LCMS, e-Learning portals: a product evolution
Michel Ledru, Director Research and Development
CEGOS

The term ‘LMS’ (Learning System Management) describes a complete e-Learning platform that is the sum of many parts including a content distribution server, a database to manage the training catalogue, a learning profile management server, access to the training events and the follow-up of the courses with tracking of the results and progress. Lastly, an LMS will include a training schedule management module (training courses listed by tutors and trainees’ availabilities) the scheduling system.

To develop these training products, many LMS systems include content production tools and make a CMS (Content System Management) available to the users.

One finds there simple content integration systems, often developed with Macromedia® software, or complete authoring tools that allow the fullest integration. A recent evolution even makes it possible to speak about Learning Content Management System (LCMS), which doesn’t make it easier for users to understand.

The design of LMS systems around the administration of learning, is the most widespread but it is not the only solution. The question of the competence management can be also placed in the heart of a training system. The registration functionality, follow-up and evaluation pass are part of the second tier behind the "the learning objects" management. These systems enable trainees to follow only that differential of training they need. It is thus seen that LMS have still a big evolution margin, especially in their positioning with ERP (SAP, PeopleSoft, etc.) where overlaps in functionality are common.

If integration is an essential question, it is not the only one. It is often necessary to solve scheduling issues. This area of resource management, in particular when it supposes the use of equipment, rooms, or people, is often not covered by the LMS. Where remote training supplements current traditional training, there can be a whole range of local constraints to take into account, difficult to manage with pencil and paper. Starting a virtual class tool requires a powerful registration instrument from which one expects the same response time as we expect from systems used in air transport or the railways. It should be noted that there often a cancellation or postponement rate of almost 30% in the e-Learning devices for the synchronous part which has implications for the appointment management system. It requires a solid technical solution and good logistics to manage these postponements. The use of scheduling products which are able to take into account multiple constraints are then used in complement of the LMS (example of a product: ADE Enterprise from the company ADESOFTware).

If the LMS constituted a first basic wave in the universe of remote training, the emergence of training portals "to distribute" the courses and software tools for the installation of virtual classes is an evolution of at least equal significance.

This text is an excerpt from Michel Ledru’s last book: e-Learning, an Enterprise project (Editions Connections, France).