By now, most organizations are aware of the benefits of e-learning. They may also know the names of some of the leading learning management system (or LMS) vendors, and maybe they’re ready to take the plunge and invest in one. Unfortunately, there are tons of options on the market, many of which advertise themselves using technical jargon that the average person simply doesn’t understand. What are you supposed to do?
The answer is to turn to a reliable expert to help with your search, and Craig Weiss fits the bill. Weiss is the number-one analyst in the learning management system space, maintaining a blog on the topic since 2009 and serving as Lead Analyst for the trusted Craig Weiss Group. When Weiss issues a “platinum pick” or releases his annual top-10 list of LMS solutions, honored vendors rush to release a press release announcing their status and add his badge to their websites.
Weiss’s latest project is FindAnLMS.com: a free resource that lets anyone compare the best systems head-to-head with unbiased reviews and scores straight from the expert himself. You could create a free account on FindAnLMS.com right now and start comparing your options, but some people are so overwhelmed by all of the information available that they aren’t sure where to begin. This article will explain how to make the most of FindAnLMS.com.
Step One: Registration
Registering for a free account on FindAnLMS.com is as easy as filling out a simple online questionnaire. You will be asked for basic personal info such as your name and job title, contact info like your phone number and address, and a few extra questions such as how you plan to use the site. It should take you less than 30 seconds to fill out, and then you’re off to the races!
Step Two: The Search Begins
There are over a hundred LMS solutions listed on FindAnLMS.com, with more being added all of the time. As such, it’s best to use the filters to narrow your search to the vendors that can best meet your organization’s needs. Some of the available filters include implementation timeframe (or how long it will take a given vendor to launch your e-learning program), intended audience (employee or customer-focused?), and the number of end-users you anticipate having.
Notably, there are no bad LMS vendors on FindAnLMS.com. Weiss curates the list and includes only the best of the best, so you won’t have to worry about choosing a subpar system as long as you stay on the site.
Step Three: The Search is Refined
Once you have a shortlist of interesting systems, it’s time to dig into the details. Every listing includes basic information like the type of LMS and how long it takes to get started, plus ratings from Weiss in categories such as UI/UX (user interface and experience) for learners and admins, Metrics and Reporting, Enterprise Strength, Customer Support, and more. Finally, there’s a detailed description that contains important information that doesn’t fit into any of the ratings.
You can look at up to four systems at a time head-to-head, making it easy to see how they stack up to each other. If your shortlist has more than four systems, you can save them all as favorites so you don’t have to search for them every time you want to check something.
Step Four: Expand Your Knowledge Base
This step is optional but could help you make a more informed decision. FindAnLMS.com includes “Craig’s Insights,” a separate section where Weiss publishes short articles on specific learning systems, trends in the industry as a whole, and product reviews. It’s a great way to add some context to your final decision.
Step Five: Making the Decision
The only detail that you won’t find on FindAnLMS.com is specific pricing info since most vendors design a custom solution around your organization’s needs. That said, you can click on a vendor in the catalog and request a quote, allowing you to go directly from FindAnLMS.com to your chosen vendor’s quote page.
FindAnLMS.com is a powerful tool, but it isn’t as complicated as you might expect such a resource to be. Better yet, there are no limitations on how often you can use it. You can run an unlimited number of searches, save as many platforms as you want, or come back after months of being idle all at no charge. You drive the entire experience while taking advantage of Craig Weiss’s industry-leading expertise.
Now that you know how easy FindAnLMS.com is to use, you’re probably ready to get started. Create a free account of FindAnLMS.com right now and do exactly that! It’s the best way to find the right LMS for your organization.
