Get on Cloud Nine with Cloud-Based eLearning

Faster Internet connections, the development of mobile Internet

platforms and increased cybersecurity measures contributed to the

rapid growth of cloud-based software in the last five years.

Projections now forecast that by 2018, more than 80 percent of

companies will adopt the Software as a Service (SaaS) model for

their software application needs. Leading the way in SaaS offerings

are cloud-based learning management systems (LMS) that deliver quantifiable results and

unprecedented user flexibility at a fraction of the cost of an on-premise elearning platform.

Demystifying the Cloud

Cloud-based software is an application available to you, on demand, from any device that has

access to the Internet, without the assistance of management or your service provider. Accessing

software through off-site storage provides numerous benefits to businesses.

Flexibility in cost: The old on-premise software model required businesses to purchase

either a separate software license for every device running the software, or an enterprise

license to cover all company-owned machines. Both options cost SMBs thousands of dollars

a year in IT expenses, and left them open to litigation if the software owner discovered

unauthorized installation of the program. Cloud-based software costs companies 54-62

percent less than the on-premise model because of the various pricing options available.

The most popular pricing choices include per-user access fees and unlimited annual

licensing arrangements.

Speed of implementation: Adding or upgrading software on-premise was both costly and

time-consuming. Whenever a company purchased new software from a vendor, the

enterprise was at the mercy of the vendor’s installation team in terms of scheduling. This

problem became more burdensome when businesses needed to install software at multiple

locations. With cloud-based software, installation is no longer a worry. Users only need to

log into the platform through their normal browser to get access to the software instantly.

System updates: A cloud-based training system updates instantly to every user on the

network, allowing companies to make changes or implement new educational modules

without interruption.

Hardware requirements: On-premise LMSes need extensive server support for optimal

operation. Cloud-based software utilizes the server and computing capacity of the hosting

service, which eliminates on-premise servers.

Unclouded Results

A Learning management system backed by cloud-based software generates tangible results for

your business. In 2015, American companies will spend more than $1,200 per employee on direct

learning. The result of that training will be an increase in overall productivity of at least 10

percent and a significantly higher project completion rate for companies that invested in training

programs including 40 hours or more of material. The Gartner research and advisory firm

completed studies revealing that users who finish information technology (IT) training via an LMS

will see a radical reduction in the number of errors made, improve their services and will result in

better review times. LMS cloud-based software helps to produce these results because of:

Ease of access: Cloud-based software allows access to information whenever and

wherever the user wants. Instead of limiting training to company computers during working

hours, cloud-based software allows users to log in anytime. That includes late night hours

when they're at home, or the half hour or so they spend on a train, bus or subway while

commuting.

Device diversity: Not everyone can look at a computer screen for hours at a time. Eyes get

strained, backs ache and the information gets lost in the discomfort of reading a monitor.

Device diversity permits users to access the cloud-based software via any device that has

Internet access, including tablets and smartphones. Smaller screens and mobile devices

can mean users better engage with the training materials, taking in information more easily

and comfortably. In removing the potential barriers to learning, you promote user activity and

response.

Reporting: Users are most likely to interact with their LMS when they know they

are accountable. Compiling and housing data on every user was difficult before cloud-based

software because of the space and storage requirements. A cloud-based LMS stores

needed information about the user's experience, including time spent on the material,

success rate on quizzes and areas where there is a gap in knowledge. Armed with this data,

you are able to make better decisions about training in the future and tailor programs to

meet the needs of your users.

Learning management systems are an important tool for the training and development of your

team and the members of your sales channel. Cloud-based software is the fastest, least expensive

and most effective way to see a return on your training investment.

Read more at: https://www.bluevolt.com/blog/get-cloud-nine-cloud-based-elearning