Hosted LMS Study Conducted by Bersin & Associates Available from GeoLearning

GeoLearning, Inc., the leading provider of ASP-hosted human capital management and development (HCMD) solutions, announced today the availability of Choosing an ASP for Your LMS on its Web site, the latest industry study from e-learning research firm Bersin & Associates. Researched and written by principal analyst Chris Howard, the paper explores the many business reasons an organization might consider an ASP (application service provider) instead of the traditional software model for their LMS deployment. The study can be downloaded from www.geolearning.com/chooseASP.

In researching the advantages of the hosted-ASP model, the Bersin paper cites shorter deployment times, improved execution and focus, reduced project risk, easier access to new technology, and lower costs. “Enterprise-wide applications such as LMSs can be deployed without installing any new technology,” says Howard. “This makes LMSs viable in cases where they may have been cost prohibitive.”

The report outlines the pros and cons of the hosted model to help buyers decide which option will best suite their needs, and also provides a series of questions to help buyers distinguish between LMS vendors that are true ASPs and vendors who only offer ASP as a side-business. “These companies [true ASPs] are differentiated from other LMS providers in that their only offering is as an ASP,” writes Howard. “So their business, technology, and operational structure is optimized for delivering learning management as a service—not a product. An example of a vendor in this category is GeoLearning.”

The Bersin research also dispels the myth that ASPs are primarily used by small and medium-sized organizations. “Our research indicates that this is not necessarily the case with LMSs,” says Howard. “Organizations of all sizes use an externally hosted option for their LMS and deployment choice has little correlation with organization size.”

The paper finds that even large organizations can and do benefit from outsourcing the business applications required to deploy, run and maintain a learning management system, including hardware, software, content integration and help desk support.

“In recent years, as companies have scaled back their fixed costs, many buyers choose to employ an ASP because they have limited resources. Training managers may not have access to the ongoing resources (e.g. IT, administrative, help desk staff) that are required to keep an LMS up and running. These organizations are in the best position to leverage an ASP.”

The ASP LMS study is part of Bersin & Associates’ What Works™ series, primary research that offers learning practitioners factual and practical insights that improve program effectiveness and results, reduce costs, and avoid time-consuming and costly mistakes.

About GeoLearning, Inc.
GeoLearning is the leading provider of ASP-hosted human capital management and development (HCMD) solutions, having been chosen by more than 350 organizations around the world to manage learning and development. The company’s GeoMaestro™ and GeoExpress™ learning management platforms offer robust registration, tracking and reporting functionality crucial for managing enterprise-wide learning, development and knowledge acquisition. With no hardware or software to install, GeoLearning’s ASP-hosted platforms can be deployed quickly, allowing clients to efficiently manage human capital development, accelerate critical business processes, and drive organizational performance. Additional information is available at www.geolearning.com.

About Bersin & Associates
Bersin & Associates is the only research and consulting firm solely focused on e-learning with a comprehensive research program targeted to the needs of learning professionals and executives. In 2001, Bersin & Associates introduced the What Worksâ„¢ series, primary research that offers learning practitioners factual and practical insight that can improve program effectiveness and results, reduce costs, and avoid time-consuming and costly mistakes. The company specializes in five research areas: blended learning, content development, LMSs and infrastructure, measurement and analytics, and planning and strategy. The company develops industry-leading research studies, assists in corporate implementations, and provides support and services to corporations and e-learning vendors. For more information visit www.bersin.com.