Compare The 7 Best Microsoft LMS
Emily Homrok | WorkRamp Contributor
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From Microsoft Teams for collaborating on projects, to PowerPoint for sharing presentations and visuals, to OneNote for organizing ideas, to Excel for compiling data—your company (and your customers) probably use a suite of Microsoft products almost every day. But what if you could integrate your Microsoft tools with your organization’s learning management system (LMS) to make your training and education programs more accessible, engaging, and effective?
There are many benefits to choosing an LMS that seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Teams, Office 365, and other Microsoft products. For example, with a Microsoft LMS that’s integrated with Teams, your admins can easily create and monitor group chat channels, share documents from your content library with learners, and automate notifications about upcoming compliance training requirements.
We’ll explore more benefits of a Microsoft LMS in this guide to learning management software, which compares seven of the best Microsoft-compatible learning platforms for businesses in 2024.
In this post:
What is a Microsoft LMS?
An LMS, or learning management system, is an online platform that businesses can use for creating, sharing, and managing educational content, such as compliance training for employees, sales enablement training, or customer education programs.
A Microsoft LMS is a learning management system that integrates with Microsoft Teams and the Office 365 suite of tools, like Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
This allows for smooth, easy syncing and data-sharing between the LMS platform and the Microsoft tools your business already uses. That means your business can automate more tasks, gain deeper insights into your data, and save time by bringing all resources together in one place.
Does Microsoft have an LMS?
The learning management platform LMS365, which we’ll be covering in more detail later, is built into Microsoft Teams and other tools within Microsoft Office 365. LMS365 also integrates with Microsoft SharePoint, which is an online collaboration tool for creating websites and document libraries.
Best learning management systems with Microsoft integration
Here are seven of the best LMS platforms that integrate with Microsoft:
- WorkRamp
- LMS365
- Moodle
- Blackboard Learn
- D2L
- Canvas
- 360Learning
Let’s look at an overview of each platform’s use cases, features, and strengths.
1. WorkRamp
WorkRamp is a cloud-based, mobile-friendly, Microsoft-compatible platform for customer, partner, and employee learning enhanced by AI. Using WorkRamp’s Customer Learning Cloud or Employee Learning Cloud, small to large organizations can:
- Provide customers, partners, employees, and other learners with access to thousands of off-the-shelf courses
- Track learner progress, engagement, and other key metrics
- Automated time-consuming tasks like course enrollment
- Generate personalized training materials in minutes, along with personalized learner feedback and recommendations, using AI Assist
Along with the Employee Learning Cloud and Customer Learning Cloud, WorkRamp also offers several other additional solutions:
- WorkRamp CMS — An LMS-CMS hybrid for revenue enablement
- WorkRamp Content — A collection of more than 85,000 courses and learning resources, including a compliance-specific workplace safety content package
- WorkRamp Communities — For building vibrant online communities that drive brand advocacy
WorkRamp integrates with Microsoft 365, along with Outlook, Intercom, Slack, Google Analytics, Gong, Bamboo HR, Workday, Box, and other popular business software. Learn more about the platform’s LMS integrations and how they work with your tech stack to deliver a friction-free learning experience.
Key Features:
- Blended learning capabilities
- AI-assisted content authoring and course creation tools
- Custom dashboards for admins and learners
- Advanced reporting features
- Off-the-shelf content library featuring 85,000+ courses
- Customer and partner badges and certifications
- Gamification
- Microlearning
- Personalized learning paths
- Instructor-led training
- Automated workflows
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Can import Onedrive and Sharepoint content directly into the LMS
Pros:
-
- Offers multiple solutions for creating and managing L&D content, including a CMS, customer LMS, employee LMS, and community building tool
- Offers industry-specific solutions
- Free personalized demo available
- Accessible via desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet in multiple languages
- Mobile-friendly for convenient remote learning
- Scalable for all-size organizations
Get an inside look at WorkRamp’s LMS platform with a demo of the Learning Cloud.
2. LMS365
LMS365 is built into Microsoft Teams and other Office 365 applications, making it a convenient Microsoft LMS option for many businesses. The developer describes it as “a solution that lives inside of Microsoft 365 [and] enables users to create and facilitate training on the Microsoft 365 platform through SharePoint, Teams, Viva Learning, and the LMS365 mobile app.”
Key Features:
- Personalized dashboards
- Gamification features like leaderboards
- Ready-made course content
- Automated reporting
- Learner certification management tools
- Integrations with Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, Word, SharePoint, Viva Learning, and more
Pros:
- Can be installed and set up in as little as 30 minutes
- Microsoft 365 certification ensures your data is secure
- Suitable for small, midsize, and large organizations
- Mobile app available
3. Moodle
Moodle products include Moodle LMS, a cloud-based learning management system for educators, and Moodle Workspace, which is designed to help businesses create and share online training programs. According to its website, Moodle Workspace is a “flexible enterprise learning management platform that combines the best features of Moodle LMS with advanced tools for workplace learning,” like course-building tools and automated workflows.
Key Features:
- Course building tools
- Automated workflows
- Custom reports
- Learner progress and engagement tracking tools
- Course completion certificates
Pros:
- Supports numerous languages
- Used by “hundreds of thousands of educators and trainers”
- Scalable for any size organization
4. Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn, which is geared toward educators, describes its platform as “an inclusive, flexible, and insightful learning management system to provide engaging educational experiences.”
Anthology, the company behind Blackboard Learn, also offers a solution called Anthology for Business, which enables businesses to create and provide “flexible professional development, training, and online learning solutions” for employees.
Along with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft is one of Anthology’s strategic partners.
Key Features:
- Blended learning
- Course building tools
- Generative AI powered by Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface
- Learner assessments
- User management features
Pros:
- Microsoft Gold Partner
- Microsoft Business Applications 2023/2024 Inner Circle Award winner
- Offers strategic consulting services
- 100+ languages supported
5. D2L
D2L offers eLearning products for K-12 educators, higher ed institutions, and corporations, like D2L for Business—a learning experience platform (LXP) that helps businesses “craft and deliver engaging, accessible, and impactful learning experiences to all your employees,” from brand-new hires to managers and leaders.
D2L’s learning management system, BrightSpace, can be used to create and deliver custom content to learners online. BrightSpace integrates with Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft OneNote, plus other popular software like Google Workspace, OpenSesame, Training Orchestra, and Zoom.
Key Features:
- AI-powered course authoring tools
- Branded course templates
- Custom reporting
- Easy-to-navigate dashboards
- Employee upskilling tools
- Learner progress assessments
- Personalized career and learning pathways
- Real-time data and analytics
- Skills mapping tools
Pros:
- Free trial available
- Offers tailored solutions for various industries, including retail, manufacturing, non-profit, and technology/software
6. Canvas LMS
In addition to its K-12 and higher ed eLearning platforms for teachers and schools, Canvas also offers a suite of products for professional education, including:
- Canvas LMS — A platform for managing online, in-person, and blended learning content
- Canvas Catalog — An online tool for highlighting the courses your organization offers
- Canvas Credentials — For building “skills-based credential systems that connect your learners to new opportunities”
- Canvas Studio — Designed specifically for video-based learning
Your business can connect its Canvas courses to Microsoft Teams, which enables you to give assignments and offer feedback to learners easily. Learn how to use Canvas LMS with Microsoft 365 in this free hour-long Microsoft module.
Key Features:
- Course creation tools
- Course import tool for bulk uploads
- Interactive analytics
- Learner quizzes and assessments
- Messaging and collaboration tools, like video chat and group chat features
- Speed-grading tools for educators
Pros:
- Mobile app available
- Responsive design
- Supports numerous languages
- Unlimited file size uploads
7. 360Learning
360Learning is an AI-powered collaborative learning platform with use cases like new employee onboarding, compliance training and retraining, and sales enablement.
360Learning integrates with Microsoft Teams, as well as Microsoft OneDrive. According to 360Learning, “After login, this application allows users from 360Learning to receive directly on Teams their notifications for training and collaboration on their LMS platform.”
Other integrations include Salesforce, Coursera, SAP SuccessFactors, and Google Drive.
Key Features:
- AI-powered course creation
- AI-powered learner recommendations
- Automated course enrollments
- Blended learning
- Collaborative learning tools
- Course building tools
- Learner skills dashboard
- Off-the-shelf content
- SSO
- Tools for creating branded academies
Pros:
- 91% average course completion rate
- Numerous use cases
- SCORM compatible
4 benefits of a Microsoft LMS Integration
Let’s take a closer look at four of the benefits that come from using a Microsoft-integrated learning management system:
- Creating an organized, centralized learning hub
- Enabling better collaboration and communication
- Boosting learner engagement by personalizing your courses and training programs
- Saving time and increasing your team’s efficiency
1. Centralized learning
One of the major advantages of a Microsoft LMS integration is the ability to centralize all of your eLearning and training resources together, in one secure location. That means employees no longer need to search through multiple platforms or systems to find the information they need. With a centralized LMS platform, like WorkRamp’s Learning Cloud, all of your organization’s training programs, courses, and other instructional content can be stored and managed in a single database, making it convenient for employees and admins to access, search, and engage with the content.
2. Improved collaboration and communication
By integrating your LMS together with Microsoft’s communication tools, like Microsoft Teams, you can make it easier for your employees, salespeople, and instructors to collaborate and message each other in real-time—regardless of geographical boundaries. For example, learners can participate in online discussion forums, share insights with their peers in direct or group chats, and ask questions about the training materials.
WorkRamp’s cloud-based learning platform is loaded with features that support effortless communication, from private and group messaging to video chat tools and integrations with Slack and Microsoft Teams. Learners can easily share and edit files, send links and documents, get answers to questions, and find information quickly.
3. Personalized learning
With a Microsoft LMS, you can create customized learning paths and modules that are based on each employee’s skill set and role. By tailoring the learning experience and making it relevant to the learner, you can boost learner engagement and ensure that employees, partners, and customers are absorbing and retaining the target knowledge.
Learn more about the benefits of providing personalized learning experiences for your employees and customers—or, explore some additional strategies for building a culture of learning at your organization.
4. Increased efficiency and productivity
An LMS integrated with Microsoft can automate many of your administrative tasks, such as course enrollment, progress tracking, and reporting. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces your administrative burden, freeing up precious time.
An LMS also provides comprehensive, real-time insights into learner progress, course completion rates, and performance metrics. Equipped with detailed, up-to-the-minute data, businesses can identify areas for improvement and make more cost-effective decisions.
More about Microsoft LMS
Get quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Microsoft learning management systems, including:
- What is an LMS?
- Does Microsoft Office 365 have an LMS?
- Can Microsoft Teams be used as an LMS?
What is an LMS?
An LMS is a learning management system. A learning management system is an online platform that allows businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations to design training content, track learners’ progress, and measure program results. Most LMSs are cloud-based, which means they can be conveniently accessed over the internet from any location or device, but some also provide an option for on-premise hosting.
Does Office 365 have an LMS?
LMS365 is an AI-powered LMS built directly into Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Teams. However, LMS365 is not the only option for businesses. There are many additional LMS platforms that are capable of integrating with Office 365 applications, such as Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams. Some examples include WorkRamp, TalentLMS, Absorb LMS, and 360Learning.
Can you use Microsoft Teams as an LMS?
Microsoft Teams is a messaging app, not a learning management system, and cannot replace all of the functions of a traditional LMS. However, many learning management systems are capable of integrating with Teams, allowing the platforms to work together and share data seamlessly. According to Microsoft support, “Teams can work fluidly alongside several Learning Management Systems (LMS) and apps, supporting the crucial need for online lectures, discussions, and collaboration.” Examples include WorkRamp, 360Learning, and TalentLMS.
Use the best LMS with Microsoft integration
From a powerful AI Assist feature that lets you build courses in minutes, to blended learning with live events and interactive video, WorkRamp’s Microsoft-compatible LMS delivers a best-in-class experience for learners and admins alike.
Discover how WorkRamp can help your business drive growth, attract talent, and retain customers with a free, personalized demo of the Learning Cloud today.
Complete the form for a custom demo.
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