Top 5 eLearning Platforms for Corporate Employee Training and Events

Posted by Sophia Duplin
Top 5 eLearning Platforms for Corporate Employee Training and Events | BeaconLive
11:40

Offer Employees Access to Corporate Events, Online Training, and Personal Development

 

The popularity of online education has skyrocketed over the past few years. Whether users seek basic tutorials or an online degree, there are countless eLearning platforms and employee training systems to choose from. 

 

More and more companies are turning to online learning management systems, or LMS, to provide accessible, high-quality training for their employees. 

 

However, not all LMS options are created equal. 

 

With so many eLearning platforms available, it can be challenging to figure out which one offers all-in-one solutions for your business needs. 

 

Let’s learn more about eLearning platforms, how to tell which one is right for you, and compare five LMS to see what they have to offer. 

 

A person sites at the computer researching elearning platforms

 

What is an eLearning Platform? 

Traditionally, an eLearning platform is an information system utilized by universities, corporations, and schools to teach or train their audience. 

 

Whether the topic is new eCommerce strategies or a computer science refresher, a quality LMS will allow your employees to improve their skills from anywhere. 

 

There’s no consistent definition of what features an online learning management system must have to be successful. 

 

Some eLearning platforms may function like a content management system, or CMS, that serves as a central location for learning materials. 

 

Others provide a computer-supported collaborative learning system or CSCLS, or simply a knowledge management system of tutors, students, and subject matter experts sharing knowledge.

 

Because we are focusing on the best software for corporate online training and events, an LMS should automate the tedious and boring training components while offering engaging features that participants can access from anywhere and on any iOS or Android smartphone. 

 

Choosing the right eLearning platform for your corporate training streamlines the training process for both managers and employees. 

 

Let’s look at what features you need to look out for when choosing a virtual learning management system.

Top-5-eLearning-Platforms-Infographic

Features to Look For in an LMS

With so many LMS vendors to choose from, figuring out which one offers the best features and is the most intuitive for your company can be stressful. 

 

You will need to evaluate whether the eLearning platform is suited for educational or corporate use. Corporate LMSs tend to allow for easier content management and service flexibility, with more participants allowed to join. 

 

Academic learning management systems are more rigid and can limit the number of users allowed on the platform. 

 

Here are some non-negotiable features you need to consider before choosing an eLearning platform.

 

  • Dashboard Displays Of Real-Time Views And Compliance

  • Data Collection Of Users

  • Quizzes, Questionnaires, and Surveys

  • Streamlined User Experience

  • Engaging Features Like Gamification

  • Centralized Content Catalogues And Media Libraries

  • Optimized for Remote Employees And Mobile Use 

 

Keep your industry in mind when choosing the best eLearning platform. For example, if you are a legal or healthcare organization, you will need an LMS that seamlessly integrates with the management system your company utilizes. 

 

You will also need to anticipate all the use cases you may require from an LMS. It should allow you to host corporate events, execute employee onboarding, and offer the choice between live events and on-demand content, like video lessons.

 

The Five Best Online Learning Platforms for Employee Training and Corporate Events 

Once you have identified what features are non-negotiable for a corporate eLearning platform, 

 

Here is an overview of the top five corporate eLearning platforms and what you can expect from them. 

 

eLearning Platform

What To Expect 

Works Best For

BeaconLive

All-in-one, cloud-based solutions offering integrated events, accreditation & certificates, and content catalog & media library hosting with 24/7 tech support.

Corporations looking for a customizable and fully-managed service to deliver automated continuing education, certificates, employee training, and onboarding. Can be used for both eLearning delivery and virtual corporate gatherings.

Udemy

In-depth, individual courses created by unique users.

Small to mid-sized businesses looking to help employees learn new skills without the need for course creation or an online degree.

Coursera

Global online learning platform with access to online courses and degrees.

Companies looking for university-developed training programs and learning materials.

Skillshare

An LMS dedicated to course creation by individuals with industry specializations.

Individuals looking to create courses or businesses looking for B2B training programs.

LinkedIn Learning 

A social media data-driven LMS with scalable learning programs.

Companies looking for a way to facilitate learning and personal development for their employees in an engaging way.

 

Now that you have an idea of what each LMS has to offer, let’s look at each one. 

 

1. BeaconLive


BeaconLive offers cloud-based solutions that are intuitive for both users and facilitators. The expansive LMS features allow you to provide training at every step of the employee journey, from onboarding to ongoing training. 

 

Not only does BeaconLive allow you to create extensive content catalogs and host media libraries, but you can also design online courses using webinars, webcasts, or live virtual events. This means your video lectures and multimedia content is safely stored to be accessed on-demand. 

 

You can also offer your participants accreditation tools because BeaconLive works closely with accreditation organizations to ensure the training provided can be used officially, which takes an administrative task off your already complete to-do list. 

 

BeaconLive allows for fully customizable authoring of your course content with integrated content cataloging and media hosting connecting directly to the virtual classroom. 

 

Most eLearning platforms only focus on content delivery and, occasionally, data collection. Another bonus is that Beacon Live also is fully equipped to host corporate gatherings and virtual events of all sizes. This means that you will have a one-stop location for all your company’s training and corporate event needs. 

 

Pros

Cons

  • Choose Solutions as a Package or A La Carte

  • Cloud-Based Services

  • Offers Accreditation Assistance  

  • 24/7 Tech Support 

  • Full Integration of Features 

  • Advanced Reporting and Data Collecting 

  • Mobile App Available

  • Intuitive Design 

  • No Traditional Discussion Forums

  • No Free Plan 

 

 

2. Udemy For Business 


If you’re looking for a cloud-deployed selection of courses, Udemy For Business allows users to select which courses interest them. Your employees can access Udemy from a mobile app, which will enable them to access learning resources from anywhere. 

 

Participants can create questions for the trainers through the Udemy For Business platform, which offers interaction between the trainee and trainer. 

 

For facilitators, Udemy For Business offers data and metrics on how the participants engage with the learning process. 

 

The downside is that anyone can upload a course, meaning you may have to take time sorting through multiple classes to find the right one for your business. 

 

Also, certificates issued on Udemy are not endorsed by any institution, meaning they cannot be used towards accreditation or certification if needed. You also cannot offer live meeting sessions through this platform. 

 

Pros

Cons

  • Marketplace Content Model

  • 5,000 Business Courses Available

  • Lifetime Access for Purchased Courses 

  • Relevant, Up to Date Knowledge 

  • Create Custom Courses

  • Unorganized Platform

  • Cannot Use Certificates for Accreditation 

  • No Brand Integration 

  • Category Groupings Unrefined 

  • Not All Content is High-Quality 

  • No Assessments or Surveys

 

 

3. Coursera For Business 


Coursera For Business is an open platform LMS with nearly 3,000 courses and online degrees to choose from. It allows participants to apply their knowledge to projects, earn career credentials, and showcase their skills. 

 

Coursera equips organizations with high-quality content and relevant insights to support long-term skills development. They also offer job-based learning programs for organizations and teams. 

 

Content for some key industries, like the medical field, is lacking on Coursera For Business. The features are clunky and hard to use, while the website lacks intuitive functionality that streamlines the online learning experience. 

 

Participants are limited to communicating through message boards with no alternative means of communications within the eLearning platform. 

 

Pros

Cons

  • Inexpensive and Free Courses

  • Clear Framework for Learning 

  • Goal-Directed Outcomes 

  • Videos, Tests, and Discussion Forums as Learning Tools 

  • Website Lacks Functionality

  • Lacks Content for Key Industries 

  • Features are Clunky

  • Limited Communication Tools 

  • No Live Project Possibilities 

 

4. Skillshare


Skillshare is a unique LMS because it is essentially a place for individual users to sell courses they designed for a specific training purpose. They emphasize an education movement rather than acting as a platform to sell or buy online courses. 

 

Pros

Cons

  • Free Trial Available 

  • Subscription-Based Pricing 

  • Reasonable Costs

  • Selection of High-Quality Courses 

  • Some Knowledgeable Instructors 

  • Difficult to Interpret Course Quality from Search Results 

  • Huge Variation in Teaching Styles and Course Quality 

  • Unvetted Educators

  • Limited Business Classes 

  • No Course Ownership or Customization 

 

 

5. LinkedIn Learning 


Yes, THAT LinkedIn. The social media heavy hitter launched their learning management system to meet the modern learner’s needs and help employees develop relevant skills. 

 

Using skills data from the popular professional social networking site, LinkedIn Learning offers a modern learning experience, data science-driven course recommendations, and a seamless desktop and mobile experience. They also use this data to inform the development of future online classes. 

 

While the content offered by LinkedIn Learning is highly engaging, it is still a relatively new LMS, so there is a severe limitation on course offerings. 

 

Course completion certificates are automatically added to your personal LinkedIn profile. However, these certificates are not accredited, meaning they hold any value outside of the eLearning platform. 

 

Pros

Cons

  • Certificates are Posted to Your LinkedIn Profile 

  • Downloadable Courses for Offline Viewing

  • Multiple Languages 

  • Self-Paced Learning 

  • 1 Month Free Trial 

  • Certificates are Not Accredited 

  • Limited Course Topics

  • No Online Degree Programs

 

Use Online Course Platforms for High-Quality Employee Learning Experiences

Now that we’ve examined the top five eLearning platforms for corporate training, you can see how this choice can make or break your training program. 

 

While all learning management system solutions may seem similar initially, each one comes with its unique offerings. 

 

Facilitators like you need to make sure that the eLearning platform they choose offers fully accredited courses and certificates and a variety of communication tools to keep employees engaged. 

 

If you want a straightforward LMS platform that is user-friendly and offers exciting features beyond eLearning, contact BeaconLive to learn more. 


 

Topics: Certificates, eLearning, Online Training, Training & Development, Virtual Events, Webinars & Webcasts

Go Virtual With Confidence Using Our Most Helpful Content

100 Best Practices for Better eLearning Delivery
Checkmark
Comprehensive Guide

100 Best Practices for Better eLearning Delivery

  • In order to help you improve your eLearning, Continuing Education or Virtual Professional Development delivery experience, we have compiled this list of the 100 best practices.
Rhode Island Housing Virtual Training & Automated Certificates Case Study
Open Book
Case Study

Rhode Island Housing Virtual Training & Automated Certificates Case Study

  • A white-labeled training and certification platform for RIH and their end-users - Our platform allowed them to centralize all training materials for their products, train, certify and track certificates of their users in a timely manner.
Continuing Education, Professional Development & Certificates with BeaconLive
Video
Video

Continuing Education, Professional Development & Certificates with BeaconLive

  • Seamlessly deliver online CE, CPD, and Certificates at scale while eliminating hours of administrative work! Watch to learn how BeaconLive simplifies and automates this process.
FAQs

How can I improve my company’s eLearning content strategy?

Improve your eLearning strategy by choosing quality over quantity, send pre-event surveys, and connect with industry thought leaders. 

What do I need to do to build a better online course?

Build an outstanding eLearning course by using visual content, making your content mobile-friendly, and facilitating a great user experience. 

What is a learning management system?

A learning management system, or LMS, allows companies to create, manage, and implement training courses, quizzes, and other learning materials. 

Subsribe-to-blog-image-1