Digression: Allow us to introduce you to the Humboldt family. Three years ago, Mr and Mrs Humboldt received the happy news that they were expecting a baby. Along with all the joy of the new addition to the family, there was a lot to organise. Among other things, they had to buy a new car. Their 14-year-old small car had to be replaced with a larger saloon car to cope with future weekend trips and everyday family journeys.
Just four weeks after the arrival of the new addition to the family was announced, a new car arrived on the doorstep that met the family’s most important requirements: heated seats, a large boot and, of course, the ISOFIX system for attaching child seats. Three years ago, this vehicle was perfect and met all the important criteria 100%. And today? The Humboldt family now consists of five people, after the twins were born six months ago. What seemed perfect three years ago is now proving to be inadequate and no longer meets their requirements.
This is also exactly how many companies feel about their learning management systems: stable, proven, but no longer suitable due to growth or changed conditions, even though they may have only been introduced a few years ago. The desire for new features is growing – from automated reporting and flexible learning paths to advanced certifications. A targeted LMS extension is the solution to make the system fit for the future. Modern tools such as GLOBAL TEACH® Flow from Swissteach transform an existing learning platform into a dynamic, intelligent system that grows with requirements.
DOES IT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE A MAJOR PROJECT?
The good news: No! Expanding an LMS means adding additional functions to the existing system that go beyond the basic features – through plugins, add-ons or intelligent integrations with other tools. This is a real advantage over the Humboldt family. After all, you can’t just permanently turn a saloon car into an estate car. In the context of LMS, however, this is entirely possible. Extensions can be activated or adapted in a targeted manner when requirements change. This means that it is not always necessary to replace the entire system.
Unfortunately, standard solutions often reach their limits rather quickly. This is because every company learns differently:
- A pharmaceutical company needs comprehensive documentation and automated certification processes.
- An IT service provider needs adaptive learning paths for different skill levels.
Typical practical applications:
- Identify training needs: Extensions can map processes that collect and prioritise new training needs and develop them into complete training courses – from the initial idea to final approval.
- Annual planning for training courses: Extensions enable structured planning of all training measures, including resource management (trainers, rooms, catering) and documentation of evidence.
OVERVIEW OF EXPANSION OPTIONS
The market offers numerous options for expanding the functionality of an LMS. Modular systems that offer full control over data and GDPR-compliant processes are particularly popular.
Examples of expansion trends:
- AI-powered personalisation: Adaptive learning paths automatically tailor content to learning pace and prior knowledge.
- Standards such as SCORM and xAPI: These ensure the smooth integration of external content.
- Gamification & social learning: Playful elements increase motivation, while social functions promote exchange.
- Analytics modules: These provide deep insights into learning progress and skills development – a strategic advantage for L&D teams.
GT FLOW – THE INNOVATIVE LMS EXTENSION FROM SWISSTEACH
With GLOBAL TEACH® FLOW, Swissteach pursues a modular and intelligent approach to LMS enhancements. The solution integrates seamlessly into existing systems – including third-party LMSs – making every learning system more powerful.
Particular strengths and possible designs:
- Workflow automation: Recurring tasks such as course assignments or reminders run automatically in the background.
- Intelligent course management: Employees automatically receive appropriate onboarding or qualification modules, depending on their role or position.
- Advanced reporting functions: L&D managers benefit from real-time data, individually configurable dashboards and clear key performance indicators.
- Mobile-first approach: Learning works anywhere – even offline, with automatic synchronisation.
- Scalability: Whether you have 50 or 5,000 users, GT Flow grows with your organisation and its requirements.
And these are just a few of the ways in which GLOBAL TEACH® Flow can be used. There are virtually no limits to its possible applications, as the system can be connected to existing structures as required. Do you have ACCESS databases that contain information from or for the LMS and still need to be maintained manually? Then you should no longer struggle with this. Intelligent connections and workflows can make everyday life much easier for you and your team.
GLOBAL TEACH® FLOW IN ACTION
Who benefits most? GLOBAL TEACH® Flow is particularly suitable for: Medium-sized companies that want to expand their E-LEARNING in a targeted manner without introducing a completely new system. Organisations that want to optimise existing LMS infrastructures. Industries with high compliance and certification requirements, such as healthcare, finance or the pharmaceutical industry.
Practical fields of application:
- Structured onboarding of new employees
- Role-based training and development programmes
- Company-wide upskilling and qualification initiatives
- Bidirectional interfaces to all types of third-party systems
- Approval procedures for new training programmes
Collaboration across multiple departments involved in the training process.
EXPANDING YOUR LMS: THE RIGHT CRITERIA
What criteria are decisive? On what basis can you assess possible extensions to an LMS? First of all, compatibility matters: does the extension harmonise with your existing infrastructure? Which interfaces and standards are supported?
Scalability and performance are critical too. An extension that buckles under the strain of 1,000 users is not a sustainable solution. Data protection and GDPR compliance are non-negotiable – the hosting of employee and company data must be 100% secure and legally compliant.
Total cost of ownership: Look beyond licence costs. What are the costs of implementation, training and support? A transparent cost structure protects you from surprises. And: Choose a partner who continuously develops and offers competent support.
WHY SWISSTEACH?
Swissteach supports companies in making informed decisions about potentially expanding their existing LMS structure. The Impulse Centre was developed precisely for this purpose. We support companies in overcoming their individual challenges in a structured manner using science-based methodologies. It does not matter whether these challenges are strategic issues or process-oriented questions.
Key questions are answered here:
- Which processes are relevant to the learning strategy and to what extent?
- Which stakeholders need to be involved – and what are their objectives?
- What alternative approaches are conceivable?
- What costs and risks are associated with each approach?
- Which possible expansion has the greatest benefit?
- When will the company see a return on investment? And which defined KPIs can be used to measure this?
The result: a data-based, transparent basis for decision-making for sustainable LMS enhancements.
CONCLUSION: EXPANSION OF LMS AS A STRATEGIC SUCCESS FACTOR
Many people are familiar with the challenge: a functioning LMS that does not exploit its full potential. In many cases, the solution lies not in completely replacing the system itself, but in targeted expansion.
Modern learning platforms need flexible expandability. GLOBAL TEACH® Flow, an innovative solution from Swissteach, gives you exactly that flexibility. Expanding your LMS pays off in efficiency gains, higher employee satisfaction and better learning outcomes.
Would you also like to transform your LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM into a dynamic learning ecosystem? Then let’s talk about how GLOBAL TEACH® Flow can help you achieve this.
Contact us now and unlock the potential of your e-learning platform with GLOBAL TEACH® Flow!