Learning Content Management System

Features, Platforms, Costs

With 13 years in development of content management systems and 9 years in delivering eLearning software, ScienceSoft offers consultancy and implementation of learning content management systems (LCMS).

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Learning Content Management System - ScienceSoft

Learning CMS in a Nutshell

A learning content management system is used by instructional designers to handle all activities related to eLearning content, including authoring, storing, publishing, auditing, replacement, deletion, localization, content analytics, and more.

LCMS Architecture

Based on ScienceSoft's experience in eLearning implementation projects, we provide an example of a typical LCMS architecture.

Learning content developed by instructional designers and subject matter experts using content authoring tools is stored in a content repository that supports multiple content formats. Then, the learning content is delivered to learners via integrations with learning content delivery solutions like LMS, LXP, eLearning portals, and more.

Key Learning CMS Functionality

At ScienceSoft, we deliver tailored LCMS solutions depending on a customer's eLearning needs. Below, we outline the LCMS features commonly requested by our clients.

eLearning content creation

Support of multiple types of content (text, audio, video, images, VR content, etc.).
Content templates and content reuse.
Creating eLearning content with various types of learning interactions (e.g., drag-and-drop, fill in the blank, matching, multiple choice, sequencing).
Content assembling into courses, lessons, exams.
Authoring tools compliant with technical requirements (e.g., SCORM, AICC).
Real-time collaboration on content.

eLearning content storing and management

Centralized content storage.
Metadata tagging.
Searchable content repository.
Content review workflows.
Permission-based access to content, content versioning and audit trail.
Content retention and deletion policies.
Content translation and localization support.

eLearning content delivery

Multi-format (Word, PowerPoint, PDF, HTML, and more) export of eLearning content.
Content filtering by languages, roles, regions, and other aspects to adapt content to specific audiences.
Accessibility on mobile devices.

eLearning content analytics

Dashboards on the number of learning content page views, course activity and completion rates, time spent per session, preferable devices for accessing the eLearning content (PC, tablet, mobile phone),
Dashboards on the number of users accessing the eLearning content depending on users’ location, department or region.
Course activity tracking.
Content use/reuse reporting.
Learner engagement and satisfaction with content.

LCMS Capabilities Illustrated

Use pre-built templates to easily create courses and other learning content

Fill your courses with text, audio and video content, images, surveys, and more

Build quizzes using multiple choice questions, items matching, and more

Facilitate search of learning content across the catalog by using various search filters

Create mobile-friendly content for learning on the go

Get valuable insights about learning content usage

Need Productive Learning Content Management?

ScienceSoft’s team will help you implement a robust learning management system for streamlined creation, organized storage, and fast delivery of your educational content.

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LCMS vs. LMS

Both LCMS and LMS provide features like learning content management and compliance with eLearning technical standards. However, these systems have different target audience and offer different capabilities for learning content authoring and eLearning management.

Target users

Content creation capabilities

Learning management capabilities

Learning content creators

Advanced authoring tools with extended functionality for custom content creation

Learning content management

Corporate and academic learners, learning managers, course designers

Built-in authoring tools with basic functionality

ELearning, social learning, and blended learning support, including virtual and offline classroom-based learning, as well as course scheduling and assessment

Different and common features of LCMS and LMS

Recommended LCMS Integrations

ScienceSoft recommends integrating LCMS solutions with relevant enterprise systems to enable centralized eLearning and improve the quality of employee training and development.

LCMS + BI - to enable insights on how to improve eLearning content based on collecting multiple metrics, such as course completion rates, preferred eLearning device (e.g., PC, tablet, mobile phone), and more.
LCMS + LMS - to deliver digital content created in learning content management system as part of organized eLearning adapted to various learning styles, with personalized learning paths, scheduled events, competency mapping, and more as well as adapt learning content in LCMS based on the changes of learning needs (e.g., shifting from online learning to blended learning).
LCMS + HR software - to offer personalized learning content to employees based on their roles, responsibilities, and skills.

Factors that Determine Learning CMS Success

Relying on ScienceSoft's experience in content management solutions and eLearning development, our experts have defined important factors, which if covered, help bring robust learning content management software to customers.

	Highly intuitive authoring tools that enable quick and easy creating of eLearning assets and assembling them into courses, tests, and other eLearning units.
	Compliance with widely accepted technical standards like SCORM and AICC to ensure the learning content created in LCMS will be compatible with any compliant LMS.
	Support of adaptive learning – eLearning delivery customized to learners’ specific needs due to personalization, diversity of languages and content formats, and more.
	Mobile-first approach to enable users to access learning content at any time and at any place.

LCMS Costs and ROI

Developing a learning content management system with core features like templates, real-time collaboration on eLearning content, permission-based access, mobility, and eLearning content analytics may cost from $22,000 to $55,000.

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Key financial outcomes

The average annual ROI for a learning content management system is around 50–100%.

Reduced training time

due to providing learners with eLearning content they need, directly and orderly.
Decreased costs

of eLearning content development due to active reusing of the content.
Higher learning impact

and knowledge retention due to personalization.

Platforms We Recommend for Building Robust Learning CMS

The key platforms ScienceSoft uses in LCMS implementation projects are as follows:

summary

Rating: 4.21/5 (3,000+) by Software Advice (Gartner)

Key strengths: OOTB integration with Microsoft 365; search by metadata and full text.

Cautions: Obligatory customization due to non-compliance with SCORM out of the box and the lack of built-in tools for creating complex educational content like interactive videos, maps and sliders.

Features

Reusable templates.
Content governance.
Co-authoring.
Automated workflows (e.g., content approval).
Versioning and audit trail.
Reporting and analytics.

Pricing

$12.50-$57 user/month (including Office apps)

Learn more about SharePoint LMS

SUMMARY

Rating: 4.55/5 (12,000+) by Software Advice (Gartner)

Key strengths: Free 55,000+ plugins and 5,000+ UI themes, ease of use (e.g., drag-and-drop course creation, two-click course publishing).

Cautions: Running many plugins at the same time may bog down the system, leading to performance and compatibility issues.

Features

Authoring course pages, lessons, quizzes, assignments.
Learning progress tracking.
Learners’ analytics.

Pricing

Includes costs of a domain name ($12/year) and hosting costs ($2.95–$49.95/month)

Learn more about WordPress.org

SUMMARY

Rating: 4.23/5 (300+) by Software Advice (Gartner)

Key strength: Many languages are available out-of-the-box, a flexible taxonomy system useful for handling large amounts of content.

Cautions: Steep learning curve, non-intuitive interface, basic coding skills are required to manage the platform, third-party modules may hinder the solution’s performance.

Features

46,000+ add-ons and 2,900+ UI themes.
Creating and managing various content types including text, video.
Content templates.
Built-in translation capabilities for content and UI.
Built-in SEO tools.

Pricing

Free but has many paid add-ons

Learn more about Drupal

When Custom Learning CMS Is the Best Fit

ScienceSoft recommends custom learning content management system when you need specific eLearning features (e.g., non-linear multistep content approval workflows), extra eLearning content security, unique branding. What’s more, custom LCMS can help you reduce TCO in the long run due to saving money on regular license fees required by LCMS products.

Should You Opt for a Custom Learning CMS?

Take our short quiz and find out which solution – custom or platform-based – is your best option.

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Do you require functionality that market-available CMS platforms commonly lack (e.g., learning gamification elements)?

Do you have unique content creation and delivery needs (e.g., a complex non-linear publishing workflow)?

Do you plan to use advanced technologies, such as AR or VR, to create and deliver learning materials?

Do you need your learning CMS to be compliant with SCORM?

Do you plan to create multi-lingual learning content?

Do you want custom branded design of UX and UI?

Yes

Sergey Golubenko

ScienceSoft’s Head of the SharePoint Department

You should consider custom LCMS implementation when you need specific integrations, for example, with custom search platforms that extend search capabilities of your LCMS due to features like a built-in crawler.

LCMS Development with ScienceSoft

Having 9-year experience in developing IT solutions for eLearning, ScienceSoft leverages mature IT processes to bring you solutions for streamlined learning content management:

Custom LCMS consulting

Analyzing learning content management needs.
Defining an optimal LCMS feature set.
Advising on a fitting platform or a technology stack.
Suggesting useful integrations (e.g., LMS, HRMS, BI).
Choosing an LCMS implementation methodology.
Drawing an LCMS implementation project plan.
Elaborating on UX and UI strategies.

Request consulting

Custom LCMS implementation

Eliciting learning content requirements.
Determining the optimal LCMS platform or a tech stack.
LCMS architecture, UX and UI design.
End-to-end LCMS development or configuring a platform-based LCMS.
Integration with enterprise systems or third-party tools, e.g., HR software.
Quality assurance.
User adoption and training.
Post-implementation support and evolution.

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What makes ScienceSoft different

We achieve project success no matter what

ScienceSoft does not pass mere project administration off as project management, which, unfortunately, often happens on the market. We practice real project management, achieving project success for our clients no matter what.

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About ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft is a global IT consulting and custom software development company headquartered in McKinney, Texas. We provide companies with custom learning content management system consultancy, development, support and evolution services. Being ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified, we guarantee high-quality IT services and security of our clients’ data.