Check this out everyone!

382 Tips for Selection of an LMS or LCMS
http://www.elearningguild.com/pdf/4/lms-selectiontips-f.pdf

For what it is worth, I tend to be extremely leery of vendor offered RFP templates as it's a disingenuous feature dump designed to put their product in the best light.

In our LMS purchase, we created a series of scenarios and asked LMS vendors (on their dime) how they would address the business needs and scored the vendors against the quality of the solution. It takes a little more work to develop the scenarios, but you also spread ownership of the purchasing process to those who assist in the scenario development process.

This process revealed a shocking lack of creativity from many LMS vendors but the contenders responded with solutions that were visually stunning and remarkable at how well the scenarios were met. It also led to a wonderful discussion about capabilities around other needs we had not considered. You just will not get this from trying to do a vendor originated feature dump.

Best of luck in your project.

Sue

Sue...great post. By any chance can you share any of your scenarios with me. How do I reach you. Thanks, Ron

I've been reading this board for quite a while but rarely posted (inexperienced compared to you guys!). Thanks to all for the software recommendations, I've demo'd most of them.

I recently created a LCMS for a corporation (using their specs, CSS) then recreated it with Joomla. It was a pleasure rebuilding the site and very inexpensive since Joomla is open source. Although my new LCMS is a bit generic and bare-bones, I am pleased with the outcome.

OS wins hands down when compared to hosted services IF your company can support it technically. I'd be happy to share my experiences with you if you'd like to explore that route or just want to "play" with a sample!

Just email me at ccbee@aol.com and I'll send you the info.

Hi Jen,
Yes, I'm happy to share. I created an "LMS use case" for an instructional design project with a non-profit association. At the end, I installed, configured, and implemented the open source Moodle course management system.

Here are my specs:
LMS Users:

• Instructional Designer needs to insert and organize content – web page html files with text, graphics and learning interactions; to organize and deliver training content
  
• Need to design and insert surveys, polls and evaluation forms.
  
• A dispersed group of learners need an intuitive interface that allows easy entry and access to desired pages
  
• Administrators need and project sponsor needs reporting and tracking capabilities, billing and scheduling functions.
  
• Course facilitators and learners need scheduling information.
  

Optimally, a learning management system for this training program needs the following features:

• Centralized, automated administration and billing functions;
  
• Password, security and firewall features;
  
• User access using only a browser;
  
• Both classroom and e-learning management and training functions (e.g. enrollment processes, calendar features, notifications, and reminders;
  
• Self-service and self-guided services as much as possible;
  
• A collaborative learning space; communication features
  
• Assemble and deliver learning content – LMS must be compatible with Macromedia Dreamweaver and Flash
  
• Index feature for a search function, bookmark function;
  
• Assessment functions; creating, scoring and recording tests;
  
• Technical support
  

Enrollment and tracking procedures
Entry point for all participants will be formal enrollment in the Training Program.
Subsequent tracking involves

• on-line learner support
  
• recording scores from the on-line assessment quiz
  
• scheduling workshop attendance
  
• monitoring completion
  
• soliciting and collecting course feedback
  
• encouraging and facilitating collaborative participation
  

Options for collaborative learning

Activities may include both synchronous and asynchronous on-line events.

Need to assess or survey learner needs and interests.

Allow access by mentors and facilitators.

Ease of use for posting for non-technical users.

Some things to consider are:

• Installation and licensing of the software package.
  
• Enabling infrastructure hosted or installed?
  
• 1. The software is purchased, installed, managed and maintained in-house.
  
• 2. Buy the software and have it housed and managed remotely by a third party.
  
• 3. Buy the software and install it on an in-house data platform. Have the LMS vendor or another third party manage the maintenance and upgrades.
  
• 4. Some LMS vendors operating their own enterprise e-learning system share access to their system. Basically, you lease “space” on the host data site.
  

Costs – Fees vary depending on features, users and required support.

• up-front licensing fee model?
  
• a per-learner-per month subscription model?
  
• hosted Application Service Provider (ASP)
  
• some will not support their LMS application on a client's server.
  
  

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LeeB,