Give input on our LMS review list

We’re in the early stages of our review process for Learning Management Systems (LMS) … so here’s your chance to give input on which solutions are reviewed. We’ve got a long list of ~70 solutions identified (see our LMS Directory)  but from a practical perspective we can only review 10-15 of these in detail. Our expert reviewer has her view, but we’d like to get your input before making a final decision on the review list.

Defining what LMS means

Our Definition of Learning Management System

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content. This software is primarily focused on the administration aspects of training such as user registration, learning resource scheduling, and learner performance analyzing and reporting. Learning Management Systems also typically house the learning content such as videos, presentations, worksheets, instructions, scenarios, and other activities. Learning Management Systems can be used to facilitate technology-based training, instructor-led training, or any hybrid or combination thereof.

What is not in our definition of Learning Management Systems?

Learning management is not an enterprise knowledge system, help documentation authoring tool, or video screen capture tool; although it can usually be integrated with and supported by other such tools. Typically, course developers develop learning materials and content outside of the learning management system with separate tools and then upload materials into the LMS for management, administration, and access by stakeholders.

Choosing the List of LMS Solutions to Review

Our expert reviewer Stephanie has conducted her own initial screen and identified 19 that she believes are worth progressing to the full review stage. So we’d like to get your input to help us make the final selection. Below is the medium list of 19 LMS solutions: if you believe strongly that any particular ones should be included in the final review list, now’s your chance to say so. Also, if there are any that should be on this list (in your opinion) and aren’t there … speak up now!

Full List of LMS

See our Learning Management Software Directory for the full list of solutions that have been considered for review. If others should be added, let us know.

Draft List

The draft list of LMS solutions being considered for full review is as follows:

Have Your Say

Please note that the final decision on which solutions are reviewed will be made by Stephanie. This is not a popularity contest as such, but rather a chance for some community input to guide her decision-making. Well reasoned comments are more likely to influence than simple assertions that “X is best”.  Quality remarks will outweigh  quantity.

Add a comment below if you have a view on which LMS should be included in the reviews.

How to cope if your boss wants you to recommend software

Have you been given the task of finding, evaluating and recommending software for the small business where you work ?

It’s a great opportunity ahead of you but it also presents some risks and pitfalls that need watching.  The search process itself can also be a big hidden cost. Here are a few things you should be aware of before you jump into the process…

Deciding on software for small business

1. Owners or partners of a small business often delegate the software selection process to employees they see as more technically-savvy or more organised than most. Your job is to present a shortlist of recommended options, to help them make the final decision. Think of the task as a vote of confidence in you.
2. Employees made responsible for software selection often feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. There are so many products available, and you may not have been through a process like this before. That’s normal.
3. A sense of personal risk is often involved – this is a chance to prove yourself but conversely you don’t want to make a recommendation that backfires on you. You don’t want to be “that guy” who suggested buying the software everyone hates.
4. Research shows that owners of a business choose software differently than managers. [ref 1] For instance, managers often think the price and popularity of a package are critical … but business owners rate those amongst the least important! Research suggests owners tend to be more strategic, considering more factors and weighing them differently than managers do when evaluating software.

What does this mean for you?

Firstly, it means you should take the task seriously because the owners of the business certainly will.

You should also look for ways to educate yourself about good software selection practices and involve outside experts or information sources if possible. Adhering to a solid process gives the owner confidence, and can help you manage the many stakeholders involved.

You should also discuss what the important factors are with your boss and other stakeholders, and ensure that you are transparent in how you arrived at your recommendations. This focuses the discussion on the evaluation process (not just the end outcome) and not only does it help you choose software more intelligently, it also protects you from any perceived personal risk.

How Software Shortlist can help

Software Shortlist provides a “shortlist + compare” tool that can help you recommend software for your business. It steps you through a more robust software evaluation process than small businesses typically use, but it is still simple and easy to use for non-IT experts.

Software Shortlist also gives you the flexibility to adjust the weighting of different factors (e.g. price, ease of use, scalability). So if your boss turns out to have a different view on priorities you can easily adjust your shortlist accordingly. Plus, we’ve screened out products that aren’t up to scratch and have conducted independent reviews on each software product included in the comparison service. User reviews are available too to give you an additional, external perspective.

Go find that software

I hope this post helps you understand a bit more about the challenge and opportunity ahead of you in choosing software for your small business.

Why not let us know how it goes, and share your thoughts or experiences below so others can benefit too?

[ref 1]: P.Y.K Chau “Factors use in the selection of packaged software in small businesses: Views of owners and managers,”Information & Management 29 (1995) 71-78

Strong uptake in software VAR (value added reseller) listings

Over the past few months Software Shortlist has experienced an increase in listings from IT consulting companies and service providers, in our IT Service Provider Directory. IT consultants often resell software on behalf of vendors, so they form a global Value Added Reseller (VAR) community around specific software products.

This increase in uptake has come about through a strong need for service providers to raise awareness of their specialist expertise and to generate qualified leads. Currently there are very few options available to assist SME customers in finding the most competent IT service providers for thier specific needs. And, conversely, there are very few options available to IT service providers who would like to make easy direct contact with interested SME customers.

In response to this demand, Software Shortlist has now signed up service providers across a number of competences. This includes CRM software, ERP software, Accounting packages, BI software and the like. Software products are now listed on our website from across all of these areas.  This list was included in one of our recent News Postings.

If you know of any IT consulting organisation that may be interested in profiling themselves, to generate much needed contacts and leads, please let them know about our Service Provider Listing options.

Don’t make them wait until their competitors have already gained the upper hand!