Compare IBM Lotus Learning Management system with IBM Workplace collaborative Le

Large enterprises spend nearly millions of dollars each year training employees, business partners and providers. Learning management systems are becoming increasingly complex, not only to meet physical equipment and web-based training delivery needs, but also to meet the needs of planning and scheduling activities. The implementation of the learning system requires careful analysis of the cooperative education methodology used. Perhaps you need to redefine some business processes, or even redesign the course delivery method. From an IT point of view, these systems need to be flexible and scalable. At the same time, security, integration and performance are important factors in designing a successful learning system.

This article will help you determine which IBM learning system is right for you. We will explain the advantages of each system and provide some factors to consider when making a selection. We assume that you are an educational expert and are (or will be) evaluating IBM's learning offerings. The basics of managing and delivering cooperative training will help you understand the terminology and concepts discussed here. For more information about the benefits and features of the IBM Learning system, see the IBM Learning Web site.

IBM Learning Products: a brief history

In January 2003, IBM Lotus released the Learning Management System 1.0. This is the first IBM Lotus product based on Java EE technology. DeveloperWorks: Lotus article "The Evolution of Lotus e-Learning Software" outlines the development process for each version of the LMS component.

In 2003, IBM announced the Lotus Workplace strategy, an innovative solution that brings together all aspects of enterprise collaboration. IBM quickly released 4 portlets to connect with the LMS 1.0.2 in the background through the existing Web Services APIs. The LMS 1.0.2 and the portlets added to the Lotus Workplace together are called Lotus Workplace collaborative Learning 1.1. Therefore, two products not only share the same code, but share the same database structure.

While maintaining a high degree of coordination between the two products, IBM has developed the LMS and Workplace collaborative Learning in parallel. When a problem is found in either of these products, patches are provided for two different code streams.

In early 2004, the LMS 1.0.3 was released with Workplace Collaborative Learning 2.0. Then, in 2004, the LMS 1.0.4 and Workplace Collaborative Learning 2.0.11 were released. IBM then renamed the Workplace Code stream to IBM Workplace collaborative Learning and released version 2.5 in the second quarter of 2005.

The following table shows the version and attribute mappings between the LMS and Workplace collaborative Learning:

1997-2002

q1 2003

q3"

q3

learningspace Forum 3.6.x learningspace 5.0.x

learning Management System (LMS 1.0.x Classroom Schedule Teacher Certificate Schedule

learning manageme NT System 1.0.4 Workplace Collaborative Learning 1.1 New student UI Portal interface Hint-ready 8 more languages

learning Management System 1.0.5 Workplace Collaborative Learning 2.0.x Skill management Learning Plan Discussion Document sharing Directory integration

learning Management System 1.0.5 WorKplace Collaborative Learning 2.5 Virtual course Enhanced API

workplace ative Learning

These two products will be merged later. The next version of the Workplace collaborative Learning is also visible as the next version of the LMS.

Characteristic comparison

Workplace Collaborative Learning 2.5 and LMS 1.0.5 Use the same code, so in many ways they are essentially the same product. Still, Workplace collaborative Learning 2.5 has many new features that are not available in the LMS 1.0.5.