Please note that the text might be squished since I am writing from the WordPress app.

First day cool product of the show

Leapfactor

Frustration Factor

Why hasn’t ASTD figured out how to do things right. Gripes abound in this year’s show. Here are my favorites:

Get your hot news here

Talk about some interesting tidbits. Here is what I heard and saw from day one.

Quick Hits

This year there are more e-learning vendors than in the past. Lots of traffic on day one, but the expo hall closed at 2:30 and I noticed that many people who had just completed their seminars wanted to come in, but could not.

What was big this year?

Besides mobile it was gamification. From soft skills online gaming to learning games on mobile to gaming in some fashion in a LMS or self contained mobile app.

I’d actually go so far and say mobile was a distant third, with LMS vendors or learning platforms coming in second. Sure many of the learning platforms and LMSs mentioned their mobile capabilities, but if you looked around their marketing placards and immediate copy it wasn’t highly visible.

What your salespeople are really doing on the floor

As usual, some vendors showed up with no demos of any kind. Better yet, the usual let me eat lunch while I am talking to you also appeared.

I also loved the salespeople checking out and reading their smartphone while in their booths. Nothing like seeing your company’s $$$ being flushed down the toilet.

But the best was the carrot principal folks. They were tossing carrot doll like things across their booth and to each other. I will say they gave me three of the carrot doll/toy like things for my dogs. Diego, Cheyanne and Milo thank you via barks.

That’s today’s wrap up. More to come tomorrow with another blog post.

E-Learning 24/7
]]> http://elearninfo247.com/2013/05/20/astd-international-conference-day-1-wrap-up/feed/ 0 E-Learning 24/7 http://elearninfo247.com/2013/05/20/astd-international-conference-day-1-wrap-up/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/E-learning24/7Blog/~3/3JtGpBw_lx8/ http://elearninfo247.com/2013/05/14/e-learning-musings/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 23:49:55 +0000 Craig Weiss http://elearninfo247.com/?p=3221 ]]> As an honored tradition for the ASTD International Trade Show and whatever else they call it, I present my latest news and notes in the world of e-learning.

T&D

I know what you are thinking – T&D means training and development – yes you are correct, but in this case you are not.  I’m referring to trials and demos for a learning management system/talent mgt. system and so on.

You would think that after years and years of having trials and demos, the process to get a trial and see a demo would be as simple as me typing these words.  Oh, you would be so wrong.

While it is true that vendors have trials, actually taking the trial has become worse than in years’ past, especially with mid to large size vendors.  What is troublesome though is that there are small vendors who are applying this approach to their own platform.

Let me be quite clear on this — people want to take your product for a test run.  Having them jump through hoops or listen to your banter to assess their worthiness is not beneficial to anyone – especially your potential new client.

I often refer LMSs to cars because in many ways they are similar:

• Both cost money, and in most cases are one of the most important decisions you will make
• Both can be budget busters
• You test drive a car before you buy it, so shouldn’t you take the LMS for a spin too? (via a trial)
• The car salesperson either before the test drive, during or after it, shows you the features and discusses – hmm, sounds similar to a LMS demo (showing features, talking about it)
• Many people lease a car, well when you are buying your LMS (you are really leasing it – unless you actually bought the whole thing – and that is no longer common these days)

Demos

Similar to the increasing issue with giving quick access to trials, is an increase in suffering through a demo.

There is a continuance of bad demos, which again – why?  I could see if your product is brand new or the person has never given a demo in their entire life, but a serious chunk of time that is not the case.

Demo gripes from readers are on the rise, and I hear the same scuttlebutt at trade shows.  For every great demo, you hear several more that stunk.

Here are a few gripes (see if you land in any of these categories)

• The salesperson talked about the company more than showing me the product
• I saw lots of PowerPoint slides and virtually no product
• The demo did not match what I bought (still a big issue)
• The salesperson did not answer my questions OR the salesperson was not listening to me
• The demo did not work

On a recent call with a vendor, they went way off target and I ended up surfing the internet while listening to them.  I wondered how many other people do the same thing? I am guessing quite a few.

I continue to see a lot of people who should not be on the phone, giving a demo.  They are boring and monotone. 

I’m not saying you should be the next Bobby McFerrin, but at least be positive and engaged in the conversation.

And now..

Trends

A few trends that are hitting boost mode just in the past quarter:

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities seeking out LMSs including multi-tenant platforms – in droves – one vendor told me they had never seen this vertical as busy as it has been in the past

Companies who provide products/courses to the B2B and B2C channels (specifically through multi-tenant systems) – I’m talking about high octane here – I forecast this will only gain ramming speed (yes, Animal House reference)

On/Off synch being added by vendors in a variety of e-learning genres – a nice spike – I also forecast this to continue to grow

More LMS vendors – again, this is no where near death or the “everyone wants talent mgt systems” – sure, we are losing vendors, but the numbers are being offset by newbies entering the space. I cannot think of a time when there were more vendors in the market, then right now

• HTML5 in authoring tools and LMSs – not yet in high gear – not even close, but way better than three months ago

• Increase in number of vendors offering low cost systems – targeting 300 or less employees – I believe this will also continue to grow

And finally, a slight increase in the change from dated UI to a more modern and crisp UI – hey, I’ll take it!

Bottom Line

As I have said before there has never been a better time then now to be in the e-learning industry – regardless if you are a vendor or a buyer.  The winners are going to be your employees, customers, channel partners and even you.

Best of all, it is only going to continue to gain momentum.

Surprise:  You may have noticed that things have changed a bit here on the blog. A new design and look. Well, this is just a start. If you have time take a look at the channels area, where you can go to a specific category (i.e. one says LMS) and see all the posts. In the coming months, a video channel will be added – featuring quick tip videos from myself.  Let me know what you think in the comments section.

Quick Reminder: Follow me on Twitter to get real time updates (#ASTD2013 and #elearning247) from the ASTD International Trade Show next week (20-22nd for me) in Dallas. I will be posting a special nightly blog covering the day’s events, including my rock stars and products that hit rock bottom.  Plus, see video clips and hear from fellow attendees on the show.

E-Learning 24/7

A LMS should first be a LMS

When I talk about a LMS, I am saying specifically a learning management system and the vendors themselves should see their own product first and foremost as a LMS, not as a TM/PM or whatever.  You can have TM features – regardless if it is an add-on or included (turn on/off), but it shouldn’t really be the core.

Best Selling doesn’t mean the Best

There is a wide assumption that if a product sells a lot it means that it is better than anyone else.  Yet if you look at the marketplace of any consumer product you will see that is not always the case.

The car company Honda is listed as a best seller. But can you tell me it is a better made product than BMW, which has less sales than Honda?

From a general product standpoint, go take a look at Amazon.com or Consumer Reports. You will always find products that are not well known yet receive rave reviews or “best buy”.

How many times do you go into your local supermarket and compare the generic version X to the brand name?  How many times do you go with the Brand name because of the name itself?   There are plenty of generic products that are equal or superior to the brand. 

You might be surprised at the number of generic products actually made by the same brand name – but white labeled.  Yet, for many of us, we still see generic as less superior to its brand name counterpart.

Branding and name recognition will boost sales – that is why marketing and advertising is so important in any industry. If your product is better known it is more likely to do well than if product X is not well known. 

Think about it.  Do you own a product that isn’t well known to your friends?  I know I do.  Heck, I bet you have products that you love and are not well known to the masses.

2012 Lists

In my final 2012 list, SuccessFactors actually appeared as number six, but I stated the following, “Their product is more geared towards a human capital management system, especially with the BizX Suite”…. “I want to be very clear on this – as a standalone LMS I would not go with them, but as a human capital management system (HCM), I would.”

The Latest

I viewed a SuccessFactors presentation – put on by the company to me and saw that they listed their platform as a human capital management system (it appeared on a slide). 

I have always seen then as talent/performance management platform which was becoming more of a HCM and this only re-confirmed it.  Plateau is long gone and buried and people should realize that.

SuccessFactors UI itself is slick and it offers a very nice extended enterprise (which is noted in my last blog post), but if I was to post a list of top ten LMS vendors they would not be there – reason? See above.

Saba

“While the pricing is outrageous and the Saba as a whole seems better suited as a HCM, their learning suite is a better alternative than those who want Cornerstone OnDemand.”  They were listed number 20 in 2012.

Fact

A few years back I had a call with Saba and in the call they told me that 63% of their customers were using their platform as a talent and performance management system and not as a LMS.  I recall that in the past year with them, the numbers of people who used them as a pure LMS were in the same range if not a bit lower.

Reality

I have some real concerns on what is taking place with Saba today. They are being sued by shareholders due to alleged financial irregularities and were delisted by NASDAQ – although they still appear in the pink sheets (OTC). 

Their own accounting firm,  Ernst & Young LLP, announced they would resign following the completion of the restatement by Saba.

If you go and review their net income for 2011 you will see they were negative seven million dollars. What about 2012 you say?

“On March 28, 2012 the company announced a delay in releasing its earnings for its fiscal third quarter 2012, “to allow the Company additional time to complete an internal review of the accounting treatment of certain international transactions.”” (Empowered News)

Granted this is not tied to the LMS per se, but still I would have serious reservations about buying their product.

Cornerstone On Demand

It is one of the worst UIs I have ever seen and I see them more as a HCM anyway.  But if you have any doubts on why they are not in my Top 20 read my product review.  Cornerstone On Demand Review

SumTotal

Oh where to begin. Another example of an over inflated platform (IMO) whose name recognition is what drives them to big numbers. 

Or better yet, let me provide you with some details

• Service and support is lackluster
• Back end UI is confusing and not user friendly
• Look at their product lines:  SumTotal Talent (uh, Talent/PM), SumTotal Work (includes Payroll), SumTotal elixHR (HR), SumTotal Learn – okay, three are HR/OD related and one is pure learning. 
• Their own mini description under their name in Google, “The only HR vendor to offer a complete portfolio which includes; talent, learning, workforce, payroll, analytics, mobile and social delivered via SaaS, on-premise..”  

For us training purists and I know there are plenty of us out there – HR is not the same as training and at many companies those who run training would fight tooth and nail to not be under HR.  Nothing against HR but it is not the same as a pure training/learning department.

Bottom Line

I can’t tell you the number of people who are always surprised at the number of LMS vendors in the marketplace – and this includes other LMS vendors. 

While these four win awards from some of the bigger names in the industry – it doesn’t mean they are the best, in everyone’s eyes.

Because frankly, they’re not.

E-Learning 24/7

Actually it means many things which is why the term itself should be kicked to the curb with serious force.

Just because a system lists itself as an extended enterprise does not mean it comes with multiple domains (which with some vendors includes customized) nor with multiple portals or my preferable term – “multi-tenant”.

You may see an “extended enterprise” which not only refers to the company’s employees, but also their customers and channel partners.  Or you may see an extended enterprise which focuses on the B2B, B2C or both.

That is the problem with the term and as such it creates quite a confusion in the marketplace.

It goes to Number 11 (Spinal Tap reference)

The problem is that there is no one size that fits all.  Rather, it depends on a wide variety of factors including price (which always comes into play).  Therefore, I am going to provide the following:

• $-$$$$:  Price point based on 500 users.  In some cases it will be noted if it is based on a higher set of users, since there are platforms that prefer a minimum or focus on larger size businesses including associations, etc.
• Multi-Tenant: Some people refer to it as portals and sub-portals. Although this is not proven, I believe that some of these folks refer to licorice Twizzlers as  delicious.  A multi-tenant is actually defined in a parent-child relationship. Whereas you have a parent (main company) and then its channel partners, etc. who are children. One channel partner/customer (which might be a company – often seen with TP) is a child. The parent can see every child including their data, but the child can only seem themselves and not any of the other children or the parent.
• TP – No this does not refer to toilet paper or toilet papering a house who gives you crummy candy during Halloween.  Rather it refers to a Training Provider, which is a firm/company that sells 3rd party courses through B2B or B2C channels. More often that not, B2B channels.
• B2B – Business to Business
• B2C  – Business to Customer
• CP – Channel Partner.  There are some systems who target only channel partners.
• SB – Small business
• SMB – Small to mid size business
• MB – Mid size business
• M2L – Mid to large size
• LB – Large business

Defining the employee size

You can find a lot of LMS companies who provide different information on the size of business.  For me, I define company size by:

• 500 or less employees: SB
• 501 to 1,500: SMB
• 1,501 to 5,000: MB
• 5,001 to 10,000: M2L
• 10,001 and higher: LB

For B2B, B2C – I do not define by a set of numbers.

Whom do you Love

Expertus One  ($$$-$$$$)- Still the best multi-tenant platform in the market. The system works at all levels: across the global enterprise, B2B, B2C, Channel Partners, mid size, mid to large and definitely large.

Each update takes the platform up on notch on its competitors.  Big wins for me include:

• On/Off synch for mobile devices
• Native app available in iTunes/Apple and Google (Android) – very few vendors have native apps
• New social which offers expert network, skills training ratings (using a slick interface), built in web conferencing (their own and they also offer WebEx and GoTo Meeting), wizards on the admin side which not only saves time but is easy to use
• Each tenant can have its own look, brand, logo, etc.

The one item that I see as needing improvement is the look and feel of the reports – but I have been told this will be in the next update (a few months from now).

If you are someone who is considering some of the bigger dogs like Cornerstone or SumTotal, I would seriously look at these guys.  Personally, I think they crush the monsters of midway aka CoD et al.

eLogic Learning ($$-$$$) – Another solid performer who continues to get better and better.  SMB, B2B, Channel Partners, small biz, SMB, mid size.  The UI continues to improve but IMO it stilll lacks the slick interface that I so desire.

Big wins:

• On/Off synch for mobile devices, also supports Tin Can API
• Easy to use interface
• Supports 3rd party APIs – actually most do, but again, if you asked “hey can I have Slideshare in my system”, they would say yes. Some systems say yes but really do not want to do it – and it is quickly recognized
• E-commerce included
• Nice classroom management
• Each tenant can have its own look, brand, logo, etc.
• Tin Can API

Besides UI tweaks, my only other real complaint is their setup fee. Just as ExpertusOne is a high.  That said their pricing for users is moderately priced and I believe extremely affordable for what you get.

BizLibrary $-$$. While I find their LMS name, “Company College” a minor challenge (I think it is a disservice to the product itself) there is no mistaking the oomph of this solution and where it started out to where it is today.  Small biz, SMB, mid size (will work), B2B, TP, Channel.

Big wins:

• User interface is easy.  Again, would love to see it become more slick and crisp, but hey I want every system to be that way. At least it does not look dated.
• Video blocks – You can have video clips or videos or video teasers shown on the home page and even the course catalog – providing a new way to explore content, beyond just the typical text info that is regularly seen on systems (you can still do it with theirs too)
• Custom tenants – each can have its own look, branding
• Compliance

One item I wish they would improve:

• On/Off synch. They don’t have it – and I still don’t understand why not (of course, a lot of systems don’t – what is taking so long?)

Docebo $.  The platform continues to impress. The personalization, localization, multiple tenants- each with its own logo, etc., CEU tracking, themes, easy to use on the front and back end.  Another shoe in for sweet. The UI is strong and the price point is very inexpensive. TP, B2B, B2C, Channel partners, small business, SMB.  Although mid size will work.

Big Wins:

• Comes with free courses and course marketplace – one click to add to system
• App marketplace – click and quick – it is in your system
• Did I mention the personalization – each end user can select their own language – ideal for global
• Each tenant can have its own look, logo, branding
• Literally a one stop shop of a system
• Tin Can API
• Comes with LRS (learning record store – which is still a major work in progress – the LRS premise that is, not the LMS)

One item I wish they would improve or add:

• On/Off synch

I like you, do you like me?

Firmwater $-$$.  A solid performer all around and still a nice winner in the SMB space.  B2B, Channel, TP. Employee size small to mid size.  You can’t go wrong with the system, but what is taking so long with a more modern UI? (as you can see this is a huge peeve of mine)

Epignosis – Talent LMS $.  Very clean interface that comes with a strong set of features. But it does not come with talent management, so the name is somewhat wacky.  As aforementioned, the UI is clean, but some the admin side which uses some icons, etc. – that while is simple to use, still doesn’t blow me away with coolness. Small biz, SMB, B2B.

Absorb LMS $$- Still quite strong as a multi-tenant platform.  Charges a $5 per learner (one time fee) but it is still moderately priced. HTML5 UI which is very slick and easy to use.  The add on Mercury module should be included (but that is my personal vibe).  Once the leader of multi-tenant, but no longer.  I see them more along the lines of SMB and up – including large.  B2B, B2C, Channel and TP.

NetDimensions - $$-$$$$. The system as a whole is quite robust including digital signatures, online/offline synch and a very nice UI. It’s latest social just doesn’t wow me, so if that is something you are high on, then move on.  B2B, Channel and maybe B2C. Mid size and up.

Certpoint $$$-$$$$.  Another player in the space that not only fits the build of an extended enterprise but also as a multi-tenant.  Ideal for large size and up, although I’m sure they will argue that they can be in the mid size and up category.  I’m just not a fan of the hierarchy look for them, but they do offer on/off synch and a solid set of features.

Accord LMS - $$.  From a feature standpoint this platform can do it. It’s UI still needs improvement.  Small biz, SMB, mid size, B2B, Channel, TP.  Service is outstanding.

I can make you smile, if just for a little while

SuccessFactors $$$-$$$$. A true extended enterprise with a nice UI. I have some concerns about how SAP will play with them (right now they are separate, but who knows).

I dislike that the platform does not automatically include at no charge a SSO between it and SAP. Sure they offer it for a fee, but heck any LMS that interfaces with SAP offers the same option for a fee.  Works in the B2B, B2C, Channel side. Upper mid to large – although I suspect I will receive an e-mail from them saying otherwise.

Can I say hello?

LogicBay  $$-$$$- Never heard of them? Don’t worry, I suspect you are not alone. What makes this platform so unique is that its target is more along the lines of manufacturing including logistical companies.  The UI needs some major tweaks, but they are here because of their target market – especially from my perspective the logistical companies, including trucking.  Mid to Large, Channel.

Bottom Line

What may mean one thing to one person does not mean the same thing to another person.  That is a big issue when it comes to extended enterprise versus multi-tenant (or as some refer to it – portal/sub-portal).

It would be grand if all was equal, but not even in real life does that apply.

I wish it would.

E-Learning 24/7

An addict for games. Not just any type of game mind you, rather one that I can win at.  I readily admit to playing my Xbox 360 late into the night forgetting that I have to rise and shine early.

I admit that I tell myself that I am only going to spend an hour on my iPad playing Plague and then realize that three hours have gone by and I still haven’t decimated the planet with my new disease.

By the Numbers

If you have been calculating the points while viewing the stats you would have seen:

• Gamification market will reach 2.8 Billion dollars by 2016 (M2 Research)
• 70% of the Global 2000 will have at least one gamified application by 2014 (Gartner)
• 53% believe that by 2020, gamification will be wide spread (Pew Research Center, based on those surveyed)

You also have probably read (not sure if you received any points) that gamification is the next big thing in e-learning.  

I’m here to tell you that what you are hearing isn’t wrong, it’s just plain misleading.

Gamification – What some say it is – isn’t what others claim it is

Take a look at the following:

It says, “This is not a pipe”.  You say, “wait it is a pipe”.  But it isn’t (if you know what it is, place it in the comments section).

So, how does this apply to gamification?

It applies because the term itself can be easily misconstrued by others.

Some people define gamification in the e-learning space as games themselves – sim games for tests, or games for learning.  Others define gamification in relation to online gaming, like World of Warcraft – which is accurate – this is why some of the numbers above are misleading. 

Because what they are not saying is that gamification in e-learning will be billions of dollars by 2020.

Not at all.

But that doesn’t mean gamification cannot exist nor work, effectively – on the contrary – it can.

Incentive Points = Learning

I recall a few years back talking to a vendor whose product included incentive points for their learners.  They told me that their clients (customers) were stating that they were seeing a huge uptick in learners completing courses and thus achieving more incentive points (which led to them winning gift cards).

The clients who told them that had wrongly assumed that by the learners completing the course or task, were actually learning and retaining information.

While I am sure some folks were, the majority I surmise were not.

That is because I believe – just based on human nature – that people realized that the more points they received, the faster to the goal of winning whatever and thus it was all about the points and not the content.

If I had to go through a course in two weeks to receive 25 points and I needed 100 points to get a prize – then I am going to zip through to get those points.  How much will I retain is another matter. 

Especially if the objective is tied to completing via a linear method – which sort of defeats the purpose of WBT to begin with – i.e. a non-linear approach.

If I have to read 10 comments by my fellow learners to get 50 points and it is again tied to a tangible incentive – guess what? I’m reading – but more likely I’m skimming.  Sure, some people won’t do it, but overall depending on what do they win – if it is good – then they will do it.    If I have a competitive nature to begin with and work for example in sales, where incentives come into play in general, what do you think I will do?

We don’t need no stinking badges 

Gamification can be effective is used properly, but it has to go beyond just a leader board and has to go beyond just accruing points for the sake of badges.

Badges are great in various social media, but getting a badge because you completed five tasks and completed two courses in less than a week, is not.

There has to be a real gain and benefit to the learner, the training/learning department/division and the company itself.

Even in education there has to be real value – real attainment to a learning goal or objective.

I’d rather have a learner understand and synthesize the information and validate it in a real life course scenario to accrue the points than just have them zip through a course to do so.

Even those who tie the “points” to an assessment are missing the point. An assessment or test is not fun.  Gamification in learning must be fun and must be applicable to real world (especially in adults).

If you offer neither than your points and point totals are as useful as those crummy toys you would get at a carnival. 

What motivates me, may not motivate you

Let me be clear on this – I think gamification can rock and I am a huge believer in incentives tied to learning, especially in education/academia. However, I am not a believer that everyone sees it the same way when it comes to incentives.  The reason your gamification may not be achieving the ideal results you are seeking, could be:

• Everyone has different motivators – some people are motivated by tangible items, some by money, some by praise
• A motivator is tied to an incentive. If I am motivated by tangible items (excluding your company’s coffee mug) or money – then I am more likely to complete the tasks/courses/social things required to achieve so
• If I am not an “A” personality or do not see the value and benefit of the whole gamification, then I won’t be involved

Even if I am forced (also known as mandatory) to do the gamification components, I won’t retain the information because I don’t want to – it easily can become a game 0f how to not do things.

But if I am either a highly competitive person or the company has instilled a competitive atmosphere – you can guarantee that people will maximize the gamification of the platform.  

The total score though is whether I have actually learned is the information itself or just getting the points for being active and fast.

Fun

Having a LMS or learning platform that has some form or massive amounts of gamification just won’t cut it.  You have to make it fun.

For whatever reason, I see a lot of platforms that are not “fun” when it comes to gamification capabilities.  Partially it is tied to the client who is setting up the courses, tasks, etc., and part of it is the LMS.

If you play any type of game – whether it is online or not, you do it to have fun.  So why would you think someone wouldn’t want the same experience?

One LMS platform that is heavily geared towards gamification is Growth Engineering.  Heck they even call it a gamification LMS. 

Another LMS that has a nice set of gamification is Wisetail.  Wisetail pitches themselves as a learning ecosystem, but it is a LMS (it has one major problem: no e-commerce – if you are wondering).  

It’s UI is super slick and immediately says, “look at me, I’m fun to use and best of all, I have gamification that can engaging”.

Bottom Line

Gamification is coming. But it is not going to be an immediate blockbuster because it still has some bugs to solve.

And everyone knows that a game with bugs in it, is no fun at all.

E-Learning 24/7

Your platform is not working.  I found some bugs here and they are not the crawly kind.  My issue is important and your tech people have not responded.  I ordered a hamburger without cheese, got home and it has cheese on it. (I was just seeing if you were paying attention. But is it me or do you often get ripped off going drive-thru?)

Complaints – Legitimate Gripes

As someone who has had the wonderful experience of buying (leasing) a LMS and the issues that arose beyond that, I can tell you that I feel your pain.  There is nothing worse that spending the money, selecting the system, implement it, then it runs into problems and your end users – blame you.

You buzz the assigned project manager or tech support person and listen to the whole “we hear you” and get back to you verbiage. Then you wait and wait some more. In 30 minutes you have had it – “It must be three hours now. Why are they not calling back? Don’t they realize that people are complaining?”

Next you call your salesperson and chew them out like a piece of meat that has too much grizzle.  You want and expect results or there will be hell to pay.

They listen. They will solve it.  They hang up.  Then they do one of four things:

• Call tech support and see what is going on
• Write it on a piece of paper and say to themselves, I will e-mail/call support later
• Do nothing
• E-mail support and hope someone responds

Meanwhile you are quite content and say to yourself, “I showed them”.  Right.

#5  Salesperson says one thing then fails to back it up

I hear this complaint all the time from end users.  As a complaint goes it is always in the top ten of gripes. What makes me sick to my stomach (or maybe it was that chili) is that this gripe has been around since LMSs arrived on the scene.

Now there are plenty of salespeople who are honest, and truthful, but it only takes a small group of nefarious humans to ruin for everyone else.

If you think “nefarious” is too strong of a word, trust me, if this happens to you, the term will be rated G compared to what comes out of your mouth.

What drives this approach?

I see two factors:

• Person really doesn’t know the product inside and out and so they tell you want you want to hear. “Yep, our system works all the time with Oracle.” Then you find out that they have to heavily customize it – charge extra – and the interface is buggy
• Person is all about sales and not about you. I know of some highly seasoned salespeople that do this frequently to potential clients

#4  Demo Dupe

I seriously believe the song “I never promised you a rose garden” was written by someone who once worked at a LMS company.  The demo switcheroo is a big time gripe.  It follows a similar style

• You see an amazing demo with all the bells and whistles
• You hear the tell, you are drooling
• You buy the LMS
• It doesn’t come with everything you saw in the demo
• You are mad
• The salesperson says, “Oh, didn’t I tell you that” OR “Yes, I mentioned that in our call” – of course you remember they didn’t

#3  The system costs more than what they quoted me

I always remind people to have their pricing itemized with each factor listed – (i.e. 1,000 seats, 500 active per month – $20,000), tech support 9 to 5 EST (free – included at no charge), 20 project management hours (no charge), webinar training ($500 for three sessions), an autograph by the CEO (priceless – no I’m just kidding).

However, I have seen quotes that drop everything together including the discount OR itemize some items and not others  OR some itemization and some stuff written within a paragraph – which people often skim.   One of the zingers that appear frequently is the API angle.

You ask if they can integrate your APIs (on whatever). They say yes. They fail to mention that it will cost you X dollars per API and it will take six weeks to add one.  The latter is becoming a common gripe.   I remember seeing some pricing online by a LMS vendor and then when I got the contract it had different pricing on it.  You see they had items you needed but they did not mention it on their web site.

What items fail to appear often when people post or tell you about their pricing?  Setup costs – and they can be anywhere from inexpensive to outrageous – even for systems that are low cost.   Skinning for additional portals/tenants, etc. E-commerce – especially those who charge a yearly price.

Removing their name from the platform.  See the price doesn’t mention that it costs extra to pull their name – so when you ask for it (and you should always find out) they will pull a rabbit out of their LMS hat and tell you it costs ABC (please realize that for the majority of vendors they remove their name at no cost).

#2 Not listening

I often wonder why LMS vendors have their salespeople focus more on their qualifiers than asking the right questions first before “seeing if you are ideal for them”.  How about, “how many employees/customers will be using the system.” There are some vendors who will only deal with clients who have over 10,000 employees – so this quick qualifier will streamline the process. Or there are vendors who only work in certain industries/verticals. So, asking what is the client’s industry would take care of that.

But noooo. You have to listen to a series of qualifiers to see if you are the right fit – whatever that means. Listen, assuming that the two qualifiers above are not factors, unless you are from Planet Neptune and have 65 eyeballs you will qualify – and even in my Neptune weird creature example – you will find plenty of vendors who will take you.

I once had a boss who would say, “I know you can hear me, because I can hear my own words.”  I think this should apply to every salesperson who is pitching their product.

#1 Tech Support

• Company receives issue via e-mail, support center or phone – or any combination
• Company place the issue into its queue
• Company sends e-mail to whomever is the LMS administrator or contact person – notifying them they received the issue and are working on it
• Company using their own tech priority level – rates the issue, low, medium, high or for some clients – get it fixed now
• If it is low, you have a better chance of hearing crickets then getting it solved in a day or so – but don’t worry you may get multiple e-mails telling you it is being worked on
• If it is medium, someone is doing something about it, but it still may take a day or two to solve it
• If it is high or get it fixed now – then someone or some folks are busting their buns (it is a Rated PG site here) to solve it. They may follow up with you or your LMS administrator for more information and even have you on the call for a period of time or whatever.  Typically they follow up via the phone, your salesperson may step in and follow up too – after all you probably sent them the issue too
• If the issue takes more than a couple of days – it is likely that you have contacted tech support to complain and even talked to your salesperson. E-mails do not apply here – although what does it hurt to send one to tech support, your salesperson, the head of tech support, even the head of sales, etc.
• Issue solved.
• Then next time, you re-live the experience again

Excluding massive bugs or issues that are totally brand new to the company, tech support should be relatively quick and painless. There is a reason why some vendors have a knowledge base, community forum moderated by company employees and super users, and other – they are trying to minimize phone calls to tech support – because – it costs them money every time someone calls or sends off an e-mail to solve a problem.

Rather than hiring 45 salespeople, why not hire more than five tech support/customer support people to solve the customer’s issue? 

For clients – the only people who should contact tech support are either the LMS administrator, whoever is running training or e-learning division or a combination of both.  I’ve actually heard horror stories where the customer allows anyone to call their vendor’s tech support.

This should never happen.  Also, there are plenty of times when the tech issue is due to the client and not the vendor. 

For example, I recall a few folks telling me that their system didn’t work with Windows 2000 (yep, they had it on their computers and it was a large size public company). The LMS didn’t support it.

I remember asking them if they asked the vendor if it worked with Windows 2000 – guess what? They didn’t.

Bonus: Sales Training – What is it good for? Absolutely everything, say it again!

I am always stunned at the number of vendors who provide ZERO sales training for their staff.  Not only that, they never listen in to sales calls to see if their salespeople are doing it correctly and following the VP of sales approach or some type of script or process.

Now since the e-learning industry’s core is tied to training, you would think that having sales training would be a requirement.

Bottom Line

There are hundreds of books out there on how to resolve customer complaints. Hundreds of videos, even a ton of them on YouTube. Books written on the subject of listening, effective tech support, sales training, sales support and service and great customer service.

You can surf the net and find all these topics and more readily available and free.  Rather than do nothing, do something.

It requires the LMS vendor to fix what is not working.

The problem though is they don’t see it as an issue.

They see it as yours.

E-Learning 24/7

Perhaps you see it as an extension to an already in place, ILT (instructor led training) program. Or as an extension to classes at your school or university.  Maybe you see it as a component within a blended learning environment.

But what if it was more than that.  Much more.

One stop shop

Offers a multitude of services to customers. Typically is a location or business.

Walmart Way

• One stop shop – containing everything you need
• Some Walmarts include groceries and auto services – including oil changes and alike
• Net sales of 466.1 billion (Walmart, end of fiscal year ending in January 2013)
• Amazon.com 13.18 billion dollars in revenue – Q3 2012 (Engadget, 2012)

Whether you like Walmart or not, it changed the retail landscape forever. As a result, numerous businesses started to copy its format. The biggest is Amazon.

So why am I telling you this? Because the one stop shops are now appearing in learning management systems, for the better.

The new LMS

If you are taking a deep look around the LMS market you may be hearing a new buzz word, “ecosystem”.  Some LMS vendors have used the term in the past because they themselves saw their platform as a one stop shop.  They probably offered you the ability to buy courses through them eliminating the need to go directly to the 3rd party vendor.

They also may have offered the ability to create courses for you, at a fee.

The problem though is that what was available in the past, no longer applies today.

Why? 

Because in today’s global market (not just with e-learning), the expectations of consumers has changed.

If they have a smartphone or tablet- they have downloaded apps.  If they are taking college type courses online for free, they are likely to be visiting a MOOC.

If they want to take courses on how to learn software or business or whatever, they may be watching videos on YouTube – for free or paying a fee to use such sites as Lynda.com.

If they desire to take courses through a marketplace or exchange they might be going to Open Sesame which offers the ability to buy and download courses – to use in any LMS.

Maybe they found a LMS that included social and performance management (assuming that is what they wanted).  Perhaps they wanted a human capital management platform containing various sub-systems including learning, performance, compensation, etc.

Or they decided to implement an ERP and interface it with a LMS.

Without realizing it, consumers (end users) were pursing one stop shops through e-learning.

The problem though is that none of the above constitutes a true ecosystem – a complete package wrapped into a system.

Ecosystems the LMS Way

I loved the term that vendors started to push in 2012 and continue to do so in 2013 – “scalability”.  It makes me laugh. What they are trying to do is to offer an alternative to an open source platform which allows unlimited users.   They assume that you will go “hey, I could have had a V-8 and a LMS that enables me to have unlimited users and all the features I want.”

The spin of course is that the open source platform you would download – and yes, it isn’t free after you customize the whole thing, can provide something that is only for you – designed the way you want and include only the features you want.  I know what you are thinking – I have created my own ecosystem – my own Frankenstein.

Yes it’s a monster, but it is not truly an Ecosystem

Right now you are saying to yourselves, “he keeps mentioning this ecosystem, but he hasn’t told me what it actually is and it is bothering me.” I hear you. No, I really hear you – telepathically.

My definition of an Ecosystem

For me a true LMS ecosystem consists of the following – all of it – not just pieces:

• One click – they select it and it zings right into their platform – they can also remove it with one click
• Courses included into the system at no cost – more than five – ideally more than twenty
• Apps, add-ons, plug-ins or whatever terminology you want to use – the customer simply clicks what they want and whalla it goes into the platform – think ala carte without the hassle
• A store or exchange – could contain not just the company free apps but also apps from other end users either for free or fee (the end user sets the price)
• Within the store or exchange or perhaps they call it a marketplace – 3rd party apps/add-ons/plug-ins can be installed for free or purchased through a 3rd party – but again.. you do it there – and one click install.  Examples of the freebies would be perhaps the standard ones such as Skype, Slideshare, Evernote or less common ones such as MailChimp, 280 Slides, GradeGuru, EyeJot, Palbee
• From the fee perspective – add-ons, apps or plugins could include Salesforce.com, Zendesk, Freshbooks, Echosign, Nimble
• Course marketplace – LMS vendor offers courses from 3rd party vendors – you buy it auto installs, also end users can create their own courses to use within the system – either offer for free or fee based – one click install
• M-Learning – native app, online/offline synchronization – supports HTML5
• Social Learning – you can tie this back into the apps – that is how I would do it
• Pre set list of APIs – again can be done numerous ways, and with some directories on the net having more than 1,000 of these things – you can get them and be ready to rock n roll
• Features that already exist – event management, e-commerce and alike – again, the features that are already in place are there because it is a LMS. If you want to go more robust with your event management take a look at Cvent

I don’t see the performance/talent management and some functions of a human capital management as part of an ecosystem – because it is not universal. A lot of people do not want it – and even though it could be turned on or off, it often is an additional cost for each module.  If you want to include it at no charge within your platform – and end users can turn on/off or one click then it is doable.  But from my perspective it does not make this a true ecosystem.

What is great about the apps and add-ons is that you can offer a CRM, web conferencing tool, video messaging, etc. – that people can select from and one click into their system.  You do not have to include it, and as a complete ecosystem – it is customized to the client’s choice. If they want to remove the app, they simply click out or delete it (however you set this up).   If they want to add more – they can.

Where’s the App?

Here are a few places to check out apps, add-ons, extras, etc. – that any vendor could put into place if they wanted to, and yes, if you want to use them on your own, you can certainly do that.  These are my favorite sites.

• Go2Web20
• Zapier - they offer a free package but also fee based. Oh, you can create your own Zaps – apps
• Discovery Education Web 2.0 apps
• Appappeal - over 3,000 apps
• Wibiya

Bottom Line

 People want choices, they want simplicity, they want easy – which offers them the ability to do it themselves and  they want a one stop shop. 

If you think about it, Walmart and Amazon offer the exact same things.

The difference is that they are not a LMS ecosystem.

But you should be.

E-Learning 24/7

Next to going to the dentist, a LMS committee often falls a close second, especially when a cavity is found and drilling is immediate.

Meetings, Meetings

I once worked at a company that had a massive amount of meetings. One day the CEO sent out a memo stating that there were too many meetings and we had to cut down the meetings to the minimum. You know where this is going..

Yep, more meetings!

In this age of lots of meetings the last thing you want to be on is a meeting to find a LMS. Now some people will see it as an honor, similar to being on a steering committee to implement a new ERP, but trust me it is not the same thing.

Committee Size

The most important component of a committee is having the right number of folks. Research has shown that the appropriate size of any committee should not exceed five people. Invariably though it expands faster than the Hindenburg did when they pumped in hydrogen.

It may start with a simple seven but before you know it, the size now is similar to the starting lineup of a football team. Here is how this gets out of hand quickly:

Whoever is on the committee decides that Jim needs to be on it, because Jim is in legal and legal is a must (actually its not). Then, someone on the committee decides that Sue who is on the senior management team has to be on it, because if she isn’t she will get real upset, so let’s just stick here on it – to appease her.

But wait! Chris who runs IT and is on the initial committee wants to add Julie who is on the networking team and is number three in IT. Her job is really to write down everything, say virtually nothing and report back to Chris who will attend a few meetings then disappear.

The sad part is that Chris is a key stakeholder who you will need after you launch the system.

But wait, there is more. The VP of HR or whoever runs it, decides that Lisa who is the HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) manager and oversees the ERP product for HR, needs to be there.

Lisa could be an important team member, much more so than the VP of HR, who often mucks it up – because they have zero idea on what it is or why it is needed, but has an ego complex and G-D forbid you leave them out.

Oh did I mention that when you need the VP of HR for employee data they will often assign it to someone else in their department, since they are too busy running day to day operations and attending meetings.

Whew.

Cast of Characters

The bonus of this who entourage of folks will be once the system is implemented – deployed they will disappear and be silent, until something goes wrong and whalla they come out of the woodwork. The only people who really are relevant – because of the system – if you selected the right one – are the following:

• Whoever runs training/learning – this might be you or it might be someone else and you have an e-learning department – so it comes back to you. Basically it is you!
• Head of IT or someone they assign who can get things done in an orderly fashion when you need it. This might entail updating the computers to support the latest version of Flash, working with the other business units to ensure that the computers can access the net in a speed that is faster than a modem (from your company) and depending on their role – send the file containing employees data that sits on a server somewhere at the company. This person or whomever they assign will become your best friend – so never (excuse my language) piss them off.

Also, it is important to keep the head of IT in your back pocket because as many of us know, having an IT person at your beckoned call – never happens and because they are doing other things, and time is essential – you may need to reach out to the head of IT for assistance.

• HR person who will be able to provide who is new to the company – employees and who has left. This often involves a database where this information is kept. The HR person lets you know – I always did it every two weeks – so that you can contact IT to send the file. Some companies enable the HR person to pull the info and send the file directly, but that is a rarity.
• HRIS person – if applicable. This occurs if there is an issue with the interface of the ERP to the LMS (if applicable). Some companies do not interface for whatever reason, others do. Again, this is just someone to have in your back pocket- you may never use them. Also if your company does not have an ERP, then you can ignore this point.
• Whoever is in charge of training. At some the companies I worked out – and the size of the companies varied from small to super large – I often reported directly to the COO or even the CEO. Most of the time they didn’t need updates and the only time I would ask for assistance was if some other department heads or VPs were backing away from what they said they do – on whatever.
• Sometimes the hammer works best coming from the top of the food chain. Plus, no one is going to tell the COO or CEO that they will not do it.

There were only two companies that I reported to the division head or a VP and even then, I only needed to provide them monthly updates.

Committee members who will slow down the process

Anyone who has ever been on a LMS committee or a committee dealing with technology, will quickly realize that some members are clueless when it comes to technology. SaaS? Hosted in the cloud? Whatever the product you are including that has tech in it.

End users? Flash? Internet Explorer – don’t laugh, I once had a VP who didn’t realize that the IE on their desktop meant Internet Explorer.

When this happens expect spending more time on how the LMS will make things better and why. Sometimes you have to talk to them as though they are five year olds (I mean in simple terms, not in “this is a ball”).

This is why I never use the term learning management system, except the first time. I call it online university or online community with courses or whatever.

After you explain a LMS including its terminology and methodology you will see people with the deer in the headlights look or doodling and not paying attention.

I always have a detailed flowchart with pictures on it – relating to something that everyone uses or has. Example: I have done the ol Satellite tv – with the programming coming from the sky onto your TV or the box it uses, etc.

Remember that adults have to see WIFM – what’s in it for me, and if not they won’t grasp it.

Sometimes I tied the LMS benefits and I always included them – the pros that is – as part of my information. Why give the naysayers something they can hang their feet on?

Disruptor

When people don’t know they tend to include such things that will drag the committee into directions you do not want it to go. These disruptors include:

• IT person who will ask about the servers, bandwidth, security, etc. Even though they will know what is SaaS (although I’m surprised on how many really do not understand it, but know the term), they will dig in their heels and ask questions that are relevant for servers on site and not online. Since many LMSs are housed on Rackspace – you can go there and pull down some info (again, being prepared), the whole what types of servers they use, what happens if it crashes, can be solved.
• The reality is that some LMSs suffer down time – even though the vendor says it won’t. Bugs do arise and more often than not, the vendor will kick it up a notch to resolve it. I can’t tell you the number of times the issue was on the client’s side and not the LMS’s side, but the vendor is often blamed. Also, when a vendor does an update they tend to do it – after hours – as in past 12 a.m.

What I always find amusing is that the IT inquiries etc., seems to be not applicable when the servers that are housed at the company go offline – and how often does that happen? A lot.

All LMS vendors have load balance – just in case your IT person wonders about it.

All vendors have secure systems to protect privacy. In the 15 plus years I have been involved in e-learning, I am unaware of one hosted in the cloud LMS that has been hacked into. Not one.

• HR – ties back into employee data and who will have access to it. Just you and your administrator or it might be just you. Again, privacy and security is crucial and LMS vendors know this as an essential requirement. Now, some clients allow various managers and whomever to get into the back end of the platform. I always said no. The moment they click something they are not supposed to – the moment their is a problem – who do you think is going to take the heat? Them or you? HR often puts in other requirements – so think ahead of the time what they may inquire or need.
• Legal – if you need compliance then make sure your system offers compliance. If you need to have a digital signature, again make sure it offers it.

User case scenarios

I’m not a fan of them because if the features are not there, the user cases are irrelevant. As noted I have been doing this for over 15 years and never used user case scenarios. If I can’t figure out on my own as the person who runs training, whether or not this will work for my employees, customers or in cases both – I shouldn’t be running training.

So why do people include these? Because they are living in the past.

If you have ever implemented an ERP, having these babies are very important, especially because an ERP is fully customized to your business processes. A LMS is done differently – so watch out for the people who think that the ERP experience and approach will be the same as a LMS, it just isn’t the case.

A LMS is a turnkey platform that may require some customization, but often it requires only minimal tweaks. An ERP which is hosted on yours servers is a very complex project. I have been involved in two ERP implementations, one of which had a budget of 250 million dollars.

Uh, you will never have anything close to that with your LMS.

Big names are better

Just not true. I know of two big dog vendors who had issues with Adobe Captivate, a year ago.

One took months to find a fix, another took nearly a year. I have also seen and heard numerous times that the ERP interface with some of the big dog LMSs does not go as smoothly as it is was pitched. Granted this is not a problem that is seen only with the big dogs, but also with various other vendor sizes.

Just remember that assuming that it never involves the big dogs, isn’t accurate.

Bottom Line

A LMS committee can be a good idea when the right people are involved and the right path is taken.

More often than not, it bogs down because the people involved often focus more on their agenda than the agenda at hand – improving the learners’ experience and skill sets.

That is why committees are often seen like root canal.

And you’re the tooth.

E-Learning 24/7

Before we jump into this game, let’s take a look at some key details.

Survey Information

We asked e-learning audiences around the world via the internet, what they were seeking in authoring tools. 507 people responded.  With each question, respondents could select as many as they wanted – since it was tied to feature sets.

Craig – are you ready to enter the final round of Authoring tools survey? “Yes, bring it on ghost of Richard Dawson.”

Question 1

What features would you like to see in an authoring tool?  Respondents could answer, “Nice to have”, “Required”, “Not interested” and “Don’t Know”.

“Spirit of Richard, here are the answers” - we will now be switching to Craig’s data and his responses.  Please refrain from cheering, comments or clapping.

End users spoke loud and clear on what feature sets they want when it comes to authoring tools.  When I say want, I mean they see it as a must requirement.

Here are the top five feature sets that are required

• 83% said Layers, Actions and Triggers
• 83% said Output to HTML5
• 62% said Spell Checker
• 54% said PowerPoint add-in
• 52% said Audio editor

What it means

Considering that the 41% of respondents had three or less years of experience in building online courses, I think it says a lot.  The days of just PowerPoint to Flash and simplicity are no longer cutting it.  When you toss in 19% who have four to six years, the numbers really come into play.

Most people would assume that the 50% of five or more years (26% who had more than 10 years) would be the drivers behind the need for layers, actions and triggers and I would partially agree. But the success of products such as dominKnow and Articulate Storyline are proving there is a demand beyond e-learning developers.  

I also found the HTML5 numbers to fully back what I have been saying for the past year.  For those authoring tool vendors who still think this is just a passing fad or are using the wait and see approach – if this data doesn’t punch you in the gut to get moving – nothing will.

Just as people on the LMS side are seeking on/off synch than ever before, the ability to output to HTML5 is no longer a nice to have but a necessity. 

Let me be clear, these folks are not saying just have the ability to see it in a browser, they are saying – we want to publish to tablets that support HTML5 – which numbers into the hundreds.

Spell checker seems like a no-brainer and yet it continues to be a feature that is lacking in a significant number of authoring tools. Why? Good question.

I guess they assume everyone knows how to spell cymotrichous (listed as the #1 hardest word to spell in the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee).   In case you are wondering what were a few others listed in “required” they are:

• 45% – Advanced simulation tools
• 44% – Image editor
• 34% – Avatars/visual actors

Under “Nice to have” the top were

• 63% – Ability to auto synch voice to avatar’s lips
• 55% – Ability to add video from a mobile device
• 55% – Video editor
• 52% – Avatars/Visual actors
• 52% – Advanced simulation tools
• 52% – Grammar checker

What I found interesting was “image editor” received both 44% as “nice to have” and 44% as “required”.   If you combine “nice to have” and “required” in a top five:

• 100% – Layers, Triggers and Actions – please note that people could select as many choices as they wanted – but still – very interesting!
• 97% – Advanced simulation tools
• 95% – Output to HTML5
• 91% – Video editor
• 90% – Audio editor

What scored as the number one, “Not Interested” – Grammar checker with 23% and “Don’t Know” – PowerPoint add-in.  I’m not surprised about the “video editor” because video is all the rage.  Makes perfect sense.

Question 2

Which of the following would you like to see in the next two years? (Select all that are applicable)

The top five

• 86% – Advanced authoring tool for instructional designers/developers
• 71% – Integrate with other tools/products (example: Dropbox, etc.)
• 62% – A video authoring tool (i.e. you build an entire course in video, then edit, etc.)
• 52% – Ability for learners to instantly change language within the course  – I’m not talking about the UI in the LMS, I’m talking about specifically the course itself
• 50% – Speech to text (i.e. you speak into your mic and the product makes the changes)
• 50% – Built-in security and privacy safeguards

I found a couple of points quite interesting. The first was ADA 508 compliance which was nearly the lowest at 29%. The other was an advanced authoring tool for instructional designers and developers.

I fully agree with the need and have stated as such in the past – i.e. there is a huge demand in the marketplace for such a product.  Rather than focusing on a screen capture product as your next big thing – focus on this audience of folks. 

Maybe I’m missing something here, but I constantly hear from e-learning developers at trade shows that there aren’t any products really geared toward them.

I’m not saying bring back Authorware – because, please don’t, rather I am saying push the “oomph” button to make the product robust and powerful enough with feature sets these people want.  If you are unsure how to do it – then crowdsource and find out. 

And the winners are

The last question offered people the ability to select the authoring tools they were interested in winning in a drawing.  The drawing is on Friday and winners will be notified after that, with instructions on what to do next. 

 I want to thank the authoring tool vendors who provided a free license to their products (of which six of the top ten in Feb. rankings were included).  I think it says something when an authoring tool vendor on the list and even a few I asked separately, go out of their way and provide a license in such a giveaway, especially when licenses to many of these tools exceeds $1,200 dollars. 

Bottom Line

And now.. back to the ghost of Richard Dawson

Hey sports fans, I’m back. Sorry I won’t be kissing anyone, those days are long gone.  I want to thank you for reading in on the latest authoring tool survey data. It has been an exciting match. 

Congrats to the potential winners in the authoring tool giveaway. I’m rooting for each and every one of you.

See you next time on Authoring Tool Survey.  “Clap, Clap, Clap”

E-Learning 24/7

For my forecasts, the magic 8 ball does not apply. Nor does looking into a crystal ball speaking mumbo jumbo and watching it cloud up and show the future.

Nope, it is based on studying the market and analyzing it.

Fortune Forecast Cookies

Have you ever opened up a fortune cookie and said to yourself, “How did it know that about me?” or hold onto that magic strip of paper and place it in your wallet or purse for safekeeping?

Well if you did, then here are some forecasting fortune cookies you should save for a rainy day or honestly, right now.

Pan, Zoom and Pan again

This feature is showing up all over the place. From an interaction (listed as interactivity) to a feature within the product.  Because the industry as a whole is a lemming, I expect more vendors to come on board.

HTML5 output

I am still stunned that this is slogging away. Right now I am doing a survey on authoring tools (more on this at the end of the post) and so far 100% of all respondents state that HTML5 output is required in an authoring tool.  I do believe that HTML5 output will continue to grow as an authoring tool feature.  It is time to realize that Flash output just isn’t enough anymore for folks.

Layers, Triggers and Actions

If you are an e-learning developer or instructional designer this has always been a favorite feature of authoring tools. The problem has been (in the past) that the rapid content authoring tools have avoided adding it as a component.  Not anymore.

In just the past month, I have seen quite a few vendors add this capability in their product – and for the most part they are all RCAT products. The numbers clearly indicate that is on the fast track for real growth in the coming year. 

If you are an Authorware fanatic missing the old days, you are still going to miss it – because while these capabilities are being added to tools they are still not at the level of Authorware.  I for one, like that because it has run its course (look a pun!).

Audio Editing

Another feature on the rise. The problem though is it is extremely basic. How basic? Audacity which is free – destroys it.  How hard is it to offer such a capability within your product? Hmm..not much.

Interactivity (Interactions)

While it is true they have been around a long time – what is making this different – are the number that come with the tool, especially with cool capabilities.  It is as if someone finally turned on the light bulb and said to themselves, “Sheesh, why should we give Raptivity the entire market for interactivity templates.”

How many interactions am I talking about? Well some vendors have more than 15 come with their product. Others have at least 10.  So what is missing? HTML5 templates.  Anyway, I expect this number i.e. number of vendors to offer more than 10 interactive templates to rise.  And I’m sorry a FAQ or glossary interaction is not what I had in mind.

Speaking of templates…

Uber number of templates

The days of giving five or 10 are sooo gone.  Nowadays I am seeing vendors offer 15, 17, 25 and even 30 templates. Each can be customized – to a degree.  Templates have been around for decades and often look like the ones you get with PowerPoint – which are lame.  These new ones can go from lame to snazzy and snazzy is ideal.

Screen capture and recording

You would think this has always been a standard with authoring tool products – but you would be wrong.  Thankfully that is also changing.  More and more authoring tool vendors are offering a screen capture and recording feature and again, it makes 100% sense. 

Why allow TechSmith or someone else to have the market for screen capture/recording when you can have one that does at least the same thing, if not more.

I expect to see this to be another growth feature.

Video recording, web cam recording

Adding video via YouTube or mp4 or Quicktime or whatever has been in place for a long time.  What is new – ability to record your web cam or add video from a third party device – DV camera or even – shall I say it – mobile device.

Some vendors who are doing the web cam record include it with the screen capture and record, others are incorporating a more robust video record capability – including HD.

The leaders in the video recording via a DV camera or mobile device – smartphone and tablet are the video learning platform providers. But don’t assume that their video authoring product is only to be used with their platform – no sir-re, you can use it with your own LMS (you just have to purchase it separately).

Wake UP! Slow growth mode alert..Slow mode growth alert

Here are some features that are in super slow mode – but shouldn’t be.

Gamification

Right now you are probably saying – what is he talking about – my authoring tool offers this and so do plenty of others. True, but what they are calling gamification is not gamification. 

Some gamification that hits the “Gee Whiz.. that sounds swell” rankings

• One vendor has a gaming raceway for quizzes. Oh boy! I remember pushing my pen around my paper in junior high creating a race game too.  Now I realize I needed to add a quiz to it. 
• Another vendor includes a FAQ under gamification – why not give everyone a free rock with that?
• A few vendors include game templates – Yipee! Nothing says fun like templates of static images. Me first!

Video editing

Seems like a natural fit, right? Especially when they are offering video recording. But noooo. 

There are only a small handful of vendors including video editing. I don’t care if it is only three tracks and basic, include it.  Bonus points if you make it more robust – if you can find one that is free that is quite robust – you can have it in your product. 

Scenario Builders with your own voice and text

Just the other day I saw a really cool scenario builder that came with a bunch of avatars and had a voice playing. You could also change the text. But what it lacked was the ability for you to upload your own voice.  It also lacked the ability to customize your avatars or upload your own face and customize your avatars.

There are some vendors who offer the scenario builder and the ability to add your own voice.  However the ability to do everything I just mentioned above is extremely limited.  I guess that is why I loved Go! Animate, but it is just a piece you can put into your authoring tool as a mp4 or some other format – which I forgot.

Back in the early 2000′s I remember offering my end users avatars with our learning platform. People loved them and then to no surprise, wanted to have their own faces on the avatar bodies. 

How many people today want the same thing? I’ll give you a hint – more than a bag of candy.

Thinking out of the box

There are plenty of vendors who are doing this – but here is just a short sample of those who are offering components that should become a staple in authoring tools as a whole.  With the exception of two features, the rest of these are in growth mode but not enough to cause a run on red soda.

• Storyboards – this is a staple to any instructional designer or e-learning developer – yet is rarely seen in authoring tools in today’s market – “exception  – extremely rare”
• Spell checker – should be an automatic feature – it isn’t – small number, I expect solid growth
• Image editing – several vendors are offering this – I expect more to follow suit – but not huge numbers by the end of 2013
• Speech to text and vice versa – small growth. The text to speech has a better chance at solid growth
• Action script programming, HTML extensions and other advanced feature sets targeting e-learning developers. Miniscule growth – despite a real demand more advanced feature sets for e-learning developers and instructional designers

Bottom Line

At one time you needed the Oracle to tell you where the future was heading.  Thankfully we have other options. 

But if you still believe in crystal balls and alike than I recommend visiting the magic 8 ball.

And let me know what it says.

Bonus note: I have a survey on authoring tool features that will be used for a blog post in April.

Please answer the four questions and you will be eligible to win one free license from a variety of authoring tool vendors that were listed on my top 20 rankings for Feb. One of the questions will ask you which  of the authoring tools you would be interested in winning.

Six of the top 10 are available including dominKnow, Articulate Storyline and ZebraZapps. The last authoring tool survey I conducted last year made a huge impact in the feature sets you currently see today in many authoring products. This is the best time to let the industry know what you want to see going forward.

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