SaaS E-Learning Platforms: 5 Ways They Have Transformed Training
SaaS E-Learning platforms introduce simplicity, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness into the previously unwieldy process of training employees on a large scale. SaaS LMS (learning management systems) have come to surpass traditional software deployment models that were limited in scope and accessibility. SaaS e-learning gives companies a wider reach when it comes to scaling up their training capacity. The cloud-based approach that distinguishes SaaS e-learning platforms also presents a considerable advantage over older training methodologies. Many companies have now shifted their online learning programs to Software-as-a-Service models to reduce costs, make learning more mobile, and make their overall training efforts more collaborative as well as interactive.
The 5 Reasons SaaS E-learning Is Superior
SaaS technology has become dominant since it was adopted in the early 2000s. The rise of cloud-based, SaaS e-learning platforms has also transformed the ways that companies introduce new processes and technology to their workforce. Innovation has driven e-learning tech to new levels of sophistication that make them essential for companies looking to optimize the learning process. Here are five reasons why online distance learning via SaaS e-learning platforms has become invaluable.
The Expertise of SaaS Software Developers
Companies that require new software to support their organization-wide training drives can turn to specialized, third-party SaaS software development teams for solutions. An outside software development team can tailor solutions around a company’s specific objectives. The project could be undertaken in an appropriate amount of time and at a cost that would be much less than the time and resources they would spend to do it in-house.
The proliferation of dedicated SaaS providers over the years is evidence of the availability of this expertise. Some providers cater to specific industries while others are more flexible in their capabilities. With the creation and fine-tuning of their electronic learning app in trusted hands, organizations can redirect their focus to other aspects of the business without experiencing any serious delays or interruptions.
Unfettered Mobile Access
The shuttering of offices and workplaces around the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic cemented the importance of having flexible and non-site-specific SaaS platforms ready to deploy. With employees not being able to access their work terminals, on-site software would have gone unused and essential operations would have been slowed.
The development of cloud-based technology has allowed organizations of all sizes the freedom and flexibility to let workers log in remotely to learn new skills. A multifaceted LMS also provides employees with several learning styles that offer them dynamic and exciting new ways to interact with training material.
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More Effective Communication
An LMS with open access software enables employees, managers, and anyone with the proper access the ability to communicate and collaborate more effectively. Without the hassle of permission-restricted software that was previously only available to specific users, a wide range of users can log in to an LMS and easily share, review and comment on important documents or materials.
The problem of software or hardware incompatibility evaporates with a single, stream-lined SaaS platform as well. Outside parties and organizations can easily sync with an existing or newly-created program without the need to purchase, download or install any third-party software onto their servers. A single, unified system also eliminates the risk of individual computers losing or deleting important documents, as all important files are saved and backed up on the cloud.
This capability is something many LMS share with other document-sharing programs like Lumin PDF, which gives users the ability to create, share, and annotate important documents in PDF format. With Lumin, users can easily create new PDFs and upload them to a central, cloud-based server like Google Drive where anyone with the requisite permissions can access and edit them.
Rapid, Hassle-Free Adoption
A stream-lined, organization-wide LMS allows companies and their employees to adapt rapidly so they can make the transition to any new training schemes without compatibility or interface issues. SaaS vendors and developers can make the deployment of new software easier by integrating the LMS into a company’s existing architecture so employees are already familiar with the interface, eliminating any prolonged learning curves.
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A company-specific LMS also makes communicating between departments and teams seamless, as all interested parties are using the same software to accomplish their objectives. Completely new LMSs can also be deployed in specific departments to be stress-tested, but can then be scaled up or down as needed to other parties or the entire organization without any wide-scale compatibility issues.
Less Resource-Intensive
There is always a cost involved in creating, setting up, and implementing a new software solution, but whether an organization decides to go with third-party developers or doing their software design work in-house, any SaaS learning platform can help them save in the long run. The cost associated with using outside parties to create a new LMS depends both on the organization (size, objectives, existing software, etc.) and the developer (experience, skills, location, etc.)
There are also LMS vendors with already-made platforms that companies can adopt, but there are fees associated with those programs as well. Companies would usually have to pay licensing fees or monthly subscriptions to use the software and may have to purchase new add-ons or other updates to the software on an individual basis. But that is a small cost compared to having to rebuild or reconfigure an existing LMS.