Selecting customization instead of configurability. Custom code is an enemy of

50 Learning Management System strategic business processes and be able to change with them. Hard-coded, one-off customizations require extensive programming from ground zero every time business conditions change.

D. Benefit of LMS for E-Learning Organizations

Universities implement a learning management system because they’re committed to con- tinued learning, development and knowledge transfer for students, society, and alumni. Knowledge and expertise is a powerful edge in today’s complex business climate. The use LMS do provide benefit for learning organization see e.g. Robbins, 2002. An LMS has the potential to provide unprecedented value to universities. An enterprise- class LMS enables universities to deploy and evolve content delivery systems at a fraction of traditional costs, further accelerating return on investment.

1. Competitive advantage through proprietary knowledge. The fundamental business

advantage for organizations that invest in LMS solutions comes from the ability to create and share internal proprietary knowledge of products, services, and processes.

2. Cost reduction. LMS solutions allow for the online delivery of highly customized

learning objects to individuals, based on their unique existing knowledge, expertise, and learning requirements. In traditional training models, the ability to deliver individual learning solutions is impossible due to cost issues. With an LMS solution, every learner in the extended enterprise gets information that they need to increase performance, while the organization eliminates the travel and collateral costs of large- scale training initiatives.

3. Accelerated product launches. When a complex product is introduced, sales people,

channel partners, service representatives, customers and others need to be educated in order for a smooth market entry to be achieved. Inefficient and expensive training initiatives can have a negative impact on product rollouts. LMS applications allow for the rapid creation, delivery and evolution of proprietary content in support of product launches.

4. Consistent and timely content. LMS applications allow large organizations to

maintain a single delivery mechanism for all enterprise knowledge, which can be used to dynamically transfer knowledge in real-time across the globe. Information is current and consistent, and may be continuously analyzed for its effectiveness in reaching and educating an enterprise-wide audience. The costs of inaccurate or redundant knowledge are eliminated as every individual receives the proprietary content they need to perform at optimal levels. Institutions that have invested in earlier stages of e-learning technology evolution without achieving the desired organizational impact, as well as companies that have yet to invest in e-learning initiatives, are now poised to enjoy substantial business benefits from a learning content management system. An LMS thats linked to learning management sys- tems and other internal applications will become the product of choice and necessity for companies that need to achieve measurable results from their e-learning investments. 51 R EFERENCES Anonimous. Course Management and Delivery Tools, Web Course Resources, and Web Development Tools. Syllabus Magazine. http:www.syllabus.comprint.asp?ID=5938 Baumgartner, Peter and Jessica Pater 2005. Educational Scenarios with CMS. http:www.fernuni-hagen.debt Beshears, Fred M. 1999. Web-based Learning Management Systems. http:ist- socrates.berkeley.edu:7521articlesweb_based_lms.html Beshears, Fred M. 2001. Learning Management System Evaluation Framework. Beshears, Fred M. ?. New tools help instructors create and maintain course websites. http:ist-socrates.berkeley.edu7Efmbarticlesindex.html Betty 2006. LMS: Learning Management System. http:www.brainybetty.comLMS.htm Brandt, Sheila et. al. 2003. Ocotillo Paper: Learning Management Systems Overview. http:www.mcli.dist.maricopa.eduocotillopapersindex.php?yr=0203id=3 Carliner, Saul 2005. Course Management Systems Versus Learning Management Systems. http:www.learningcircuits.org2005nov2005carliner.htm retrieved 09-03- 2006 Ellis, Ryann K 2001. LCMS Roundup . http:www.learningcircuits.org2001aug2001ttools.html retrieved 09-03-2006 14:35 Egan, Dave 2002. Top 10 LMS Purchasing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. http:www.learningcircuits.org2002mar2002Egan.htm retrieved 2232012 Evangelisti, Dave 2002. The Must-Have Features of an LMS. http:www.learningcircuits.org2002mar2002evangelisti.htm , retrieved 2232012 Eva Kaplan-Leiserson 2006. Learning Circuits Glossary. Learning Circuits -- ASTD. http:www.learningcircuits.orgglossary retrieved 1-12-2006 Greenberg, Leonard 2002. LMS and LCMS: Whats the Difference? ht t p: w w w .learningcircuit s.org 2002 dec2002 greenberg.ht m r et riev ed 09- 03-2006 Learning Circuits 2005. ASTD’s Field Guide to Learning Management System. ASTDs On- line Magazine About E-Learning. http:www.learningcircuits.org Maanen, Therese van 2005. A Practical Guide to eLearning. Talent2 eLearn. www.talent2elearn.com.au Moran, John V. 2002. Mission: Buy an LMS. http:www.learningcircuits.org2002jan2002moran.htm retrieved 22320128:17:18