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BIS Safety Software | How to Choose the Best LMS for Your Business

BIS Safety Software

The LMS Buyer's Guide:

Choosing the BEST Learning Management System (LMS) for your Company

Choosing the best Learning Management System (LMS) can make or break your training programs, employee development, and compliance initiatives. With countless options on the market, selecting the best fit is overwhelming. This guide breaks down critical factors to help you confidently navigate your options and choose a system that truly enhances your organization’s efficiency.

Why is this important? LMS platforms are designed with specific industries in mind—some are ideal for schools, while others are built for corporate training or industries like construction and mining. Choosing a system that doesn’t align with your industry’s needs might still work, but it won’t deliver the best results. The right LMS is one that’s tailored to your business, helping you maximize efficiency and create a more effective training environment.

For Canadian organizations, it’s crucial to ensure the LMS stores data on Canadian servers to

comply with local privacy laws, protecting your business from potential legal risks.

What Should You Look for in a Top lMS?

Critical Elements of an LMS

When choosing an LMS, these are some key elements to ensure a learning management system works for you.
Construction Industry Course

Ease of Use for Industries

An adaptable LMS offers a user-friendly, customizable platform suitable for industries like Energy and Transportation. Its simplicity, paired with robust access controls, lets businesses personalize training solutions while maintaining security and a smooth user experience. This enables effortless integration and effective management of training initiatives across multiple sectors.

Scalability and Flexibility

Designed for growth, a scalable LMS can handle companies of any size, with flexible access management, API integration for user provisioning, and features like audit logs to track activities. This adaptability allows businesses to expand without compromising on performance or security as they grow.

Security and Compliance

A reliable LMS guarantees data protection and compliance with key standards like SOC 2 and GDPR. Opt for systems with encryption for both in transit and at rest, safeguarding sensitive data. Role-based permissions and multi-factor authentication (MFA) further strengthen security by preventing unauthorized access.

Customer Support

A premium LMS offers round-the-clock, proactive customer support for onboarding, issue resolution, and routine maintenance. From monitoring vulnerabilities to managing essential updates, support teams ensure system stability and promptly handle concerns, keeping operations efficient and secure.

Key Considerations for Choosing an LMS

When selecting an LMS, it’s important to evaluate solutions based on your specific needs. Below are the key factors to consider when comparing platforms:

Ease of Use

Your LMS should be intuitive and easy to navigate, both for administrators and users. A complicated system can hinder adoption and decrease engagement.

Ensure the system is easy to navigate for all users.

Tools like customizable dashboards or drag-and-drop interfaces can simplify the user experience.

Personalize views for different roles and departments.

Dashboards can display relevant KPIs, course progress, or assigned tasks based on the user’s role.

Verify LMS access on mobile devices.

Mobile-optimized interfaces or dedicated LMS apps help users access training anywhere.

Confirm quick onboarding for new users.

Tools like guided tutorials or built-in walkthroughs help reduce the learning curve for new users.

Integration Capabilities

The LMS you choose should integrate seamlessly with the software your organization already uses—whether it’s HR tools, CRM systems, or compliance software.

Verify the LMS integrates via APIs with HRIS, CRM.

APIs allow for seamless data flow between the LMS and other tools like payroll, HR software (e.g., BambooHR), or CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).

Check for automated data synchronization across systems.

Integration with systems like Zoom for virtual training, or Google Workspace for document sharing, ensures compatibility.

Confirm compatibility with compliance tools or other third-party systems.

Automated sync with compliance management tools ensures that data is updated across platforms, such as in compliance reporting systems.

Scalability

As your business grows, your LMS needs to scale with it. Whether you’re adding more employees, locations, or departments, your LMS should accommodate growth without sacrificing performance.

Ensure the platform can scale with your user base.

A scalable database and cloud infrastructure allow the system to handle large volumes of users without performance degradation.

Confirm the LMS uses cloud hosting for scalability.

Cloud solutions like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure provide flexible and scalable hosting.

Verify that data is securely segregated for multiple clients or departments.

Multi-tenant platforms allow for segregated databases, ensuring client-specific data security while supporting multiple organizations.

Feature Set

Make sure the LMS offers the features you need, such as course creation, tracking, compliance reporting, certifications, and mobile learning.

Verify the ability to create custom courses.

Course authoring tools like SCORM or xAPI-compliant builders allow organizations to create personalized learning experiences.

Ensure the LMS supports SCORM standards for content.

SCORM and xAPI compatibility enable easy import of existing eLearning content.

Check that the system generates detailed reports.

Reporting features should include customizable reports on learner progress, compliance status, and certifications.

Ensure it tracks regulatory and compliance needs.

Tracking tools allow for automated alerts and reminders for compliance training, helping meet regulatory requirements like OSHA or GDPR.

Cost and ROI

While price is always a consideration, it’s important to think about the return on investment (ROI) that an LMS can bring. A more expensive system might save you more time and money in the long run.

Confirm detailed, transparent pricing models.

Look for clear pricing structures such as subscription models or pay-per-user fees.

Calculate how much time and money automation can save.

Features like automated compliance reminders, digital forms, or exam grading help reduce the manual workload.

Verify the LMS saves time on manual reporting.

Automated reports for training completion, employee progress, and compliance status save hours on manual tracking.

Customer Support

An LMS is only as good as the support behind it. Make sure your provider offers fast, reliable customer service and onboarding assistance.

Ensure round-the-clock support is provided.

Chatbots, live chat, or ticketing systems ensure users get help when they need it.

Confirm dedicated help during setup.

Onboarding tools, such as video tutorials or dedicated support agents, can make the implementation process smoother.

Verify access to a knowledge base and tutorials.

An extensive knowledge base with FAQs, how-to articles, and video tutorials can empower users to troubleshoot issues on their own.

Security and Compliance

Security should be a top priority, especially if your LMS stores sensitive employee or company data. It should also help you stay compliant with industry standards.

Ensure data is encrypted at rest and in transit.

Encryption protocols like AES 256 ensure data security while being transferred or stored.

Verify compliance with industry standards like SOC 2 and GDPR.

Security certifications, audit logs, and privacy tools help maintain regulatory compliance.

Confirm that all user activities are tracked for compliance.

Audit logs track user activity, such as course completions and data changes, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Check that access is restricted based on user roles.

Role-based access controls allow admin users to assign permissions based on roles, ensuring secure access to sensitive data.

Now that you know what to look for, what are...

The Best Learning Management Systems

Adobe Learning Manager (US): Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

TalentLMS (US): Ideal for small businesses

BIS Safety Software (Can): Strong in safety compliance and workforce training

Absorb (Can): Great for learning management in classrooms

iSpring (US): Recognized for being a great small starter company option

Docebo (Can): Preferred by large corporations

D2L Brightspace LMS (Can): Popular with educators

Blackboard Learn LMS (US): Favoured by higher education institutions

Canvas LMS (US): Widely used by Ivy League schools

Moodle LMS (Aus): Good for non-profits and is an excellent open-source platform

Let's Take a Closer Look

Absorb

Use Cases

In-Person Training,
Mid-Market,
Learning,

Key Features

Generative AI,
In-House support,
Custom branding,

Integrations

HRIS/CRMs,
Headless LMS,
Webex/Teams/Zoom,

BIS Safety Software

Use Cases

Worksite Orientations, Compliance Training, Competency Mgmt,

Key Features

SCORM,
Training Matrix,
Instructor Led Training,

Integrations

Payroll and HR,
Digital Forms,
Advanced Analytics,

Adobe Learning Manager

Use Cases

Content-Rich Training, Corporate Learning, Custom Learning Paths,

Key Features

Robust Authoring Tools, Adobe Integration, Gamification Options,

Integrations

Adobe Creative Cloud, HRIS/CRM’s,
Video Conferencing,

iSpring

Use Cases

Onboarding,
Compliance
Training,

Key Features

30-day Free Trial,
24/7 Support,
SCORM,

Integrations

HRIS,
CRMs,
Video Conferencing,

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right LMS is critical to ensuring your organization’s training, compliance, and onboarding processes run smoothly. A well-designed LMS should offer the tools you need to manage, track, and deliver training effectively, while providing the flexibility to grow with your business. With the right system in place, you can improve efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and empower your employees to succeed.

Contact us to learn about different LMS technology for your business!