{"id":279832,"date":"2022-02-25T01:07:22","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T01:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franconnect.com\/?p=279832"},"modified":"2024-05-15T20:56:10","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T20:56:10","slug":"what-is-a-saas-lms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franconnect.com\/en_au\/what-is-a-saas-lms\/","title":{"rendered":"What is SAAS LMS?"},"content":{"rendered":"

SaaS LMS is an acronym for Software-as-a-Service Learning Management System<\/strong>. Quite the mouthful!<\/h4>\n
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At the most basic level, a SaaS LMS is a cloud-based learning management system that is hosted online instead of being installed on your device.<\/p>\n

So you can access content on your browser from any device, at any time.<\/p>\n

Think of it as using a reference book in the library. You\u2019re not allowed to check it out of the library but you can read it as much as you like.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the best part of using a SaaS LMS:<\/h2>\n

You leave the complex and often intimidating process of installation and maintenance to the experts.<\/p>\n

If you encounter a glitch, the\u00a0LMS<\/a>\u00a0vendor will avail IT staff to fix the system at no additional cost to you.<\/p>\n

And they show you how to use the LMS effectively, reducing your learning curve.<\/p>\n

You probably know\u00a0what a learning management system<\/a>\u00a0is.<\/p>\n

Learning and development enthusiasts like yourself are already using an LMS to create and deliver courses to enrolled employees.<\/p>\n

An LMS not only\u00a0facilitates learning<\/strong>, but it also enables you to\u00a0track learners\u2019 progress<\/strong>\u00a0to find areas of\u00a0improvement.<\/p>\n

LMS deployment can be in-house or web-based (SaaS) and understanding how this is done is crucial.<\/p>\n

Accurate information will guide you when you go shopping for the perfect LMS.<\/p>\n

\"venturebeat
Simplified chart for the three main layers of cloud computing by\u00a0Venture Beat<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is SaaS?<\/h2>\n

TechTarget\u00a0<\/a>defines SaaS as:<\/p>\n

A software distribution model in which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the internet.<\/em><\/p>\n

SaaS software can only be delivered to approved end-users, who gain access through a login and password.<\/p>\n

It would be fitting to label Facebook, Instagram, and Google as SaaS products.<\/p>\n

SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS \u2013 What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h2>\n

SaaS, PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service), and IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) are the three layers of cloud computing.<\/p>\n

Train Employees<\/span><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n

IaaS is the most basic layer; PaaS is in the middle, and SaaS sits on top.<\/p>\n

Software as a Service<\/strong>: A vendor has already built the software, and you pay a monthly or annual fee to use it. The vendor handles maintenance, upgrades, and any other software-related issues. Think of it as using a passenger train. All you have to do is enjoy the service; schedules, routes, maintenance, and fees are determined by the vendor.<\/p>\n

Common example: Google Apps<\/em><\/p>\n

Platform as a Service<\/strong>: The vendor develops and deploys virtual servers, OS, applications, storage, and security, which saves you time and resources. To use the vehicle analogy, this would be like hailing a cab. The cab driver keeps the car running and takes you wherever you want to go. You must inform him of your destination and the best route to take.<\/p>\n

Demo FranConnect’s World Manager<\/a><\/p>\n

Common example: Google App Engine<\/em><\/p>\n

Infrastructure as a Service<\/strong>: Instead of buying servers and expensive hardware, you can rent them from a vendor. Storage, networking, and offsite servers can then be accessed over the internet whenever you want. Think of it as leasing a car. All you have to do is fuel the car (install an OS and apps, in this case); maintenance is the vendor\u2019s responsibility.<\/p>\n

Common example: Google Compute Engine<\/em><\/p>\n

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History of SaaS<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Here\u2019s a brief history of how SaaS came to be:<\/p>\n

The 1960s<\/strong>: Computers are huge and too expensive for educational institutions or small- to medium-sized businesses. Instead of owning a computer, people rent power and space from a vendor through\u00a0time sharing<\/a>. Every user has a specific time-share in which they can access the computer system.<\/p>\n

\"eecis
This is the\u00a0IBM Model 360\/67<\/a>\u00a0at the University of Michigan in 1969, which allowed for timesharing.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1987<\/strong>: Pat Sullivan and Mike Muhney released ACT!, the\u00a0first customer relationship management<\/a>\u00a0(CRM) software. It allows businesses to gather and store customer contacts.<\/p>\n

Early to mid-90s<\/strong>: Computers become cheaper and employees can now have computers at their desks. Applications are now stored on in-house machines. Data is stored on a central server. IT departments are staffed to manage and ensure the smooth running of this Local Area Network. Hard drive space fills up pretty fast and getting a new one like the one shown in the ad below proves too costly.<\/p>\n

\"buzzfeed
15-Megabyte Hard Disk Drive<\/strong>\u00a0holds less than four MP3 songs today.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Late 90s<\/strong>: Businesses start to explore cost-effective data storage solutions as the internet becomes widely accessible. Businesses store data offsite and access it over the internet through an Application Service Provider (ASP). The client must wait for the vendor to manually input his login credentials from his end. It\u2019s not long before ASPs are replaced by a self-service solution.<\/p>\n

1999<\/strong>: Salesforce introduces multiple products and services that are delivered over the internet. They include CRM software, sales cloud, and service cloud. Businesses are attracted to this model, as they no longer have to deal with long-term contracts and licensing. A\u00a0$50 monthly subscription fee<\/a>\u00a0is enough to enjoy the perks.<\/p>\n

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