In choosing the right learning management software, you end up at a fork in the road. Turning left, you choose Software as a Service: an off the shelf package, with no installation and plug & play. If you turn right, then you go for customization: ultimately tailored to the learning platform you have in mind. That sounds great of course, but what are the consequences of that choice for scalability, flexibility and cost? In this article we explore the options and zoom in on how Procademy makes this choice easier for you.
SaaS (Software as a Service) Learning Management Software is a cloud-based platform accessed over the Internet. You use the tool without local installation. As a result, a cloud-based LMS provides immediate access to the system without extensive implementation time. Maintenance, security and updates are provided by the SaaS vendor, who in return charges you a subscription fee per month.
Choosing a SaaS LMS has several clear advantages. First of all, as we already saw, a SaaS solution is quick and easy to implement: it is ready-made and thus does not require extensive development. This saves valuable time and resources during implementation. Moreover, the maintenance and updates of the system are fully taken care of by the SaaS vendor, allowing your team to focus on more important tasks.
Also nice: the scalability of a SaaS LMS. This online solution will effortlessly grow with the needs of your organization without having to redevelop or implement. As such, it usually makes SaaS solutions more affordable than other options because the costs of maintenance and development are spread across multiple customers.
Of course, it's not all celebration. The lack of custom options is a common complaint. You also depend on your vendor and its roadmap for your development needs: does your change serve multiple customers? Then you are more likely to get a timely update, but otherwise....
With customization, you have a solution built (partially or from the ground up), ultimately resulting in a unique piece of Learning Management Software. One that fits your needs and processes 100%. Every comma, color and step in the learning platform has passed through your fingers before the tool is set up and delivered. Full control, in other words.
This naturally provides a number of advantages: first, it provides you with a personalized and seamlessly integrated learning environment that optimally matches the unique requirements of your learners. In addition, customization offers control over the functionality and layout of the LMS, which means that modifications and updates are always done entirely according to your 'language'. Although customization usually involves significantly more time and cost compared to other options, it is an ideal choice for organizations striving for a 100% custom setup. Like your LMS, there is no second in the world.
The obvious downside, of course, is that a custom LMS, of all conceivable setups, involves the most cost and the longest development time. Another risk is that your 100% custom LMS of today may no longer be the perfect fit due to all kinds of organizational developments (new teams, different branding, new learning method). Moreover, the world around your organization does not stand still either. Incorporating the latest Artificial Intelligence applications in a custom design has quite an impact, which you have to bear entirely yourself.
There are more flavors. For example, you can opt for an Open Source LMS, where the source code of the software can be freely modified by your team. Earlier we wrote about Moodle in that light. This way you are not starting from 0 and still have the ability to customize to a certain extent. The disadvantage of this option is that you are not assured of timely important (security!) updates and support in the future. Also, this solution always resides on your own (rented or otherwise) hardware, on which you also have to perform maintenance.
Sometimes organizations also choose self-build. A custom solution that you don't buy in, but will deliver with your own developers. With the customization benefits mentioned earlier and, at first glance, without the high costs, that's a smart choice, right? That remains to be seen. Making good Learning Management Software is of course about so much more than just code clumping and delivering a piece of software. For example, awareness of didactics is essential to developing effective learning methods. How does the tool contribute to effective learning? Then there are the technical challenges where you need to ensure the right links with your existing systems. Think Single Sign-On, HR systems or Business Intelligence software. Links that the SaaS vendor of course usually has on the shelf. And if your developers are busy developing an LMS and all those associated links, what work is actually left in your organization? What are the actual development costs?
Another option: customization in a SaaS solution. The best of both worlds. The flexibility, scalability and affordability of SaaS, yet with a specific setup like custom solutions. That sounds like a winning combination.
At Procademy , we understand better than anyone that there is sometimes tension between your customization needs on the one hand and your need for a scalable SaaS service on the other. That is why we are always willing to cater to your unique needs, while at the same time striving to provide a highly scalable and manageable platform. The strength at Procademy lies in monitoring and providing that balance.
And to keep that balance optimal, we always have an open dialogue about your customization needs. We want to provide customization where possible, without compromising the benefits of a scalable SaaS service. So from SaaS made to measure, to Saas as made to measure.
By staying in conversation and listening carefully to your needs, we always find the solution that meets your expectations. Sometimes that is customization based on an offer. Other times it is a development that benefits all our customers. Then your wish fits better on our roadmap. And then your wish also fits better with our promise to keep developing over and over again, for the usual monthly SaaS fee for using the platform. It can be different again, if you are in a big hurry to make a change, or if your desired feature can only be partially deployed for other customers. In short, there are many flavors on which we can make realistic agreements with you. Procademy likes to make the difference as a technological partner. Accessible and with an eye for the wishes of the Dutch trainer.
In addition to developing additional features on a quote basis, we also offer custom links for all your possible specific integrations. We often configure standard links without customization. If additional customization is required, we always offer a custom solution for this as well. Our accumulated expertise in building links allows us to seamlessly integrate with existing systems and processes.
Procademy For example, has the following links already "on the shelf":
Procademy also uses standard technology to create links, for example SAML 2, RestAPIs, etc. This way we increase the possibilities to also link with your systems.
As a customer, we like to keep you involved in the development process. Therefore, we offer each customer a personal roadmap page, in addition to the general roadmap, in which all relevant wishes and developments are tracked. This allows you to track the progress of your specific requirements. This way we all stay involved in the evolution of your learning environment in particular and our platform in general.
Discover the possibilities of Procademy 's mix of SaaS and customization for your learning platform. Get contact us today for a personal consultation. Together we will work on a solution that fits your organization perfectly.
