Managing content and curating a perfect training program for your employees has always been in question! Often, people get confused between LMS and CMS, their functionality, and which one to choose. Both are online platforms that help in creating, storing, or offering courses. An LMS is more structured, whereas a CMS is more helpful for storing, organizing, and presenting data. Through this article, let us know in depth LMS vs CMS.
What is an LMS?
LMS or learning management system, is a web-based technology or software that is used to plan and access your learning programs. But when we see LMS vs CMS, it is more structured and user-friendly compared to CMS.
There are seven major types of learning management systems:
- Enterprise learning management system
- Free learning management system
- Commerical management system
- SaaS learning management system.
- Licensed LMS
- Integrated LMS
- LMS with built-in authoring tools
Initially, LMS was used to provide consistent training to the employees with effective and interactive training as the courses could be easily built and distributed. Also, their performance can be easily tracked with the help of the software. But then it has been shifted for educational purposes in different institutions.
Let’s see some of the key benefits of the Learning Management System:
- Can work with another platforms: An LMS platform can be used with CMS software as well. For instance, the platform can be used with a WordPress plugin which is a CMS platform.
- Versatile content distribution: The software allows you to post content in different formats like photos, videos, gifs and text formats. Also, you can customize your courses at any point and also add content as per your convenience.
- Reach wider audience: You can easily organize your courses with different audiences.
- Customizable: You can easily edit your courses and assign grades for your audience.
- Track progress: You can track the progress of your employees and also assist them with their learning track easily.
What is CMS?
CMS is content management system that helps in managing courses and content online. Mostly, CMS platforms will help you control access, collaborate, and arrange your content online. Your WordPress is one of the more prominent examples of your CMS platform. The software allows the user to make changes to build content without any HTML knowledge.
Here are some of the functionalities that CMS can provide you:
- Versatile content: The platform allows you to create and upload content in different formats, like videos, photos, or texts.
- Varied access: You can create different layers of access as per your audience. You can choose what content will have access to whom. Moreover, You can have access through multiple computers.
- Customize design: You can change the design template as well.
- Serves many purposes: CMS can be used for many other purposes other than education and training.
So, as we have discussed both the platforms, let us see the difference between these platforms to make a more precise choice:
- The biggest difference between both platforms is who the user is.
- CMS majorly focuses on storage and content management, not learners.
- Features like gamification and quizzes are present in the LMS but not in the CMS.
- An LMS offers more detailed reporting or tracking as compared to CMS.
- You can track the progress of your course or employees and see how they are working and performing. This is not possible with a CMS.
LMS vs CMS – which one to choose?
There will always be LMS vs CMS, but it is always better to choose a rapid and easy path. Hence, a learning management system should be your ideal choice to manage courses. The LMS facilitates more automated courses too, and gives a better learning experience.
If you want to just store your files and documents, then CMS can be an option for you. You can easily arrange your files in folders to have access by multiple users and authors.
If you want to have a learning experience and organize training programs, your ideal choice should be a learning management system. The software allows you to build your own academy through which you can cater different courses to a wider audience. You can easily customize the platform as per your needs and then organize your learning resources efficiently.
