Conclusion – LMS or Web base API?

This post is the last in this series. If you missed the rest please see the links at the bottom of this page. After breaking down the pros and cons of using a web-base self-service approach over an LMS for training, it’s time to draw a conclusion.

Typical use cases for an API based data collection system can be divided into two separate streams:

First, it is very common to encounter organizations with clear training or planning needs that they cannot meet because they either lack a learning management system (LMS) entirely or cannot reliably schedule its use within the organization.

Second, in any fast-paced industry, it is typical to have client-facing training materials that form part of the client interaction. To ensure client success, customers often need to understand a product, process, or regulation, which requires them to complete some form of training. Enforced training is notoriously unpopular. The ability to offer self-serve, on-demand training that captures the required learner data directly from the website is therefore very appealing.

This approach is not an off-the-wall, untested idea. It is something we have implemented successfully for several large organizations to deliver on-demand training to hundreds of thousands of users. It is also substantially more cost-effective than deploying a full LMS and requires far less time and effort to set up and maintain.

Of course, some highly regulated industries cannot use this kind of approach and need the added security and compliance features of an enterprise-grade LMS. However, for most organizations, outward-facing training typically involves content that is neither proprietary nor heavily regulated.

At the end of the day, it comes down to whether you need easy-access, on-demand, web-based training or an enterprise-level LMS with all of its advanced features.

The ideal organization for this form of training delivery is one with a limited budget, limited access to an LMS, and limited resources. Despite these constraints, they still need to collect data about the learner’s experience, assessments, and completion details.

If that sounds like you, then this might be the right solution. The combination of ease of use for the learner and the rich data available to the provider makes for a compelling package, especially when you consider the cost savings.

If you decide to try it, let us know. We would be happy to help or just hear about your experience.

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