FindAnLMS – The New Learning System Search Platform from Craig Weiss

September 6th, 2018.  Write it down. Mark it down.  September 6th, 2018.

On that day in the morning – out here in LA, FindAnlms.com  launches.  A new type of search, find, assess, engage platform where buyers and all types of learning system providers can connect.

Because it is more than the usual search directory for learning systems, I thought it would make sense to go in more depth on the platform, how it will work, who is in it (as of August 23rd), how to register (hold off until Sept. 6th, because we will be cleaning out the cache, prior to go-live), and everything else in between.

About FindAnLMS

Well over a year ago, I started to think of a way, where I could share my insight on learning systems in such a way, that as a buyer, you would be provided with the tools and information, that you would find beneficial in identifying and selecting the right learning system for you.

Equally, I wanted a solution, where all vendors in the learning system space would be able to connect with their audience (you) in such a way, that it offers a unique experience and more importantly, direct engagement with someone interested in the product (system).

I knew that I didn’t want to follow the path of others, rather, I wanted to try a different angle, user-driven, user-friendly and user engagement in a NexGen way. 

Out of it, has come FindAnLMS. 

What is FindAnLMS?

Simply it is a way to search, assess and compare learning systems in a platform that mimics, well, a learning system, specifically LMS. 

How do I start?

When you go to findanlms.com  (please hold until Sept. 6th), you will see this screen

You can either register immediately “Sign Up” or go thru some steps to begin your search.  To view the results, you will need to register.  

Once you register (its free) – you will receive a follow-up e-mail, asking you to verify. Once you do, you can now log into FindAnLMS and begin.   If you do not see the e-mail, check your junk/spam folder. 

After logging into the system, you will see your home dashboard along with some options on the left hand. We have designed FindAnLMS to look like an LMS.

Instead of a learner view, you have a consumer view (you after you register and verify).  In that view, you have a “dashboard” where you can create searches and save your results.

“LMS Catalog” where you can use an extensive set of filters, pricing scale, implementation timeline to filter the entrants down or go thru the entire catalog of learning systems.

You have a “Calendar” view, this is where you can see when your demos are scheduled, based on your time zone.  The calendar is viewed by month, date and agenda. 

And you have “Settings” where you can update your profile and add your avatar.

The Filters

Okay, there are quite a few here.  Everything from functionality including learner environment (with specific options you can select), administration (again with specific options),  deep learning (the next evolution of the term machine learning), content curation, compliance, certification, just to name a few.

You can also select course standards (inc. xAPI), Audience Type (B2B, B2C, Employees, Customers, Employees and Customers), Implementation time frame, Number of end users, Deployment type, Price range (it is a scale), Industry – as in your vertical or verticals and Ranking. 

You can select as many features, audience types,  vertical(s), course standards, as you want, to continue to narrow down.

Vendors that align directly with those filters will show up in your results.  

Ranking is based on my Top 50 Learning Systems for 2018.  You can choose “All”, which is everyone in the platform, “50” – showing only those vendors in the Top 50 who are in the platform (not everyone is),  Top 20 – all the vendors in the Top 20, and all of them are in the platform, and Top 1- all the vendors in the Top 10 for 2018, and yes, all of them are in FindAnLMS.

Let’s say you select Top 10 with the filter of deep learning.  Only the vendors in the Top 10 who have deep learning will show up.  If they do not have it, nope, they do not show up in your results – i.e. narrowing of the LMS catalog.

What do you see when you select a vendor in the catalog?

Okay. You are interested in a vendor in the catalog.  Once you click their name, you will see the following

Details

On the left side, is the logo of the vendor. Next, the name of the system, followed by the company name, where their HQ is located, and web site.  On the basic information, you will see the minimum number of end users they will accept going to max. (so if it is 100+ this means, 100,000 and up), Pricing range – per year (and be aware that this does not include setup fees, any additional fees, rather it is an estimate),  setup timeframe – which is the implementation timeframe, so you will know on average how long it takes to go from signed off project plan to go-live, and deployment type (SaaS – i.e. in the cloud OR Self-Hosted – you host behind your firewall.  If the vendor lists both, then they offer both options).

After that

• About the LMS –  Again, it can be an LEP, but for version one, we list as an LMS.  Anyway, it is a bit about the vendor’s system.
• Videos, PDFs, Whitepapers – A vendor can post videos of the product,  case studies, whitepapers, other materials which you can view, and download.   Depending on the vendor option (they can select from two) – you will either see a PDF or Video OR you will see many types of materials.   With videos, you can watch them in full-screen right within FindanLMS, or download to watch offline.

Contact Information

You will see either one of the following

OR

What is the difference?

Vendors in FindanLMS have two options.  They can have our free edition or purchase our Premium edition.   The first box

is the premium edition.  In the premium edition, the consumer (you) can schedule a demo with them right in the system (details in a second on how) and/or Send them your  RFP – again right in the system.   

The vendor will receive your contact information (it is part of your registration), so they may contact you. This information includes your name, email, phone (only for follow-up to booking the demo, asking questions),  company and job position.

Once you contact them within the system, they will receive a notification from FindAnLMS to let them know to go into the platform and see your information, contact you, and so forth.

And as noted earlier, in the prem edition, the vendor can upload as many videos, pdfs, docs as they want.

In the free edition

You are not able to schedule a demo, send them an RFP or have them receive your information for contacting you and so forth. And the vendor can upload only one PDF or Video.

That is the difference between the two editions.  We will be adding additional components throughout the end of the year and going forward, but for launch, those are the differences.

Let’s jump back through to Contact Information for that vendor in the middle of their page

• Name – That is the point of contact as defined by the vendor
• Title – Their official title
• Phone –  Their phone number
• E-mail – Their e-mail address.  When you click the e-mail address, if you have an auto-capability to open up your inbox (some folks do), then it will open up a new email in your inbox (Gmail, Outlook) and you can contact the vendor directly. 

All the items above exist in each learning system profile (regardless if free or not).

Schedule a Demo and Send RFP

The best way to gain how it works, is well, to see it

 

Underneath the Contact Information, as in last part of the screen

First you will see the course standards that the vendor accepts.   Then all the available features – based on our filters.  Please be aware this does not mean, that is all they have, rather, it is based on our filters that exist in FindAnLMS. As we add more filters, more features (if the vendor has it) will appear.   To expand the screen to see them all, you click “show all”.

Who is in FindanLMS?

Anybody who has a learning system, can be in FindAnLMS. We continue to add vendors on a daily basis, so the list presented below is as of August 23rd.   They are in no particular order.  If the vendor is an LEP, though it will be cited as (LEP).

• eLogic Learning, Litmos by SAP, Growth Engineering, Docebo, CrossKnowledge, Unicorn LMS, SumTotal Learn, Cornerstone Learn, Workday Learning, Blackboard
• Degreed (LEP), Learn Amp (LEP), EdCast (LEP), Toolwire (LEP), 360Learning (LEP), Loop (LEP), Lumesse (LEP), Percipio by Skillsoft (LEP), Coorpacademy (LEP),
• GamEffectiv, Schoox, Intellium, UpsideLMS, CD2 Learning, Tessello, Bridge, Instructure Canvas, OnPoint Digital, Cyper Learning – makers of MATRIX and NEO LMS
• LearnUpon, GeoTalent, IMC-AG, Talent LMS, Accord LMS, Thought Industries, Administrate, LMS365, Learnosphere, Torch LMS
• Kallidus, Learning Cart, FeatherCap, Accessplanint, Digits Glo, Learnifer, Agylia, NetDimensions, PeopleFluent, Training Orchestra
• Spoke by Unboxed Technology, Skilljar, eLoomi, eLastic Learning, Area 9, eXactLS,Webanywhere, ShareKnowledge, ShiftIQ
• Eurekos, Gyrus, LearningTribes, Percolate, springtest, Zoomi, BizLibrary, Digitec Interactive, D2L

When we announce our Top 50 for 2019 (Jan. 2019), you will find every one of them in the FindAnLMS platform.  Along with mentions of previous wins (if applicable).

Some other items  

You will find LMS, learning platforms, learning engagement platforms (LEP), sales enablement platforms (SEP), training management operation systems, performance management – requires a learning component to be in the platform and others.  Vendors are located all over the world, so if you are concerned this is only one country focused, fear not, because, well, it isn’t.  Learning systems can be found all over the world, so, let’s bring the world to your doorstep, err, viewing area in one platform.

• We are housed on AWS. To learn more about AWS security, data privacy, etc. please visit AWS.
• FindAnLMS is GDPR compliant
• You will not be spammed by us, i.e Craig Weiss, The Craig Weiss Group, FindAnLMS – nor will you be added to any marketing list.
• Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy are located within FindAnLMS, and you can view them directly prior to entering or using FindAnLMS.  

Bottom Line

I’m sure I forgot this or that, there is so much you can do in FindAnLMS. If you are a vendor and are not yet in FindAnLMS, contact me.

As mentioned, FindAnLMS launches on September 6th. 

Please do not send RFPs or schedule demos with the accounts that appear – they are dummy accounts, ie. not real vendors.  Equally, do not register until Sept. 6th.  If you do so prior to, your info will be wiped, when we do our final cache cleaning (yep, tech term).

We will be adding filters for LEP, Content Aggregation, Corporate, Education, SEP and more on the coming months.   Don’t worry, we will make announcements along the way.  Follow me on Linkedin, to see the latest announcements (I post them in my updates).

I know that once you start to use FindAnLMS, you will see and enjoy all it has to offer.

So, get ready

to

Engage.

E-Learning 24/7 aka Craig Weiss, CEO and Lead Analyst of The Craig Weiss Group