Learning Content Management Systems (LCMSs)

While LMSs manage learners and record keeping, LCMSs manage the content of courses.  Typically, course content is stored as learning objects in a learning object repository database.  The objects are described and tagged so these objects can be recalled and reused by the same course designers and others.

Because many LMSs are taking on the features of LCMSs and vice-versa, there is a duplication of vendors on this list with the previous list.  Some companies which offer both make a distinction between them and name them separately; some don’t.

Most LCMSs offer course authoring capability and many offer at least modest LMS capability as well.

Some education oriented systems call themselves LCMSs.  Because their primary function is the creation and delivery of content, this is quite understandable.  I prefer to call them education LMSs and have them in a separate category.  They are also known as Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) and as Course Management Systems (but this can be confused with content management systems (CMS).

The term CMS (Content Management System) is usually used to refer to a system to manage content on a website.  LCMSs are specialized CMSs which are specifically designed to manage learning content.

1.       ACS Learning Content Management System (Affiliated Computer Services, Inc.) http://www.intellinex.com. Formerly known as Intellinex.

2.       Agile.Net The Thinking Cap Campus + Studio (Agile.Net Inc) http://www.thinkingcap.info XML based LMS + authoring with Studio from a “Collection Library”.  Based in Toronto

3.       Any-3 iPerformance (Any-3 Ltd.) http://www.any-3.com Based in UK.

4.       Atlantic Link Knowledge Point (Atlantic Link Limited) http://www.atlantic-link.co.uk/home_knowledgepoint.htm UK based.  Described as a combined learning and content management system.  They also offer what they call Intelligent Content Management System http://www.atlantic-link.co.uk/icms.htm

5.       Assima LCMS (Assima Plc) http://www.assima.net Also offer a simulation development tool using “software cloning” and localization services. Based in UK.

6.       Aunwesha LearnITy Enterprise Suite LMS/LCMS (Aunwesha Knowledge Technologies Private Limited) http://www.aunwesha.com A suite of tools. Based in India.

7.       Blackboard Academic Suite (Blackboard, Inc.) http://www.blackboard.com  Primarily an education oriented system.  In 2005, they purchased WebCT which makes them the largest commercial education LMS. Blackboard patented part of its technology in 2007 and successfully sued Desire2Learn in 2008.  Blackboard and the US Patent Office should be censured and boycotted for this clearly wrong and predatory initiative.  Blackboard also purchased Angel Learning in May, 2009 shrinking the educational LMS marketplace even further.

8.       CERTPOINT Learning Content Management (CERTPOINT SYSTEMS, Inc.) http://www.certpointsystems.com/ Product includes Learning Management, Learning Content Management, Content Creation, a web portal and other tools.  Formerly called Vuepoint.

9.       Chalk Media Mobile Communication Platform (Chalk Media Corporation) http://www.chalk.com An LCMS targeting mobile platforms. Based in Vancouver, BC.  Purchased by RIM (Research in Motion) in January, 2009.

10.   Cobent Learning and Compliance Suite (Cobent Group, UK) http://www.cobent.com.

11.   Competentum.Instructor (Competentum Ltd. (Russia)) http://www.competentum.com

12.   Cornerstone OnDemand Enterprise Suite (Cornerstone OnDemand Inc.) http://www.cornerstoneondemand.com.  A full suite.

13.   Creative Logic eTrainCenter (Creative Logic Solutions) http://www.etraincenter.com.  They offer both LMS and LCMS solutions.

14.   Danware Cursum LCMS (Danware Data A/S, Denmark) http://www.netop.com/netop-809.htm

15.   Delta L Training Management System (Delta L Printing & Media Services) http://www.deltalprinting.com/ Free but limited. Also offer custom course development.

16.   Desire2Learn Learning Repository (Desire2Learn, Inc.) http://www.desire2learn.com It is part of the Desire2Learn Learning Environment - primarily an education oriented system. Includes content authoring tools.  Based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

17.   Digital Learning Virtual University Appliance (VU) (Digital Learning Management Corporation) http://www.dlmcweb.com/ A complete eLearning portal including LMS, content management, course authoring, video streaming and evaluation. Also see http://www.vusonline.com/  - a turn-key system complete with hardware.  Focus on both educational institutions and corporations.

18.   Digitec Interactive Knowledge Direct WEB (Digitec Interactive) http://www.digitecinteractive.com.  A combined LMS and LCMS.

19.   dominKnow LCMS (DominKnow, Inc.) http://www.dominknow.com Based in Ontario – formerly Galbraith Media. Includes authoring capability.

20.   e-learning WMB Open Elms (e-learning WMB) http://www.e-learningwmb.co.uk.  A content management system supplied with Open Elms open source LMS.  Includes course authoring.  Based in the UK.

21.   e2train Kallidus LCMS (e2train Limited) http://www.e2train.com

22.   EduJini Aksh (EduJini) http://www.edujinionline.com/  Based in India.

23.   EEDO ForceTen (EEDO Knowledgeware Corporation) http://www.eedo.com.  In July, 2008, EEDO merged with OutStart and now operates under the latter name.

24.   ElearningForce JoomlaLMS (Elearningforce Inc.) http://www.joomlalms.com/ Joomla is an open source website content management system.  ElearningForce has adapted it as an LMS and LCMS solution.

25.   eLogic Learning eSSential (eLogic Learning) http://www.elogiclearning.com/ 

26.   EMC Documentum Learning Services (EMC Documentum) http://www.documentum.com/  Arguably more an enterprise content management system but can also be used as an LCMS.

27.   eMisphere Lecando LCMS (eMisphere Solutions) http://www.emispheresolutions.com  Includes collaborative authoring.  Based in Quebec.

28.   ePath Learning ASAP+ (ePath Learning Inc.) http://www.epathlearning.com/tools/lcms.html

29.   ExpressTrain Transformation Suite (Princeton Center for Education Services, Inc.) http://www.expresstrain-ts.com/ ExpressTrain works within Microsoft Office to automatically generate and update knowledge products -- from training solutions to performance support materials to verification documentation.  It captures content in a single source for reusability.

30.   Extensis Portfolio (Extensis, Inc.) http://www.extensis.com

31.   EZ LCMS http://www.ezlcms.com (Cannot identify the company itself from the website)  Offers LMS capability, authoring and courses.

32.   FirstAlign™ Content/Document Manager (FirstAlign, a division of Biber Technologies) http://www.firstalign.com/products/products_document_mgr.html A general knowledge management product which may be used to manage learning content.

33.   Fronter Open Learning Platform (Fronter, Norway) http://fronter.info/com/.  Primarily an education LMS/LCMS.

34.   Frontline TrainingMine LMS (Frontline Data Solutions, Inc.) http://www.fldata.com/ for Oil, Gas, Chemical industries.  Also has a library/database repository for content.

35.   Gemini GeMS SWIFT (Gemini Performance Solutions) http://www.gemini.com Combines an LMS with an object repository and authoring.  Based in Calgary, Alberta.

36.   Generation21 Enterprise & Expert Edition Knowledge Manager (Generation21 Learning Systems) http://www.gen21.com/index.htm

37.   GeoLearning GeoLCMS (GeoLearning Inc.) http://www.geolearning.com/ Part of a full suite.  GeoLearning does not provide authoring tools directly but, instead partners with Articulate, Trivantis Lectora and Harbinger Raptivity.

38.   Giunti learn eXact (Giunti Interactive Labs) http://www.giuntilabs.com and  http://www.learnexact.it Italian.

39.   Handshaw Lumenix Developer (Handshaw, Inc.) http://www.handshaw.com.  Includes collaborative authoring and some LMS capability but is designed to hand off to more robust LMSs. 

40.   HarvestRoad Hive (HarvestRoad (Australia)) http://www.harvestroad.com/ A complete Content Management System which can be used as an LCMS.

41.   Hyperwave eLearning Suite (Hyperwave Inc.) http://www.hyperwave.com They call it an LMS.

42.   i-Concept InternetWorks Studywiser (i-Concept InternetWorks BV, Netherlands) http://www.studywiser.com Includes authoring capability.

43.   idea Learning LCMS (IDEA E-Learning Solutions) http://www.ideaelearning.com/international/sayfalar/index.asp,  Based in Istanbul.  Also offer a Learning Management System, a Measurement and Evaluation System and course authoring tools.  Website is mostly in Turkish.

44.   InfoPro Learning Content Management System (InfoPro Corporation) http://learning.infoprocorp.com/

45.   Informetica Learning Content Management System (Senecia Canada Ltd.) http://www.informetica.com.  Although it calls itself a Learning Content Management System it is both that and a full LMS with an emphasis on safety management.  Based in Toronto, Ontario.

46.   Instancy Learning Content Management System (Instancy, Inc.) http://www.instancy.com Provide a full suite of tools including LMS, authoring, knowledge management, communities, and integration of Web 2.0 tools.

47.   Intelladon Enterprise Content Platform (Intelladon Corporation) http://www.intelladon.com  

48.   Intrallect IntraLibrary (Intrallect Limited) http://www.intrallect.com/ They call it a Learning Object Repository which is a key component of an LCMS but not all of it so this may not be a full LCMS.

49.   Kaleidoscope Encompass E-Learning Toolkit (Kaleidoscope Learning) http://www.kaleidolearning.com Includes authoring capability.

50.   Knovada Knowledge Systems LCMS (Knovada) http://www.knovada.com

51.   Knowledge Management Solutions KMx Enterprise (Knowledge Management Solutions Inc.)  http://www.kmsi.us/services.htm part of a full suite.

52.   Krawler LCMS (Krawler Networks) http://www.krawlerlms.com.  Includes content authoring and quiz creation tools.  Also offer an LMS, a virtual classroom and an educational customer relationship management system (CRM).  Based in India.

53.   LearnCentrix (LearnCentrix) http://www.learncentrix.com/

54.   Learn.com LearnCenter (Learn.com) http://www.learn.com a full suite.

55.   Learning.net TrellisAuthor (Learning.net) http://www.learning.net/.  Also offer TrellisManage – an LMS.

56.   link-lab hylOs (Hypermedia Learning Object System) (link-lab) http://www.link-lab.net.  Based in Germany.

57.   MEDIA 1 InteractiveLearn FRAMEWORK (Media 1 Interactive) http://www.media1.us/index.htm.  More of a custom development solution than a product.

58.   Medworxx Content Management System (Medworxx Inc.) http://www.medworxx.com.  Based in Toronto, Ontario.  Knowledge management solution for healthcare industry.

59.   mGen Trainer (mGen Inc.) http://www.mgen.com Also offer mGen Navigator and mGen Identifier.

60.   Mindflash (Mindflash Technologies Inc.) http://www.mindflash.com A collaborative authoring tool for e-learning with a portal for delivery.

61.   MindonSite Chorus (MindOnSite – Integral Coaching SA, Switzerland) http://www.mindonsite.com

62.   Mzinga Social Learning Suite (Mzinga) http://www.mzinga.com/.  Includes collaborative authoring (formerly known as Firefly) and LMS capability. In Nov. 2007 Knowledge Planet merged with Shared Insights and became Mzinga.

63.   OnDemand Knowledge Pathways (OnDemand Software, a division of Global Knowledge) http://www.ondemandgk.com/

64.   Online Courseware Factory iPerformance (Online Courseware Factory Ltd.) http://www.courseware-factory.com/index.htm UK.

65.   OnPoint Learning & Performance Suite™ (OPLS) (OnPoint Digital Inc.) http://www.onpointdigital.com LMS/LCMS which includes Course Manager and Performance Manager.

66.   Open Text Livelink ECM Eloquent Media Server (Open Text Corporation) http://www.opentext.com An enterprise Content Management System which can also serve as an LCMS.  Based in Waterloo, Ontario.

67.   Outstart Evolution (Outstart) http://www.outstart.com Also offer Studio as a lighter LCMS.  TrainingEdge.com is an SaaS offering which includes LMS, LCMS and Social Learning.  In July, 2008, OutStart merged with EEDO and now operates under the OutStart name.

68.   Percepsys SNAP! STUDIO (Percepsys Inc.) http://www.percepsys.com Based in Toronto.  Arguably just an authoring tool with a database back-up.

69.   Phasient SimCast (Phasient Learning Technologies) http://www.phasient.com/simcast.html Also offer an authoring tool called SimBuilder.

70.   Plateau TeamContent LCMS (Plateau Systems) http://www.plateau.com/ They emphasize high-end large enterprise applications.  A full suite of products.

71.   QMIND (QMind, Inc. )  http://www.qmind.com Not quite an authoring system, not quite a content management system, QMIND is an "eLearning design collaboration platform."

72.   Saba Content Management (Saba)  http://www.saba.com.  A full suite of products.

73.   SAP Learning Solution (SAP America)  http://www.sap.com

74.   SilkRoad GreenLight Learning Management System.  (SilkRoad technology inc) http://www.silkroad.com.  The LMS is part of a complete talent management system called the Life Suite.  Greenlight includes an LCMS.  SilkRoad purchased VTN Technologies in Nov. 2008 and integrated its Olé product.

75.   Strategia Ed LCMS (Strategia) http://www.strategia-ed.com Based in Montreal

76.   Suddenly Smart SmartBuilder (Suddenly Smart) http://www.suddenlysmart.com.  Collaborative authoring and content management.

77.   SumTotal TotalLCMS (SumTotal Systems) http://www.sumtotalsystems.com.  A full suite of products.

78.   Tata Interactive Systems LearningPlanet LCMS (Tata Interactive Systems) http://www.tatainteractive.com. A J2EE-based full-function LCMS.  They also offer learning object libraries with various content.

79.   TeraLearn LCMS (TeraLearn.com Inc.) http://www.teralearn.com/2004/index.html Includes LMS capability.  Also offer a virtual classroom licensed from HP.

80.   TFactor Knowledge Portal 360 (TFactor, Inc.) http://www.tfactor.com

81.   TheBrain BrainEKP (Enterprise Knowledge Platform) (TheBrain Technologies Corporation) http://www.thebrain.com/

82.   The Competence Group XMS-Suite (The Competence Group) http://www.competence.biz/english/.  A Dutch company with an all-in-one database solution.

83.   The Learning Edge EQUELLA LCMS (The Learning Edge Pty Ltd.) http://www.thelearningedge.com.au/ Australia.

84.   Time4you IBT Server (time4you Gmbh) http://www.time4you.de Based in Germany.  Also listed as an LMS.

85.   TrainingCampus.com (TrainingCampus.com)  http://trainingcampus.com  Oriented to health services industry.

86.   True Solution S_Creator Content Management System (True Solution, Serbia and Montenegro) http://truesolution.net/ Includes authoring and a product called Student Forum.  Open source.

87.   Udutu Teach and Udutu Learn (Udutu) http://www.udutu.com.  My Udutu is an update of KoolTool and LOGIC which were originally developed at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.  It takes a unique approach in that the tools allow content and course management through Facebook. Has a focus on formal education but also marketed for corporate training.  Based in Victoria, BC.

88.   ulearn Intelligent Learning Platform (umind) http://www.umindsoft.com.  This product includes an LMS, an LCMS and a unique Artificial Intelligence (AI) Virtual Tutor called Aimy.  Based in Montreal.

89.   US Department of Labor Workforce Connections (US Department of Labor) http://workforceconnect.org/ Free!

90.   Vertex Site Press (Vertex) http://www.vertex.com A general website content management system which can be used for learning.

91.   Vitalect Techniq LCMS (Vitalect Inc.) http://www.vitalect.com

92.   VTN Technologies Olé (http://www.vtn-tech.com/) Based in Edmonton, Alberta. Was acquired by SilkRoad technology inc. in Nov. 2008.

93.   Vuepoint Learning System (Vuepoint Corp.) http://www.vuepoint.com Product includes Learning Management, Learning Content Management, Content Creation, a web portal and other tools.  Now called Certpoint http://www.certpointsystems.com/

94.   WBT TopClass LCMS (WBT Systems) http://www.wbtsystems.com

95.   Websoft KnowledgeBridge LCMS (Websoft Systems Inc.)  http://www.websoft.com/products/knowledge/ 

96.   Xtention LCMS (Xtention Inc) http://www.xtention.net/.  As of April 2009, the website no longer appears to be available.

97.   XStream RapidShare Media Management Server (MMS) (XStream Software Inc.) http://www.xstreamsoftware.com/  Based in Ottawa.

98.   Xyleme Assemble-on-Demand (Xyleme) http://www.xyleme.com Formerly Novizio.

Notes:

KnowledgeNet Monsoon STUDIO KnowledgeNet was purchased by Thomson NETg.  In Oct, 2006, Skillsoft purchased NETg.  To what extent this product is still offered or supported by SkillSoft is hard to tell.

In Oct, 2006, Skillsoft purchased NETg from Thomson.

In 2008 Eedo and Outstart merged under the Outstart name.

VTN Technologies was acquired by SilkRoad technology inc. in Nov. 2008.