Searching for, being assigned, or launching training content has become a daily event for most Learning Management System (LMS) users—and it’s not surprising considering how simple the processes have become. Over the past 20 years, companies like SumTotal have evolved their learning management systems tremendously in an effort to provide straightforward access to valuable reference documents and training materials.

As business environments become increasingly competitive, access to knowledge is becoming a key differentiator—whether by enabling a sales associate to deliver the perfect pitch on a new product, or by educating a project manager about a new process that improves efficiency. In this knowledge-intensive environment, the role of the LMS also becomes more critical. It is not just about training employees and getting them ready for their jobs, but ensuring that they have the knowledge available in real-time to continuously improve in their jobs.

Historically, very few organizations could afford Knowledge Management (KM) systems, even though their value for business performance improvement was apparent. However, KM is not a mere desire anymore. Mature LMS system such as SumTotal TotalLMS can consolidate Learning Management and Knowledge Management functionality in a single solution and increase affordability.

This consolidation of Learning Management and Knowledge Management is a natural progression. For many organizations, LMS is the primary knowledge repository, either because they have no formal KM system or because it simply makes sense to keep all the files in one, easily searchable repository. (Case in point: Have you noticed how frequently you now upload files to your LMS for the express purpose of driving development?)

There are plenty of other reasons why it makes sense to continue evolving the LMS, so you can leverage it as a Knowledge Management System:

  • A well-designed LMS offers robust document metadata (think tagging), which allows for deep, in-context search.
  • An LMS enables users to upload their own knowledge documents and assign them to the appropriate categories.
  • KM documents do not require an LMS Registration process to access; rather, they are typically a one-click download.
  • KM administrators will have one solution on which to focus their enterprise-wise knowledge sharing efforts.
  • All documents accessed can be tracked as informal learning events, so your organization gains a holistic view of all development activities and centers of expertise.
  • An LMS provides the ability to drive communities around documents or knowledge categories, giving you additional tools for in-context research.

Furthermore, when using an advanced Learning platform such as SumTotal TotalLMS, administrators can automatically provide users with appropriate security to upload documents directly into the Learning Management file system. These files are immediately indexed and available to other users within your organization.

This evolving way of learning paves a clear path for the LMS and knowledge management to link together—ultimately giving users the ability to tap into many learning elements from a single location. The traditional Teach-me, Show-me, and Follow-me elements of Learning, are combining with Capture, Share, Find and Re-Use elements of knowledge management.

SumTotal is excited about what this evolution means for the LMS, as we’ve been developing our products to maximize knowledge management and knowledge resources for some time. Want to know more about our progress? Read about our combined Learning and Knowledge Management solutions and our recent accolades from KMWorld. If you’d like more information, contact SumTotal.