Limitations of Free Cloud LMS – Is it Free anyway?

With the popularity of e-learning, Learning Management Systems have been a permanent fixture in the corporate training structure. Traditionally, LMSs were implemented enterprise-wide and resided safely within the confines of the organization server. In addition to making e-content accessible to learners across the organization, the in-house cloud LMS offered complete security because the organizational data was stored behind the firewall and other security measures.

With the option of cloud-based hosted LMS, organizations can now be ‘asset-light’ and implement a LMS without a whopping initial capital expenditure.

• The learning platform can be run on operating costs and the flexibility of Cloud solutions make sure that the demand can drive the consumption. With a cloud-based solution, most hardware and software costs disappear. So instead of spending money on infrastructure and maintenance of the cloud LMS, organizations can now invest in impactful e-learning content and human capital.
• Learner can log-on to the learning management system from multiple locations, as per his or her ease – ensuring maximization of system and an increase in learning uptake.
• A cloud-based LMS integrates with existing technologies and systems such as HRMS and scheduling tools. This makes it possible for L&D managers to deliver training as well as assess and analyze students. They can also apply that knowledge to improve their content and course design.
• Collaborations on the cloud-based LMS are easier with online services from multiple sources. Web-based resources like Pinterest, Youtube, and Linkedin become resources that support collaboration and can provide digital assets for course creation for learners and managers alike.
• When the Cloud learning management systems first appeared, security of data was often cited as one of its major shortcomings. However, as cloud-based solutions matured, LMSs have made suitable changes to ensure data security. Modern systems have multi-layered firewalls and advanced network design which ensure that only authorized entries into the Cloud LMS are allowed. Sections within the LMS can also be made restricted – where only administrators or managers can log-in to keep an eye on learner progress.

In more recent times, the in addition to paid LMS systems, there are also various free LMS available for the consumption on learners and instructors. These LMSs are cloud-based and like any other web-based application, available free of cost. These systems are incredibly easy to use and give instructors the opportunity to create content and learning events as per their requirements. Many of them are built to mirror the design of popular social sites like Facebook and Twitter. This attracts learners to the system and they can work very well on the new system. However, there are many limitations of free LMSs as well.