Choosing the right learning management system (LMS) for your higher education institution is no small feat. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or replacing an existing platform, you need to take the time to make sure you’re picking the right solution.
This article explores what a cloud LMS is and the benefits it can offer.
What Is a Cloud LMS?
Cloud-based LMSs are software applications that are hosted on the cloud. They’re made available via software-as-a-service (SaaS) models, with institutions paying subscription or license fees to use them and users accessing them via internet browsers and apps.
Benefits of a Cloud LMS
1. Reliable Support
One benefit of a cloud LMS is the ongoing support the vendor typically offers. Your institution gets continuous upgrades, so you can worry less about whether you have the most current version. Access to customer support also makes it easier to notify your vendor of any issues and solve them quickly.
Additional services—from creating custom content to administering the environment and undertaking data analyses—may be available to help you maximize the platform in the areas that matter most to your institution.
2. Seamless Integrations and Development
Most cloud platforms offer robust and varied configurability options. Institutions can customize interfaces, create common templates and set up specific rules that make their instance unique.
With a cloud provider, your focus is on creating content and perfecting processes—not building new technology. This makes it easier to migrate your environment when you need to make a change.
3. Enhanced Security
With a cloud-based solution, security is the vendor’s responsibility. They likely have a host of measures—secure transmission, single sign-on (SSO), vulnerability management and endpoint threat protection to name a few—built into the platform. They also keep on top of upgrades and maintenance. Plus, if something does go wrong, they handle disaster recovery.
4. Improved User Experience
Modern learners expect more from the technology platforms they’re using, particularly those younger generations who grew up accessing information via mobile devices and using AI-curated content channels. This is why an LMS must do more than simply launch and track eLearning modules and manage reporting. An engaging user experience and user interface, flexible mobile learning, and dynamic personalized learning are all paramount features for an LMS to have.
A cloud LMS can offer a high-quality user experience straight off the shelf. You can configure it to suit the needs of your institution, educators and students, creating branded templates for your content and setting up unique learning paths.
Harnessing the Benefits of a Cloud LMS
Choosing a cloud LMS can provide your institution with a robust, reliable, secure solution. Take your time to understand the options and select a vendor and platform that best suits your needs—both now and into the future.
The Complete LMS Evaluation Guide
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that no rock is left unturned when evaluating which LMS is best for your institution.