The "L" in LCMS can mean the difference between success and failure for organizations.
One missing letter can change the whole meaning of a word. While many companies have made significant investments in a Content Management System (CMS) to manage documents, images, videos, etc., they lack critical features and functionality that only an LCMS provides. Unlike a Learning Content Management System (LCMS), a CMS lacks the “L” for “Learning” and does not address the comprehensive needs of modern learning teams.
Critical Features & Functions CMSs Lack
- SCORM courses are not supported.
SCORM is the foundation for tracking learner performance on training material. Without SCORM, a CMS is unusable. - Handling Instructor Led Training (ILT) materials is difficult.
CMSs are designed to work primarily with digital outputs. ILT is still widely in demand and requires a variety of output types—many of which must be printable—both for the instructor and the learner. - Multiple outputs cannot be generated from the same source content.
This means the presentation will differ and have to be recreated for each format (web, mobile, print,) causing duplicate work. - Learning interactions are nonexistent.
Learning content goes well beyond passive types of content (read, listen, watch). Creating truly engaging learning content includes developing interactions, testing, and providing adaptive materials that only a true LCMS can handle.
- Analytics and data are centered around marketing, not learning.
A successful content author must be able to track learner consumption details to a more finite level in order to analyze and create effective learning content. - Content re-use at scale is not possible.
The volume of learning content explodes with different outputs, languages and learner needs. Content re-use is a critical concept that allows content authors to curate and assemble content into a variety of formats. Unlike an LCMS, a CMS focuses on managing completed materials, not authored blocks of content that are used dynamically to produce courses. - Collaborative work-flows are limited.
An LCMS supports the unique interaction between authors and subject matter experts, to include information gathering, curating, assembling and review. Without this, learning organizations are forced to use costly work-arounds and waste valuable time during the development process.
An LCMS Does Everything a CMS Can Do and More
Whether it is providing the latest compliance training or addressing updates on new procedures in the field, developing and delivering high-quality education to employees or customers at the point of need is a challenge all organizations face. While a CMS can manage content, the abundant lack of learning features and functionality has a compounding effect.
Even if a CMS can address a few of these issues, they simply don’t provide the robust capabilities required by modern organizations. Only an LCMS addresses the complete needs of organizations focused on producing—and being able to track—high-quality, engaging learning content.
Xyleme LCMS
That’s why Xyleme’s LCMS is the first choice for organizations that require a modern content strategy. We defined the LCMS space, and we continue to innovate and add functionality to meet our partners’ evolving needs. We are proud to serve some of the largest organizations in the world, and we are committed to ensuring their success in the ever-changing modern learning ecosystem. Now that you know how an LCMS is different than a CMS, compare LMS vs. LCMS platforms.
