SaaS LMS vs. Hosted LMS

Finding the right LMS from hundreds of them in the market is not a small task. Plus, deciding on the LMS deployment type – Self-hosting or Cloud/SaaS, adds only to that superhuman task.

If we see on a broader level then, we use and trust the cloud to store a lot of things daily. It holds everything from our recently visited spots in our maps to all of our photos and movies, favorite apps, passwords, music – you name it, and the cloud is probably helping you out with it.

In old times, the hosted LMS solutions were the only way to do business, but future-ready businesses have moved into a new age of technology. Users’ privacy is their ultimate right. When their information is shared with third parties, there are chances of information misuse, self-hosted LMS is a relief in that manner.

Both of them offer their own pros and cons. So, let’s evaluate how each type will benefit you and decide the best hosting option holistically.

What is SaaS LMS?

This is a new buzzword in the LMS industry and it’s SaaS which stands for software as a service and is used to describe a type of LMS that is based on the internet or you can say CLOUD rather than directly on your computer. SaaS LMS hosting is called an “on-demand” service. That means you get an LMS product as a service from your software provider when they host your LMS on their remotely located servers.

Why SaaS LMS?

It is worth giving a thought to whether a SaaS LMS solution would be a better fit than a more traditional hosting solution.

• It won’t take up valuable space on the server

SaaS cloud LMS tool will be hosted by the software company themselves, enabling their clients to fill their servers freely with their important data and documents.

• It doesn’t limit the access

SaaS LMS software completely removes the problem of access as users will be able to log in to their dashboard and get to work right away, no matter where they are.

• It is much easier to get started

Choosing a Saas LMS means that employees can try LMS solutions on their initiative and get started right away when they find the right tool.

• It will always be updated

Choosing a SaaS LMS removes issues of remembering regular updates, as bug fixes and upgrades will be carried out centrally by the software company.

3. Pick what features are needed to have vs nice to have:

Building on what you want to achieve, start familiarising yourself with the standard features and functions that LMSs have – such as set-up, fully reactive systems, course creators, events, translation, etc. – then make a decision based on what is essential for your needs.

As learners continuously react to the market and gain the skills required, they become an adaptable force that can shift and twist with any changes in the market.

As a result, employees have a greater wealth of knowledge and react to what the industry demands, letting you leverage their skills to carry your business through all ups & downs.

What is Self-hosting LMS?

Self-hosting LMS is also called self-deployed, in-house, or installed LMS. In short, your LMS vendor provides you the eLearning software as a product, and its installation is offered as an “on-premises” service. To be very specific, you host your own LMS on your servers.

So, before you consider self-hosting LMS, ask yourself these questions. Are your content and data more important than the expenses it costs you to self-host the LMS? Do you want a total customized product with your branding of online training?

• #1 Data and Content Security
• #2 Tailor-make Your Learning Solution
• #3 Low Maintenance Cost in the Long Run
• #4 Server Storage Capacity
• #5 Fully Responsive Team

Why is the SaaS LMS more relevant?

At Gyrus, we are focussed on extended enterprise (partner, customer, or member training), employee training, onboarding, or corporate training, people need learning technology that is easy to use, easy to automate, and accessible.

Training programs should happen on a real-time basis, through online learning which just cannot be done without having modern solutions. Here are five primary advantages of a SaaS cloud-based LMS:

1. Reduced upfront costs : Self-hosting an LMS would involve a lot of technical aspects of a system internally (or through any third-party host). Depending on the size of your program and the expertise required, this can call for a huge investment.

On the other hand, SaaS cloud server hosting solutions are likely to result in significant cost savings since your LMS will be hosted and maintained by an external service provider.

2. Rapid deployment : With SaaS hosting, there’s no need to go through the logistical headache of installing LMS software on your local servers and configuring it to your specifications. With no software to learn and install, everything is hosted online which simply means that you can sign up and start uploading your eLearning content straightaway.

3. Lower learning curve : Cloud-based LMS platforms are good for a marketplace where consumers aren’t expected to have a specialist level of knowledge. Your average cloud-based provider offers an online support service to deal with queries. But it’s still essential to find an LMS host that aligns with your team’s skills and experience level. Always assess possible candidates to verify that your needs will be met intuitively.

4. Stress-free maintenance : If you are working with SaaS LMS server hosting, it simply means you don’t have to deal with unending upgrades or updates or worry about outdated technology. Similarly, data losses or bugs within your local system become less of an acute issue and aren’t your sole responsibility to fix.

Normally included in cloud hosting is the expertise of an external support team. Not only the service provider’s team help you stay on top of any IT issues within your LMS, but they will also track the latest tech advancements, and smoothly integrate them into your platform.

5. More accessibility : Accessibility is one of the major reasons people opt for a SaaS LMS. By using a self-hosted setup, users are restricted by in-house infrastructure. But if you move to the cloud then your team is no longer tied to a particular location or office-hours schedule.

This advantage is better for remote teams working on online projects—and today, after the pandemic this feature is likely to be considered more of a necessity than a luxury for employees collaborating across multiple locations.

To conclude the above, we can say that SaaS-based LMS is hosted in the cloud are more cost-effective, easier to use, and offer more flexibility and time-savings. They are also well suited for a future-forward learning strategy that operates much like the rest of our technology: through the cloud. A SaaS LMS is the finest option for anyone who needs an LMS for training employees, customers, partners, or just about any other audience you can think of. It’s a much more cost-effective option and yet you won’t be compromising on quality.