cannot offer great deals. However the sales executive can.

Bottom Line

Buying a LMS requires some leg work on your part.

There are more advantages for you than in the past because there are more systems. Not surprisingly there are plenty who do the same if not better than the extremely well known vendors.

More importantly, you do not have to spend 250K or higher on a system. Nor do you have to spend 60K or higher for 500 seats.

The keys to success are right there for you.

It is what you do with them that will make the difference.

E-Learning 24/7

Thankfully, rather than just one person looking back and seeing what happened, we can all do so. 

I like that because it tells a story. The question though is will it be a happy or sad one?

On Fire

The year kicked off with lots of potential, lots of excitement in the air and lots of customers gearing up to purchase new systems, despite global economic woes.

Mobile Learning

• LMSs – Finally vendors took notice. Sadly though many still are in the dark on true mobile learning – i.e. not accessing their platform via a mobile web browser
• Authoring Tools – With only a small sample of vendors that are SaaS based, pickings are slim. Sure there were exceptions on the desktop side – most notably Articulate Storyline, but overall until desktop vendors see the advantages of SaaS, especially with real time collaboration and peer review, tablets will be slow going
• Web Conferencing – You would think that all these services would have a native app for tablets. You would think that they would maximize the power of the iPad 2 and iPad 3? You would be wrong. Frankly a few deserve coal in their stockings.

Market as a whole

Despite overall consumer demand (not just within e-learning) for tablets, and numbers showing that tablets are outselling notebooks, e-learning vendors as whole are sitting back and waiting. Those who aren’t are either offering native apps with online/offline synch or performing the shell game via the mobile web browser and calling it mobile learning.

The number of vendors who went mobile with tablets at the start of the year was extremely small compared to where it stands at the end of 2012.  A win in my book.

Online/Offline Synch

I am quite amazed at the number of vendors who really have zero idea on what the terminology of online/offline synchronization. I still get the yeah we do that, only to find out upon further discussion, that they don’t have it.  In the simplest terms:

• Joe EndUser (and yes, I know it is two words, but that is his last name), who is currently online is accessing the system or tool via his mobile device (preferably a tablet). He leaves the office or the coffee shop or his house and loses his internet connection. The courses are still on his device. He decides to bounce around the course and complete a few sections or goes linear and completes the entire course.

The next day or whenever he has a connection to the Internet, his data gets pushed out from the device and pulled into the platform or tool.

Synchronization has now been completed. All that data and information is now within the system and nothing is lost.

Here is a list of LMS vendors who offer online/offline synchronization via a mobile device, although there are a few who offer this but only via a laptop/desktop)

• AJ Square – but it is a separate module you have to purchase
• CertPoint VLS Portals – but only to a laptop or CD Rom – so not a mobile device
• Edubrite
• eLogic Learning
• Expertus One
• exact learning
• G-Cube
• IMC-Clix
• Learn Dash – a LMS on WordPress – but you must add TinCan API on your own
• All the Open source systems – again you must add TinCan API on your own
• Litmos – but only assessments
• Latitude Learning – only if you have the open source solution and you must add TinCan API on your own
• OnPoint Digital – M-Learning platform
• Pelesys – but the m-learning platform – available only for aviation industry
• Saba
• Steag
• Sum Total Systems
• Sum Total Maestro
• Syberworks
• TestTrack
• Upside Learning
• WBT Systems
• WordLearn
• VTraining Room

Cognetys offers it too but it is via their authoring tool partner, dominKnow Claro.

Authoring Tools

• Templates
• Avatars, Image characters, backgrounds that are business or work oriented
• Audio editing – still no match to Audacity, a free program
• Collaborative/Peer Review – but only one vendor enables the ability to work on the same course in real time with multiple authors – they just have to be in separate pages
• Notes/Notepad/Note taking
• Leaving comments with date/time stamps, making corrections, editing
• Increase in number of vendors

Social Learning

Overall, it wins the Grinch award for continued stagnation. Enough already with FB like pages.

Create your own news board, beyond just some RSS feeds? What about adding Goolge+1, video hangouts, or perhaps coming up with something on your own without replicating what is out there?

Thankfully, there were some concepts that were fresh and worked.

• Communities tied to courses rather than the entire platform. However those that followed this approach provided groups – with group chat, file repositories, discussion boards, forums, blogs, wikis and so on.
• Standalone platforms that were designed for their system but could be used either as a pure social learning standalone or via an API part of your own LMS. Best example? Ensemba by Media Defined.
• APIs of various social sites with Linkedin growing at a quick pace. Standards are Facebook and Twitter

APIs

A really nice upswing with more and more vendors having APIs readily available for end users (without the end user having to go find it). Favorites included:

• Skype
• Dropbox
• Yammer
• Salesforce
• Paypal

Newbies:

• Office 365
• Google – including Google Maps, Google Charts, Google Docs, etc.
• Mailchimp – e-mail marketing
• Google Calendar

Once Cold, now gaining steam

• Widgets
• Courses included in LMSs without you paying extra for them
• Selling courses online via your Next Gen Lite LMS, e-learning marketplace or even your LMS
• Video platforms, including video streaming – but still only a handful offering video editing
• Built in SEO (search engine optimization), e-mail marketing, marketing tools, CRMs (customer relationship mgt – used for sales)
• iCal – enabling integration of Outlook, Gmail and other internet e-mail providers tied to calendars within the LMS, thus webinars, seminars, etc. auto show up in their preferred e-mail calendar

My Forecasts for 2012

In looking back, six out of seven turned out to be on the mark. 

The ones that came to fruition were:

• Talent management – continued growth, rapid at that. 
• Social learning – forecast was that it would remain flat. It did.
• M-Learning – expecting it to be hot, and it hasn’t disappointed. Sure you could argue that not everyone has gone online/offline synch. Considering that the number was zero at the start of 2012. I would say that there definitely was a boost.

 As for m-learning in general related to tablets, there are a lot of systems offering it, even if it is via the mobile web browser. Numbers at the start of 2012 were dismal.  

• SaaS systems – i.e. LMSs – Roughly 95% are SaaS based at the end of 2012, with a percentile offering both options but pushing more for SaaS only.
• Online Authoring systems – the forecast stated that there would be a huge upswing and continued growth. Again, the numbers show this to be true.

The vast majority of these OASs are now next gen lite LMSs, but there are those who list themselves as collaborative learning environments, and an authoring system that is pure SaaS.  

One sort of did

• My forecast on Kinect identified that it would be quite slow out of the gate in 2012, but that there would be some growth by the end of the year with some vendors. The forecast stating growth in K-12 did.
• Kinect vendors in the consumer space did show up, they just didn’t cross over to the e-learning side, with the exception of two. 

One dud

• Augmented Reality. Everything indicated that this was going to show up in 2012, and it did in the consumer marketplace, but not really on the e-learning side. Sure there were some exceptions with people doing their own thing, but from an e-learning vendor standpoint, just did not happen. 

While I did stipulate that I saw Kinect technology more so than AR in e-learning, the truth be told, vendors stayed away. 

Bottom Line

Overall the e-learning market continued to show gains and benefits across the board.  This really could be seen at the ASTD International show which has always been known as a true ILT (instructor led training) angle, with materials.  

This year the show by my estimation was 60% pure instructor led/classroom based products and 40% e-learning. Some of the ILT vendors were providing components and offerings that were pure online. 

Based on conversations I had with vendors across the space, everyone told me that the broke sales numbers. Not just in comparison to the past couple of years, but all time (for those who were more than three years old). 

To me, this is the real story. 

And who doesn’t like happy endings?

Please note: There will not be a blog next week. The next blog will be on January 3, 2013 and will cover Learning Record Stores. 

E-Learning 24/7

A Mr. L.M. System had passed away. He was recognized throughout the e-learning and learning communities. Apparently he was loved by millions and hated by thousands. He tended to wear different colors and apparently wore logos – I surmise they were on t-shirts.

He was online quite a bit and provided a wealth of information to his clients.  LMS as his friends called him was known for being a workaholic.

There was something about him becoming formal and informal, which I took to mean he enjoyed going to the opera and such affairs or just chilling by the pool with his friends.

The obit was written by a Ms. T.M. System which must be a distant cousin.

Survival of the Fittest

I read and constantly research all the time. I live it, perhaps too much, yet the other day I came across a learning blog informing its readers that in order for the LMS to survive:

• Must become modular
• Must adapt to the new way of doing business
• Must evolve as technology evolves

Funny thing is that it the LMS market has been doing that for more than a decade.

Modular

Go back a decade or more and check out the number of systems that offered modules you could add to your system. Just as it was back then and is today – they are extra as in $$$.

Just as it was back then, most modules were actually in the system but turned off. When you bought the module it was turned on.

What Modules are being seen today as they were back in the early 200os?

• Talent and performance mgt
• Web conferencing or chat rooms – I know it might come as a shock but WebEx was alive and in full mode in 2000 and so was Centra – remember them?
• Forums and discussion boards
• E-Commerce
• Customized skinning – albeit in today’s market there are some vendors who charge for skins – disgusting!

Modules in 2012

Excluding the above, there are vendors out there who charge extra for

• Social learning – in many cases it is a more robust than your standard chat, discussion, etc.
• More robust talent management – for some clients succession planning, 360 feedback and learning development will not do – they need more -it is interesting to note that rarely do you see extensive HRIS or OD analytics as part of that additional services
• Widgets or Gadgets (as a module)
• Web conferencing module
• HRIS module
• Compensation, payroll management module
• Benefits module

Meeting the new ways of doing business

When a vendor offers the ability to add APIs, offer personalization, increases multilingual capabilities and provides

• Built-in marketing tools
• Invoice generating and billing functions
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization) including affiliate linking
• Multi-tenent with different skins and logo
• eBook platforms
• TinCan with online/offline synchronization or something similar with online/offline synchronization
• Lower pricing
• Compliance and regulatory
• Mobile with tablets
• HTML5
• Native self contained apps
• iCal – which synchs scheduling of events to your Outlook, G-mail accounts
• OpenID
• SIS integration (Student Information Systems)
• ERP integration (has always been available – as in over a decade)
• Crisp, clean and modern interface

I’d say they are clearly meeting the demands of today’s business and educational needs (for those systems targeting that market).  Even those who offer a pure open source system are meeting the needs of some businesses and educational institutions.

I’d go further and say that those systems who are targeting K-12 are clearly meeting the demand out there in the marketplace, more so that higher education (which also exists, but for many folks they focus not on community/junior colleges rather on 4 year).

Please explain to me, how systems today are not meeting those needs?

I mean sure there are plenty who are not doing a darn thing and if they are it is so minimal it is a joke (ahem – you know who you are), but overall the market is meeting the minimal needs of their target audiences.

Yeah, there are those who are doing more and they should get a major KUDOS for going beyond the minimum requirements.

As Technology Evolves

Again, without repeating the above, there are plenty of vendors who are doing just that and have been doing it over the past several years – i.e. keeping up with the technology and expanding their capabilities. 

Myth Building

I see many reasons for why such myths are out there and why so many people buy it as fact. After all, you see it everyday in your life.  Advertising and Politics are leaders of perpetuating myths to their audiences  (and no, I’m not talking about e-learning or learning).

In our e-learning slice of life, the myth builders and those who expand it are similar in nature to those folks hundreds and even thousands of years ago, who grabbed one idea and spread it as fact with each new audience adding a bit more to create a new reality.

The myth builders that exist in our space include:

• People who espouse views and terms that are better suited for MENSA than the general audience.

I am happy you know multi-syllable words, but honestly when did monolithic become part of the e-learning vernacular? (look a big word!)

• People who are ill informed.

They read Linkedin groups, various blogs and even newspaper/magazine articles, with folks who have no real life experience with e-learning, let alone a LMS, but have zero problem griping about it and its impact often negatively with learning.

• Some misguided vendors whose products are heavily geared toward something other than learning and who want people to believe that end of the LMS is near, so why use it?
• People who perceive online learning as doomsday to learning, especially classroom based.

I get it, you love instructor led, but come on read the research, read the data – of course, if you really dislike it – you can see dozens upon dozens of real facts and still see it as false. Can we say moon landing? (you would be surprised at the number of people who believe it was created at an Arizona movie stage)

Bottom Line

Let’s be real clear here

• Learning management systems are growing at a huge rate. In my latest LMS directory (to be published later this week), over 500 are listed.  My estimate is that close to 600 are in play, not including those who build custom systems as part of their consulting business.
• If the market was dying why are vendors paying huge sums of money to purchase other LMS vendors – whether in the same market or someone new to the LMS space?
• Why are many LMS vendors breaking sales records?
• Why are many LMS vendors who do not offer any talent/performance management features or functionality increasing their user base exponentially?
• Why are so many new customers entering the space and purchasing their first LMS?
• Why are attendees at trade shows geared to e-learning and LMSs showing up in greater numbers than ever before?

I’ll tell you why.

The LMS is not dead. It is not dying. It is not requiring an extensive set of variables in order for it grow.

It is not requiring talent/performance management to be an essential feature. It is not becoming a human capital management system.

It is becoming something people need and want.

And that is a fact, not a myth.

E-Learning 24/7

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Social Learning Platform

Just last week, I saw the best social learning platform ever. Seriously, awesome. Best of all, even if you choose not to use it, the product is available to the public as a new social media site.

From a social learning standpoint

• Built by NetExam and thus comes with the platform
• Can be also a standalone and/or interfaced with any learning management system or learning platform
• Focuses on the push and pull of information based on interests on relevant topics to the end users
• Comes with analytical graph
• Includes badges, ratings, comments, leader-board and peers
• Reminds me of part Pinterest, part StumbleUpon, part Scoop it! and part very cool
• Although it says “beta” it is live
• Product name is Ensemba

Just a few screen shots

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Learning Management Systems

• Built-in help desk – It is on the rise and I expect it to continue into 2013. With systems it comes in many flavors – with the most common being a ticket issue system that is tied into the end user side. End user has issue, submits ticket, receives update notifications until it is resolved. Can equally be used on the admin side, but the power is end user.

Benefit: Reduces calls to administrator and training/learning person who oversees the system and department. Reduces costs to vendor, which is big because everyone knows that support inc. tech support is costly to a company.

• Personalization – Appearing in multiple ways but the super size winners are those that enable each end user to select their own language, own widgets/gadgets and move block around. Learners like flexibility and what is better than having something flexible for their learning?

Benefit: Tailoring has always been a key to successful training and learning. Just because you purchase an out of the box system doesn’t mean that you stop at skinning and branding. In just the past few months this feature is exploding. Expect it to continue.

• Online/offline synchronization for mobile learning with tablets – The number one request I receive from my consumer clients is whether they system has a m-learning app that works with tablets and online/offline synchronization. Considering that my consumer clients range from small companies to those over 125,000 users, I’d say that is relevant. I’m also hearing it from folks in general.

While many vendors pitch mobile learning they seem to be stuck on the idea that people are not interested in online/offline synchronization. A couple of vendors told me they think it will be a fad. Apparently they are not reading what is taking place in the consumer market – worldwide.

Yes many forecasters are saying that 4G will be a huge factor in tablet use, but anyone who has purchased a tablet knows that data plans are not cheap and that multimedia being streamed or viewed eats up data, which in turn increases your bill.

Wi-Fi still dominates the market and people who use tablets tend to use “apps” that are self-contained. While everyone concedes (at least those who follow apps and tech) that the future will be HTML5 apps over native apps, they will still be self-contained.

Benefit: People are demanding it. Every month you waste debating if your system should include, someone else – i.e. your competitors are using it. From the LMS standpoint, this will be a hot ticket item in 2013. If you choose to sit it out for a bit, you will make a monster mistake.

• Dashboards for learners and administrators – One of the key reasons Absorb is so successful (IMO) is the power of its administration dashboard. It was one of the first ones to have a graphs and a quick overview.

Why do dashboards matter? Well let me put it to you this way – when you have to go to your boss (who could be the COO, CEO or another high level senior exec) and want to provide an overview on where things stand – what do you give them? Lots of reports or a quick dashboard will key data points and a couple of graphs? My guess is the latter.

Administrators often have another role within a company/organization, etc., and as a result time is crucial. People like right to the point data and information, and there is nothing worse then having to go find it then generate a report that contains an overview on where things stand.

The same can be said for learners. They like a dashboard which could include recommended courses, status of courses using graphical images, immediate information that is relevant to them.

Benefit: Places relevant information in front the learner’s eyes the moment they enter the system. Too many systems seem to focus on the administrator angle and not the learner angle. Why can’t you do both?

While this is moving upward, the biggest swing is in an overhaul of user interface. As I have noted in the past, I know of many vendors who are working behind the scenes to change their UI. Folks like crisp and clean.

Video Learning Platforms

The next wave to hit the e-learning scene and in less than six months has become bigger than social learning platforms in the last four years. Heck I would even say mobile learning specific platforms as well. Key players are

• Vidizmo
• Panopto – #2 favorite
• In2itive
• OpenLearn – also has a LMS which you can tie it into
• Sharestream
• Kaltura
• Mediacore
• Academize – for education space
• Vizigy – #1 Personal fav

Pricing

You would think that with the economic downturn, albeit it is starting to grow, e-learning vendors as a whole including LMSs would get it.

Sadly that is not happening. Yeah there are a few who can deliver strong feature sets with a new price point but there are others who still believe that charging outrageous pricing on optional components, let alone their system themselves is the way to go.

One vendor charges 10K for SSO and 5K per each additional language. Are you kidding me? Outrageous.

Another vendor who is trying to penetrate the corporate space makes some of the Big Dog vendors look like a bargain.

Let’s not forget the uber cost of some setup fees. No offense but why does someone have to drop over 15K for a SaaS system? And with data migration fees I’ve seen some realistic pricing but some vendors have no problem charging over 5K for records.

A couple of vendors quoted me plus 10K for less than 500 records. No offense here, but if the end user can download their own data file (which they can) and upload it into their new system (which they can), why would they want to pay over 5K to do so?

Vendors love to pitch time and effort but give me a break.

What time? I don’t care if it is 100,000 records or 250 records, it doesn’t take that long to pull the data file and shove it into the new system, unless the person who is doing it is Thomas Jefferson back from the dead.

The only amount of time is the time to populate the new system – less records less time, more records more time – oh automatically mind you.

Oh and as aforementioned in last week’s post, some authoring tool vendors think that everyone can drop over $1,400, heck over $2,500 for an authoring tool (for 1 license). Some web conferencing vendors (and you know who you are) believe it is still 2006 with their pricing.

Multiple Editions of the same system

Compared to the Exorcist, Sinister, The Shining and for folks that grew up in the 50′s (Psycho – or so I have been told), this angle is right up there in terms of shock and fright.

Most of the time it is the exact same system with a fewer bells or whistles or a couple of add-ons to give it the feel of “different version”.

The real downside to this is that many vendors fail to realize that they are competing with themselves when they offer say a corporate edition, e-commerce edition and alike. Heck I’ve seen vendors who offer a K-12 and Higher Ed editions that were virtually identical.

Bottom Line

I really believe that some e-learning vendors would prefer to have their clients become zombies, accepting the product as it is – and as it was – with just a couple of tasty treats to make them come back for more.

Yet other vendors are sensing what is coming and making the changes now, rather than later.

They are busting up the Svengali spin with a commitments to break away that has not been seen in years.

The trends I’m seeing are backing up the break up.

But just in case the lemmings reappear as Zombies, I’ll have my Zombie Apocalypse preparedness plan to review.

And I will be watching out. Looking around and keeping an eye on it.

It being the e-learning industry.

E-Learning 24/7

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Its nearly Halloween and with that comes the shocking and fearful excitement or lack thereof of the scariest things on the plane appearing at the movie theaters, in costumes, television and for us, the course authoring tool market.

Fear #1 – Evil Clown Pricing

Just in the past two years the per license cost of authoring tools has skyrocketed. Long has tools such as Studio and Captivate been on the higher side, the same can be said for vendors such as Rapid Intake and dominKnow.

So why the fear? Because other vendors are getting into the act as well. I must have missed something because I could have sworn that we are in a slow growing economy and previously a global recession.

With budgets at an all time low – granted some are going back up – the pricing seems to be out of alignment.

Compare the authoring tool market with the LMS space and you can clearly see the difference. There are more vendors in the LMS space under 10K then in the past – thus meeting the markets’ needs yet the authoring tool space is seeing a spike in prices.

Yes there are still enough lower priced per license authoring tools but when you view the landscape as a whole, the shock screams loud and clear.

• Articulate Storyline – $1,398 per license (they seem to be into the “everything must go” marketing angle where a “until the end of the month” is becoming a staple. Of course the “we have to sell everything” is often a ruse, so is this pitch.
• Articulate Studio – also offering a special deal at $1,398 but you also get Studio 13 for free – limited deal. They do mention in the past the price was over $1,800 but for some reason I had bought it in the past for lower. Regardless, if you are not upgrading its not cheap.
• Rapid Intake – Talk about price increase. They were never inexpensive but come on – $2,299 for their rapid e-learning authoring suite – includes mobile (prices do drop if you purchase multiple but still 10-25 licenses runs at $1,954).
• dominKnow – $997 for the LTE/STD/Pro (for less than five licenses) (at 5-10, the cost is $2,497 – but you do get a lot of more features and capabilities.  Compared to the other big players – dominKnow Claro is a steal. (Please note: the pricing is per year, per license)
• Captivate 6 – $899 (per license), you want the full e-learning suite? $1,799 – per license.
• Lectora X.6 inc. support $1,790 (per license), no support ($1,595)
• SH!FT by Aura Interactive – $3,500 (1 license)
• PowerTrainer Professional – $3,295 (1 license)
• EduWiz $1,299
• SoftChalk 7 $1,200 (desktop), $795 (cloud) – per license mind you, again at $795 a bargain!
• NexLearn (Simulation tool) – their uber robust sim version will cost you nearly 13K for one license, their base version  (Simplicity) $999
• Platte Canyon – Toolbook 11 (full version) $2,795 per license

All prices are U.S.D. (United States dollars)

I’d rather get smashed in the face with a small pumpkin then pay over $1,000 for an authoring tool. Let alone $999.

What is an equal frightening event is when authoring tool vendors do not even list their pricing on their page. It is as though they are the AREA 51 of the authoring space, so every thing is hush-hush.

Fear of the Mobile Bogeyman aka HTML5

Hmm.. one vendor debuts PowerPoint, the entire market adds PowerPoint. One vendor adds avatars, the whole market runs to add avatars. One vendor adds image libraries, the market starts adding image libraries. One vendor debuts with collaborative peer review, the market starts to add peer review.

What do all these have in common? Speed. Its like offering a la carte cable and then everyone else does it. But when you offer fiber optics, silence.

Yet when it comes to m-learning and HTML5 output, it is as though you are eating stale candy from 1997 shoved into your bag by an unsuspecting neighbor.

The spin around this of course is to say “we have mobile learning” but it is accessing via the mobile web browser. Not an app mind you. And in regards specifically to the output of HTML5, the numbers offering it are slim.

What’s the Hold up?

Fear and Tin Can

Fear for the HTML5 output – many vendors still believe that tablets and they mention the iPad is not going to be strong and I’ve even heard some tell me it is just a fad.  On the latter it isn’t a fad. On the former, every tablet in the market accepts HTML5. Since there are over a few hundred tablets out there with more coming, I’d say that HTML5 is huge.

Granted the others accept Flash, but when the folks who make Flash say they are moving over to HTML5, you don’t need a witch doctor to tell you to watch out for that Zombie next to you.

Halloween Fun Fact

Peanut butter candies wrapped in orange/black paper, popcorn balls, fruits and coins are tell-tell signs that you will be toilet papered later that evening.

Now back to the post.

HTML5 Part 2 – better than the sequel to many horror films

HTML5 is not going anywhere. Over the past month, the number of people who have told me they are seeking an authoring tool that outputs to HTML5 has been enormous.  No one says to me, “oh can it output to flash?”. 

They say, we want an authoring tool that supports mobile and outputs to HTML5 (and the mobile they are referring to are tablets).

A Haunting in SaaS

Referring back to the other e-learning solutions inc. LMSs, authoring tools are still way behind moving to SaaS. Again, why this is not going quicker is beyond me, when you realize that over 90% of the LMS market offers SaaS and roughly 60% are SaaS only.

Today’s workplace works remote and travels more than in the past.

Before you shout out that the people who build the courses are at the workplace (physically) think again. I know of several huge companies – both in employees and in brand name – whose instructional designers are remote (many in other states).

When you factor in the number of freelancers, contractors who are out there, there is real demand for SaaS.

But I’ve seen this before – it was called CBT (Computer based training with a CD-ROM). Even though WBT was out in full force by 2000, there were still plenty of vendors offering tools to build CBT. Heck, even in the mid 2000′s you could find folks.

Better yet – there are plenty of authoring tools today who offer outputs for CD-ROM and DVD, which is saying CBT (granted with DVD).  Why would someone want to take a rapid authoring tool course on a CD player?

Oh and were you aware that some laptops and desktops no longer have a CD-ROM player, rather they have only DVD?  What’s next? Bringing back Commodore 64 output?

Not being afraid

Only a couple of authoring tool vendors enable output to a Sony PSP (portable gaming device) and I have seen a couple who can output to PlayStation 3. Thus it is only a matter of time before you will see folks who can output to the X-Box 360.

Halloween Fun Fact #2

In Los Angeles, when you turn off your lights at your house, people still come to the front door and ring it.

Authoring Tool Treat

Yes, I have checked my calendar and I am well aware that the end of the year is not October 31st, but that doesn’t mean I can’t announce my authoring tools of 2012.

(eerie laugh)

Number 1 – Best Authoring Tool of 2012

dominKnow Claro - This is the best authoring tool on the market today.

With an extensive amount of features including HTML5 output, collaborative peer review, avatars, templates, image libraries, notes and the ability to work on the same course in real time (the authors just have to be on different pages) it stands out among the crowd.

SaaS, reusable learning objects, simulations, HTML widgets, assessment tool, on device review (great for mobile devices including the iPad), screen recording and capturing, web cam recording and desktop meeting and scheduling makes this product shine.

#2 Articulate Storyline - Fantastic product. With lots of great features. You can read my review of the product here.  Why not #1?

Well features aside – Claro just destroys it, the lack of SaaS is huge. Sure you can re-synch it with Articulate Online, but that is not the same. Another knock is that the product is geared more to e-learning developers (nothing wrong with that) rather than both – beginners/not heavy tech folks and e-learning developers, which Claro offers.

#3. Rapid Intake - This has always been one of my favorite products but it seems to be more focused on pricing then on the next tier of features. Once they were extremely cutting edge – first to output to HTML5, first to have collaborative peer review, first to have on/off synch for an authoring tool. Now, I’m not sure where they are going.

Rather then offering avatars whose mouths matched your voice (which another vendor Sh!FT offers), they seem to be in cloud mode (no pun intended).

Newcomer of the Year

Right now it is Storyline, but I won’t make it official until after I attend DevLearn and see some of the new shiny tools. 

Bottom Line

Fears are often unwarranted but it doesn’t mean they are not real.

And in the course authoring tool market, it is far too real to even stomach.

E-Learning 24/7

Moodle can be a worthwhile system but it requires heavy customization, dedicated IT person who has Moodle skill sets (ideal), in-house support (because when end users can’t figure it out – they will come calling YOU) and costs that many folks fail to realize.

In a nutshell, Moodle is not an out of the box system. It is not a turnkey solution and frankly it is just not that good.

Education Rocks!

There are numerous factors that have to be assigned when looking at a system for the education market. Factors that include:

• System specifically built for the education market – some systems are universal – i.e. education & corporate; others are not
• Easy to use & user friendly- this is crucial, because educators (teachers) are not always the most tech savvy folks out there – sure there are plenty of exceptions, but honestly do you think the person teaching Biology is going to be a Tech G-D? At the high schools I taught out – they definitely were not.
• Student, Teacher and Parent portals – It goes without saying on the student and teacher portals. Parents are a mixed bag.

Some systems stress this as super important, but teachers in general find overly active parents as irritating, especially when they blame the teacher and not their wonderful child. As such, do folks really want parents to have their own portal?

• Customized front ends – Education systems should have fun interfaces. Engaging interfaces, not sterile – blah interfaces. Attention spans for adults are around 45 minutes, what do you think it is for a K-12 student?
• Feature sets – extensive and robust
• Integrate with SIS (Student information system) or alike
• Classroom management – attendance tracking is a plus
• Combination of synchronous and asynchronous features. Most systems in the education space are still strongly focused on synchronous based learning. Thankfully there are systems that are starting to offer asynchronous as well (referring to systems that are not universal, rather education market only).
• Testing/assessment – online proctoring is a bonus
• Built in authoring tool – never hurts. The teachers I know, do not have several hundred or even a thousand dollars around to purchase a 3rd party authoring tool. Nor is it likely that their departmental budget will have the dollars as well. After all, there are more important things to buy than a 3rd party authoring tool (from the teachers’ perspective).
• SaaS – I would prefer a vendor who offers SaaS only and not a SaaS or client hosted or G-D forbid client hosted only option

Grades

Systems that earn an “A”

Epsilen

I’ll be frank- this system is a feature thrill ride that you never want to end. Name me another system that includes the New York Times archieve with over 160 years of articles, continuum based assessments in the areas of writing, creativity, problem solving, global competency and analyzing.

Other cool components that are part of this system include Community Content Commons a repository of learning objects, resources – created, vetted and assessed by the Epsilen community. The system also has a course authoring tool, assessment tool (test wizard), eportfolios, gradebook and more.

They do offer a higher education version, but this is all about K-12. In my opinion they are trend setters, which is why they deserve an “A”. Oh, UI is average.

Frog Trade

This has always been a personal fav of mine, and its primary version K-6 is fantastic.

Features aside, I love the user interface which can change depending on the grade and school preferences.

Its user interface reminds me a little of the Mac interface because at the bottom of the screen a set of widgets are listed as icons.

Example of Primary:

Active directory, assessment tool, social learning features and SCORM are all bonuses.

Instructure Canvas

The K-12 version is a real screamer, and I say it in a good way. The UI is solid but very easy to use and while I’m not a fan of parent auto enroll at the same time of the student feature, it is chock full of useful components for teachers in general.

My personal favorite is the ability for the teacher to leave audio and video feedback to the students. Built in video chat and notifications that can be sent not only by SMS but also through Facebook just add real value. The product supports mobile, which is another plus.

Wizlearn – AsknLearn LMS

Never heard of them? You should, because this system’s user interface is crisp, clean and frankly a breeze to use. I love the graphical charts and the analytics are solid. The system is SCORM 2004 & 1.2 compliant which is sweet.

Other features include file repository, resource management, assessment tool, surveys, forums, school logon summary, blog and ePortfolio. One of the most bizarre features is the temperature taking. Not sure what the value is for that, but hey, whatever.

UniServity – Life

I’d love to tell you that this is just like every other system in the space, but I would be lying. Its a hybrid of a learning platform, learning exchange and social collaboration. It supports tablets and smartphones.

Uber features include

• Widgets
• SCORM and Common Cartridge
• Avatars
• Facebook and Twitter integration
• Learning activities
• Blogs, chat, favorites, wikis, forum
• Personal, shared and school site
• Administration features
• Sound recorder and screen capture
• Assessment tool
• Instant messaging
• Branding/Skinning
• Slideshow
• Apps
• Polls
• APIs
• Life community consisting of over 3 million teachers and learners. Communicate, share and discuss.
• Learning exchange provides teachers will access to share over 25 million resources, projects, learning spaces, partnerships and tools

Basically this system rocks.

B+ you say?

Desire2Learn

If you love comfort food than you will love Desire2Learn, which reminds me of being comfortable – and not in a bad way. UI is good but not necessarily a WOW factor.

Features include:

• Social: Ability to add social profiles from Linkedin, Google+, Facebook, Twitter – what is strange is Linkedin, which is geared and used by professionals and not students.
• Event calendar, ePortfolios
• Course authoring tool – that is built in mind for education. It is not your typical LMS build your courses tool.
• File lockers – think file folders for each learner or shared by groups
• Dropbox – Winner!!
• Capture Cast – basically a built-in audio/video platform for recording presentations live and which end users can see live – in real time or on-demand (as they call it)

Blackboard gets a “B”

Blackboard Learn

For a vendor who has been around for more than 14 years you would think they finally get the whole value of asynchronous based learning. Sadly, they haven’t. The system is still geared towards education, although they are targeting corporate as well.

Although this post is all about pure education systems, leaving Blackboard out would be considered sacrilegious to some folks.

The system is still about synchronous based learning, which is fine, but it is nothing more than sticking ILT online. Yeah it supports mobile and yeah it includes a nice feature set, and yeah its UI is strong, but while they were cool in the late 90′s and early 2000′s they seem to have lost their way.

Bottom Line

There are plenty of teachers you will never hear about, who provide outstanding learning, deeply care about their students and make a difference very day.

The same can be said about learning management systems in this space.

These systems offer features that are logical and value driven in the K-12 market. They provide a learning experience that is outstanding and which makes a difference every day for their learners, educators and schools.

Here’s to all the teachers out there and the systems that meet their needs.

It’s still not perfect, but then again, nothing is.

E-Learning 24/7

Note: Vklass and edu 2.0 were not included in this list, since they were previously presented in previous posts.

Note: Due to myself presenting as one of the keynote speakers at LearnX Asia Pacific in Melbourne, Australia, there will be not be a blog post for next week. This is due to traveling.

On the 29th and 30th (the days of the conference), live tweets and updates via my Linkedin group: E-Learning 24/7 will be provided. The week afterwards, my assessment of the conference along with products that were just “WoW”.