8 Things to Look for in Online Training Software –
Making Sure Your Choice Includes the Must-Haves
So you’ve decided that an online training software solution is the right way to go in your employee training. So what should you look for in an online training software package? This article focuses on some of the most important considerations in choosing the right online training provider.
Shopping for training software platforms can be challenging. After all, you can’t walk into a vendor’s offices and ask them how it works. Fortunately, you can do the next best thing. You can visit their website and take a virtual tour. You’re also able to see their social media accounts, check for testimonials and speak with current customers.
It is crucial to provide efficient and practical training for your business to be successful. At ReadyTech, we have years of experience helping train new hires that need to be trained on policies and procedures while existing employees need to keep their skills up-to-date. Compared to conventional classroom training, employee training software programs offer a wealth of advantages.
Here are 8 Features We Think You Should Have on Your List Before Investing in a Solution.
1) Is It Compatible With Existing Tools?
Does the new employee training LMS (Learning Management System) fit together with your current tools? You might want to confirm that the online training software fills a hole in your toolbox instead of creating a new one. For example, it must run seamlessly with your CRM software platform.
2) Is It Remote Friendly?
Whether they’re on the sales floor, in an office space, or thousands of miles away working remotely, team members expect easy access to training materials. Consequently, your new online training software must be remote training-friendly. If possible allowing offline access via an app. At the very least, employees should be able to download content for later viewing. Bonus points if it’s responsive so that it automatically adjusts elements based on the device.
3) What Activities Does the Online Training Software Support?
Every organization requires a unique learning approach. While interactive scenarios might be great for customer service skill training, multimedia presentations might be best for training tech support staff. Your online training needs are specific to your organization. The online training software you eventually choose should have all of the training features you need to meet these particular needs. Ask the provider about which multimedia elements and learning activities the software supports. If you haven’t tightened down your list of performance goals and objectives yet, ensure you research beforehand to get an exact idea of what features your online training software needs to include.
4) What Reporting or Analytics Capabilities Does the Software Offer?
The quality of the reporting and data you receive from any online training courses is essential, as this will allow you to gauge their effectiveness. It’s critical to confirm what types of reporting feature the online training software offers. For example, do they allow you to track module completion and scores? Can you see how long it took an employee to complete the course or how many times they accessed a particular module?
5) How Much Support Do You Need?
Certain online training software providers offer round-the-clock 24/7 support to their customers, while others may only provide an online FAQ or forum to address your questions or concerns. It’s essential to determine the level of support you truly need when contemplating your options. Many providers who offer advanced support services, such as email and telephone support 24/7, may come with a higher price tag. If you are comfortable with minimal support and have a dedicated IT staff who can work out any bugs, this may lower costs.
6) Does the Vendor Offer a Free Trial?
Many online training software providers offer the chance to try out their products before buying them. However, some don’t let you take it for a test drive before clicking that “buy” button. If possible, you should opt for an online training software that at least offers some live demo or trial, giving you the chance to determine if its features are going to be of use to your organization. In the end, some online training software may look great on paper but then doesn’t live up to your requirements once you have the opportunity to get a firsthand look.
7) How Will the Training Be Implemented?
How are you going to be providing the training? Are you likely to install it directly onto your company network, or would a cloud-based solution that gives your employees convenient access to their training modules work better? Many of the online training software solutions available today are cloud-based, which means that your teams will have the opportunity to learn remotely. And in the new normal world of work, this is a plus.
8) On-Going Assessments
Learners are motivated in different ways. Adult learners often are inspired by the need to know what’s in it for them. For this reason, they need space to review their progress. The training course should have self-assessment options embedded. Corporate learners can then periodically test themselves to see how well they’re doing. Often programs also use attention-grabbing progress bars. These show how far they are along the online training course.
So when you’re in charge of purchasing an online training platform, take an honest close look at online training software features. Making the wrong choice will lead to not only wasted resources but ineffective results. Luckily, having our list of requirements can help you screen out inappropriate options.
Let’s Talk
If you are looking for a training delivery solution with layer after layer of deeply thought-out features explicitly designed for training, you are in the right place. To reach the ReadyTech team to discuss your training needs, contact us by clicking here.
