Why Software Companies Need an LMS
Key takeaways:
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Companies in the tech sector thrive on change. Agility and disruption are the standard; the software industry is an early adopter of the technology it develops. New tools, programming languages, and frameworks are constantly being introduced.
All this rapid innovation, however, means that the tech workforce is nearly always underskilled; 64% of respondents to a recent poll from MIT Technology Review Insights said candidates for their IT and tech jobs lack the skills needed for the role. This creates a need for continuous learning in the tech workforce. Delivering, updating, and managing that learning can seem like an overwhelming task.
That’s why it’s so important for software companies to use a Learning Management System (LMS).
Who needs training in the software development industry?
The short answer? The entire extended tech enterprise needs training. The increasing complexity of the software industry and its products means that everyone is always learning: from your staff to your clients:
- Your workforce: The tech industry’s skill gap is well-documented; a recent Robert Half survey found that 95% of technology managers face challenges finding skilled talent to fill jobs. It’s not just about upskilling, however. As technology evolves, so do policies and regulations designed to govern those new tools; your team needs to understand new laws in order to be in compliance. Threats are also evolving; cybercriminals are constantly seeking vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
- Your partners: Partners (affiliates and resellers) are critical pieces of the software sales process. Research findsthat deals close 46% faster when a partner’s involved in the sale. Deals are also 53% more likely to close. But what if a partner hires a new sales associate who doesn’t know your product well? And what happens when you release a new version? Partner training is essential to ensure that all parties are up-to-date with your product.
- Your customers: Today’s software is complex. If a customer doesn’t see value quickly, there is a good chance they will abandon your product and move on. Training customers can help them understand your solution quickly, so that they’re engaged and seeing value in your product as soon as possible. A well-trained customer base also cuts down on the number of support desk tickets, and allows customers to troubleshoot minor issues on their own.
Keeping all of this learning content updated and organized can seem like a daunting task, especially if your organization needs to track and manage the process of individual learners. However, an LMS can simplify this task, no matter how many learners are in your extended enterprise.
Why does a software company need an LMS?
An LMS is an indispensable tool when it comes to assigning and managing learning content; especially when there are several sets of learners.
A learning platform (like Litmos) is a single source of truth for all your learning. It is a centralized repository that allows your team to deliver training, track learning progress, and ensure every learner stays up to date. This may include onboarding new hires, rolling out security training, or helping staff build the skillsets your organization needs.
What LMS features should software companies look for?
Because tech companies have many different needs — and because those needs can change fast — there are a few features that may be particularly helpful when looking for the right LMS:
- Scalability: You may start as a tiny team and grow fast, suddenly needing to train partners and customers. The right LMS will grow with you, so you can easily manage and track all your learners.
- Course authoring: No one knows your product like you do. An LMS should allow you to easily and quickly create content for your learners, so that you can build and update content as soon as you need it.
- Learning paths: Need to create a certification program? Your LMS should let you build structured learning paths for those who want to become experts in a skill or tool.
- Integrations: Seamlessly connect your LMS with other critical systems like your CRM and marketing automation platforms.
- Robust analytics: Your LMS should allow you to track learner progress, measure the impact of your training, and identify areas for improvement.
What are the benefits of an LMS for software companies?
NAVBLUE is a software company specializing in solutions for airlines and aircraft operators. Several years ago, the company knew it would have to change the way it was providing customer training. There was no way for their customers, global airlines, to quickly find answers to product questions. At the time the NAVBLUE training program consisted of product experts and technical writers creating release notes and lengthy user guides and help files.
NAVBLUE turned to Litmos to streamline its customer training. Together they built the NAVBLUE Academy (NBA), an engaging, efficient program that serves more than 50,000 learners.
“To make learning easier for our customers, we have taken a micro-learning-object (MLO) based approach,” said Erica Marten, Head of CX Process Optimization Strategy & NAVBLUE Academy. “We have been able to break down our product training into singular processes and bite-sized pieces of information for ease of learning. Each MLO has a simulation-based elearning component and a documentation side to it. With the additional method of single source content creation, we’re able to create this content once and publish it in multiple locations (i.e. Litmos LMS, as support portal knowledge base articles, and as content within our product-embedded help files).”
The result? Engaged learners, and a significant decrease in support tickets.
Investing in Growth and Agility
In an industry that never stops evolving, the ability to learn quickly, and help others do the same, is a competitive advantage. Software companies that invest in a Learning Management System aren’t just keeping pace with change; they’re driving it.
With an LMS like Litmos, organizations can deliver consistent, scalable, and engaging learning experiences for employees, partners, and customers alike. From onboarding and compliance to product training and certification, Litmos empowers software companies to turn knowledge into growth, ensuring everyone in the extended enterprise stays informed, skilled, and ready for what’s next.
Finding the Best LMS for Your Organization
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably in the process of making a short list of LMS options for your tech or software company. The question that decision-makers in your organization are trying to answer?
“Which LMS platform is best for software companies?”
This question is more complicated than it sounds. With so many software training platforms on the market, it can be overwhelming to determine the best LMS for your training needs. And what makes an LMS perfect for one tech company, might miss the mark for another…
For tech or software companies, making an informed investment in learning software begins with understanding who you’re training, how you want to deliver that training, your budget and technical requirements, and the level of customization and flexibility needed to meet your training goals.
To easily compare your LMS options, Litmos has created a free LMS vendor comparison checklist. To find the right LMS for company’s needs, download the free checklist here.>>
Not every LMS is created equal. Request a free, no obligation demo to see why 4,000+ companies and 30 million users trust Litmos as their all-in-one learning solution.
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