LMS requirements: What is important when choosing

Learning models & content: The LMS must cover these training courses

A learning management system is only as good as its content. Modern training requires interactive, versatile and easily accessible formats that enable both compulsory training and individual learning. But what content do you need to consider - and where does it come from?

Which learning models should an LMS support?

An effective LMS maps different learning approaches so that companies can design their training scenarios flexibly:

• Blended LearningCombination of e-learning and face-to-face events for maximum flexibility
• Web-based training (WBT): self-directed online courses for learning independent of time and place
• Live webinars & face-to-face events: direct exchange with trainers and interactive workshops
• Mandatory trainings & certifications: automated reminders and refresher trainings for compliance & safety
• On-demand learning: learning paths that employees can complete independently - available at any time

What media types should the LMS support?

An LMS must be able to manage different file formats and media types in order to design learning content dynamically:

Multimedia content:

• Videos, audio files, PDFs and interactive documents
• Images and infographics for visual support
• SCORM- or xAPI-based e-learning for tracking and progress monitoring

Interactive elements:

• Quizzes & knowledge tests for self-monitoring
• Gamification elements to increase motivation
• Interfaces for external learning content and courses

What content should be covered?

Not every company has the same learning needs - but every LMS should take certain requirements into account:

• Soft skills & leadership development: communication, time management, leadership
• Professional development: technical training, IT skills, product training
• Onboarding & corporate knowledge: Introduction of new employees, internal processes
• Compliance & mandatory training: data privacy, occupational safety, anti-corruption

Make or buy? Create your own content or use external training courses?

Companies can develop their own content or use external offerings - the right mix ensures that the LMS fits smoothly into everyday working life:

Own production (Make)

• Full control over content & adaptation to company guidelines
• Use of internal expertise and subject-specific content
• Combination with company-specific examples & processes

Buy finished content (Buy)

• Quickly ready for use for general topics (e.g. data privacy, occupational safety)
• Access to up-to-date and professional training materials
• No resources required for content creation

Analyses & reports: Making success measurable

Learning without monitoring and evaluation brings little added value to companies. A Learning Management System LMS) should not only provide training courses, but also make it transparent how effective they are. Companies need to know who is taking which courses, where Learners need support and whether legal requirements are being met.

Which key figures are relevant for companies?

Successful training requires measurable results. An LMS should therefore record the following metrics:

• Number of participants: Who started or completed which training course?
• Learning progress: Where do learners stand in their courses?
• Completion rates: How many people have successfully completed a training course?
• Knowledge checks: How well was content understood (for example, through quiz results)?
• Time required & interaction data: How long do Learners need for certain modules?
• Feedback & evaluations: What is the participants' opinion of the training courses?

A powerful learning management system offers automated reports and dashboards that clearly present the aforementioned data and make it analyzable. An LMS helps to keep an eye on central requirements such as reporting functions, certificate management and verification obligations.

Legally compliant documentation: mandatory training & certificates

In many companies, there are legally required training courses that are completed regularly. This includes topics such as data protection and information security, occupational safety and compliance. With an LMS , you can document these training courses in a verifiable manner.

Functions for legally compliant documentation:

• Automatic recording of training attendance and test results
• Generation of certificates after successful completion
• Repeat training with automatic reminders
• Verification management for audits and inspections

Using data: How an LMS can optimize personnel development

In addition to the mandatory documentation, an LMS provides valuable insights for the further development of employees. Companies can use the analyses to take targeted measures:

• Adapt individual learning paths: If an analysis shows that many Learners fail at a certain point, you can optimize the course content.
• Targeted training for teams: If entire departments have unsatisfactory test results, supplementary classroom training can be useful.
• Plan training budgets more efficiently Plan more efficiently: data shows which training courses are actually used and where investments make sense.

User-friendliness & mobile use: Creating a seamless learning experience

A user-friendly LMS ensures that Learners, administrators and trainers quickly find their way around and enjoy using the platform. At the same time, the training courses should also be available on mobile devices so that learning is possible anytime and anywhere.

User-friendliness: Intuitive navigation and simple operation

An intuitive Learning Management System should be geared towards users ' usage habits. This is important:

• Simple navigation: clear structures, short click paths and a tidy user interface
• Quick access to relevant content: personalized dashboards that only display the courses relevant to the respective users
• Interactive learning formats: Gamification elements, quizzes and knowledge tests for a motivating learning experience
• Automatic reminders: Information on upcoming mandatory training courses or course modules that are still open
• Individual customization options: Coloring, logos and designs in corporate style (white labeling)
• Multilingualism: retrieve content in preferred language; particularly advantageous for internationally active companies

Device independence: enable learning anytime and anywhere

Modern LMS need to be mobile so that employees can learn regardless of time and place.

• Responsive design: automatic adaptation of content to different screen sizes (desktop, tablet, smartphone)
• Blended learning: combination of online and classroom training for flexible and effective learning

Social learning & interaction: more than just a training platform

In addition to traditional learning modules, it is becoming increasingly important that an LMS also supports the exchange between learners and trainers. Many systems therefore rely on functions that go beyond the mere provision of content:

• Forums & group functions: Exchange between users and possibility to ask questions
• Live chats & feedback functions: Direct interaction with trainers or moderators
• Learning communities: networking within the company to develop knowledge together

Integrations & interfaces: Seamlessly integrate an LMS into existing systems

An LMS rarely stands alone, but is part of a comprehensive IT and training strategy. For learning processes to run smoothly, the LMS must be linkable with other systems. The better an LMS is integrated, the more efficiently data can be exchanged and processes automated. These are the most important interfaces:

• HR systems
  
  • Automatic synchronization of users, roles and training obligations
  • Linking with employee profiles for personalized learning opportunities
• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools
  
  • Detailed evaluation of training data and learning successes
  • Visualization of data for strategic decisions
• Content management systems (CMS)
  
  • Connection to the company's own knowledge databases or external e-learning providers
  • Use of SCORM or xAPI standards for seamless integration of external courses
• Single sign-on solutions (SSO)
  
  • Enables secure and simple login with existing company accounts
  • Reduces the administrative effort
  • increases user-friendliness

Scalability & costs: An LMS for today and tomorrow

An LMS should not only meet the current requirements of your company, but also be able to grow with it. Whether increasing user numbers, new training requirements or additional integrations - an LMS must be flexibly scalable in order to remain useful in the long term. At the same time, the cost structure plays a decisive role: companies must carefully examine which pricing model suits their needs.

Why scalability is crucial

Companies continue to evolve and so do their requirements for an LMS. A solution that seems ideal today can quickly reach its limits:

• Increasing number of users: New employees, external partners or larger teams are added.
• New training topics: In addition to traditional e-learning, webinars or interactive training courses, for example, need to be mapped.
• More interfaces required: Integration with other tools such as Learning Experience Platforms (LXP), HR systems or content libraries is required.
• Regulatory requirements are changing: Legal requirements may require new verification obligations for training.

A scalable LMS makes it possible to cover these developments without complex conversions or high additional costs.

LMS at a glance

A comprehensive LMS shows that costs can vary greatly depending on the provider, license model and range of functions. While user-based models are suitable for organizations with a stable number of learners, flat-rate models offer unlimited access to content and functions. 

Alternatively, pay-per-use models enable flexible billing based on actual usage, which is particularly interesting for companies with fluctuating training requirements. Course-based billing models are also an option if only certain learning content is required.

The solution that best suits your company depends on your specific requirements and training needs. In our article "What does an LMS cost?" you can find out more about the different cost models. 

LMS and content from a single source: The Haufe Akademie as a holistic partner

Choosing an LMS is only the first step. The decisive factor is how you integrate the system into existing processes and actively use it. Without a clear strategy, technical support and user-friendly training, companies often fail to exploit the full potential of an LMS .

The Haufe Akademie not only offers the necessary advice and integration, but also provides the appropriate platform with its LMS . In addition, there is the Content Collection offers a wide range of high-quality e-learning and training programs. Compared to other LMS, the Haufe Akademie offers both practical content and comprehensive support from a single source.

The Haufe Akademie accompanies and supports your company in all phases of LMS:

• Individual advice: The right configuration of the LMS makes it easier to get started.
• Technical expertise: Smooth implementation ensures that the LMS is seamlessly integrated into existing systems.
• Learning platform & content: The combination of a modern LMS and practical training courses creates optimal learning conditions.
• Support & continuous supervision: Long-term support helps to exploit the full potential of the LMS and to make training sustainable.

With this combination of technology, consulting and high-quality content, Haufe Akademie ensures that you implement your digital training courses efficiently, sustainably and successfully.

Conclusion: The right LMS as the key to efficient learning

A powerful system meets all the central requirements of an LMS by managing training courses in a structured way, optimizing learning processes and imparting knowledge in a targeted manner. The decisive factor is not only implementation, but also active use with clear processes and a user-friendly design. Haufe Akademie offers a customized solution that combines efficient technology and optimal content. The learning platform adapts flexibly to company needs, can be integrated seamlessly and grows with requirements. In addition, the Content Collection provides practical training courses on artificial intelligence, leadership development and digitalization for sustainable training and long-term success.