TMS vs LMS: Difference and Benefits
While you are looking for an eLearning solution for your organization or institution, you may have come across different abbreviations like LMS, LXP, TMS, and so on. Though all software is similar, they have different features and applications applicable to specific learning needs. For more clarity on which one will suit your need the best, TMS vs. LMS, here are the differences and benefits for you to make an informed choice out of the two. Firstly, let us understand what an LMS and TMS are.
What is a Learning Management System (LMS)?
A learning management system is a software solution that helps you administer, deliver, document, track and report content related to education for students and training programs for professionals. The content can include interactive videos, courses, images, content, documents, gamification, and much more. LMS features are such that it works more in favor of students and proves to be beneficial for educational purposes since new content can be easily added to the LMS quickly, and the course can be updated. In addition, students can interact in a way like a classroom setting. The LMS is built in a way that is easy to operate and learn for students.
What is a Training Management System (TMS)?
Training Management System is a little different from a learning management system in terms of its features. It has all the features of an LMS like administering, delivering, tracking, reporting, and handling back-office tasks associated with training such as administration, booking instructors and sessions and reporting on business data. The features are such that it ensures a smooth operation from start to actual delivery to after-course services. The system also handles the trainer’s administrative tasks such as course registration, system administration, reporting, and tracking attendance, focusing on back-office processes.
Benefits of TMS and LMS
There are many benefits and significance when you compare TMS vs. LMS. First, the benefits can help you make a valid comparison to decide whether you need one out of the two or both for your eLearning need.
Benefits of Learning Management Systems
A learning management system has an easy interface to navigate and learn within no time. It is student-centric and is easy for a large number of students to learn at a time. The LMS can have log in for multiple users at once and also have a multi-tenancy feature that enables different groups to learn at a single time. In addition, the LMS supports self-paced learning. Here are some more benefits of using an LMS:
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Organizes all the eLearning content in one location
Instead of saving your eLearning content in different locations, the LMS enables you to store all the content in the LMS in a centralized location. Thus, it saves time and money from having multiple hard drives and devices by keeping all the data on a remote server. In addition, this benefits learners in numerous ways, like they can access the material from anywhere and add material quickly for collaborative learning.
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Easy to access and update content
When the content is available on the server, it provides unlimited access to the learners. Thus, learners can learn on the go and access their learning material even when on the job. Also, the eLearning content is mobile-friendly when in an LMS and can be easily accessed with a mobile phone or tablet. Because of its online nature, learners can learn conveniently without waiting for any course to start or end. It also comfortably caters to employees who are geographically scattered in different time zones.
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Easily track learner progress and performance
An LMS gives you the ability to track learners’ performance, set learning goals, and accordingly decide learning paths for each individual so that they can meet their goals. Most of the LMSs have reporting and analytics with which one can study the performance or learning behavior of learners and understand the strength and areas where one needs improvement. Then, looking at the reports, you can understand and change your learning strategies to make the most out of your learners.
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Encourages cost-effective learning
An LMS has online learning, and there is a lot of cost-saving when you do not have to conduct in-person instructor-led training. There are no costs related to renting out space, logistics, and transport. The LMS encourages social learning with learning engagement through whiteboards, chats, social forums, breakout rooms, and audio/video interactions without attracting any additional costs. The single LMS becomes the learning platform for multiple users irrespective of their location and learning groups and courses.
Benefits of Training Management System
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Multiple Benefits in One System
With a TMS within an LMS, you can have all your training planned at one central repository. The TMS handles eLearning and back-office administration from learner registrations, booking sessions, booking instructors, and managing business data. You do not need to invest in separate tools since the system takes care of the complete training requirements. Furthermore, since all the data is in one system, it becomes easy to collate all data to make reports and achieve more profound insights into training success.
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Offers Blended Learning
Within a TMS, you can manage both ILT and eLearning sessions and administer both simultaneously. A TMS offers the perfect blend of both in blended learning. You can track and get reports on both types of training and a consolidated report for individual learners. You can monitor resources and the progress in learning in both ILT and eLearning and decide on how the combination best works for you.
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Simplified Training Process
All the training material is at one central location, which simplifies the training process. If you want to add additional modules to your eLearning course based on new strategies or trends, it can be done in minutes within the TMS. It handles administration effectively, along with the scheduling and registering sessions. Learners can any time access courses and information as required or as per their schedule and time. It helps quickly track learner progress and performance and provides comprehensive reports to plan for training in future.
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Saves time and cost
A training management system can perform much more than administrating, monitoring, tracking eLearning sessions. It can also be used to maintain customer relations, analyze results and reports, manage sales, manage employee records, manage customer data, and have all the data at one central location. So, it saves administration time in looking for information when needed. You can also track sessions, get trainers onboard, track cost per session, and control your budget layout.
TMS vs LMS: which one do you need?
LMS and TMS have their benefits, and the one you need depends on the business requirement. The differences are elaborated in this blog, and there is, of course, one significant difference of managing administration related to employees, customers, sales, etc., within the TMS. In contrast, the LMS can be effectively used for eLearning only. So, while deciding which software to choose for your use, you can pay attention to the following questions and decide which one you want to go for.
- Do you prefer having a blended learning approach for your training sessions?
- Are you looking for only eLearning or also managing administrative processes and tracking?
- What features do you require in your software for your learning need?
- What is the cost of the software?
Wrapping Up!!
Getting answers for these questions can give you a holistic view to choose one out of the two, TMS vs. LMS, most suitable for your training need. Paradiso eLearning provides both an LMS and a TMS for training and online learning. Paradiso LMS is fully loaded with features to fulfill all the requirements you may need for your organization. On the other hand, Paradiso TMS is the most adaptable software for all your training and administration needs and provides tracking to measure the achievement of training goals.
