This is a guest post by Andrey Koptelov of Itransition.
Summary: Learn about the three crucial factors to consider when choosing between custom or off-the-shelf eLearning solutions.
The global eLearning market was estimated at USD 235.5 billion in 2022 and is predicted to reach USD 648.6 billion by 2030. The Covid-19 pandemic significantly influenced the future of online education, resulting in increased demand for coherent learning systems and driving the growth of the eLearning market.
Today, eLearning platforms have become integral to our lives. People widely use learning language apps, children study at home, and professionals train at work. The most popular eLearning solutions include learning management systems (LMS), educational portals, learning content management systems (LCMS), and virtual classrooms.
Developing and implementing education software can benefit educational institutions and businesses from various industries that aim to effectively train their employees and educate their existing and potential clients.
So, how do you build an effective eLearning system tailored to specific educational and business requirements? Let's explore the major differences between the two popular eLearning software development options as we investigate the pros and cons of custom and platform-based education software development.
Custom and Platform-Based Software Explained
There are two ways to build your education software: create custom eLearning software or use a platform-based solution.
Platform-Based Education Software
Platform-based education software is an off-the-shelf application with a user-friendly interface and pre-made modules that can be seamlessly integrated and adjusted to your needs to a certain extent.
Custom eLearning Software Development
On the other hand, custom eLearning software development requires building the application from scratch, tailoring all the features and customisation to your business needs and specific user groups.
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Factors to Consider to Make an Informed Decision
Factor #1. Time and Cost
Custom eLearning Software
Custom education software development is costly and time-intensive. The cost of building a minimum viable product (MVP) can range from dozens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity and functional requirements of the application, the required development tools and licenses, and the need to hire dedicated developers with specific skills.
Predicting the exact costs of a custom eLearning solution at the project's start can be challenging due to potential changes in the development scope. Additionally, ongoing software maintenance and support expenses should be considered, requiring an in-house team or an outsourced provider to support the eLearning app's codebase, troubleshoot issues, and introduce necessary updates.
The custom software development process is slower compared to implementing an out-of-the-box solution, taking several months for tasks such as outlining a development plan (you can use project planning templates), gathering a team, and building an MVP.
Platform-Based eLearning Software
Implementing platform-based education software requires lower initial investments and is less time-consuming compared to custom-made solutions. Off-the-shelf platform providers offer one-size-fits-all solutions with pre-built templates, tools, and integrations that can be customised to meet business-specific needs.
These platforms often have pre-defined costs for their usage, support, and maintenance, and provide a solid knowledge base and user community for self-support and best practice sharing.
However, in the long run, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a subscription-based off-the-shelf eLearning solution may surpass that of a custom-made system.
Factor #2. Scalability and Customisations
Custom eLearning Software
Custom education software allows for scaling the application and adding diverse customisations according to specific needs. By tailoring and scaling the solution, legacy functions can be eliminated, and unique functionality and features that pre-built solutions lack can be created. Furthermore, the design of the education software can be aligned with the business culture and peculiarities.
Platform-Based eLearning Software
Many eLearning platform providers offer their solutions as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) option, allowing customisation to a certain limited extent. For some businesses, the available customisations are sufficient, but for others, they may not meet the unique needs of the organisation.
Moreover, platform-based eLearning solutions can have limited scalability, which may not accommodate changing demands and requirements over time. Nevertheless, eLearning platform providers ensure they offer popular functionality and optimal scalability to fit the needs of most customers.
Factor #3. Security and Control
Custom eLearning Software
Opting for custom eLearning software development provides complete control over the solution from design and development stages to implementation and utilisation. Custom education software development offers more control over the solution's UX/UI design, functionality, and content. Businesses can design custom eLearning software to meet their unique needs and align with the company's branding.
Additionally, by integrating necessary protection mechanisms into the source code, custom education software development allows for better control over information security and the software's ability to withstand cyberattacks, which is crucial for organisations that store critical data, such as healthcare organisations or financial institutions.
Platform-Based eLearning Software
Education software platforms, such as Moodle or Open edX, are initially designed to fit the needs of various businesses across industries. While they are not the wrong choice for deploying an eLearning solution, it's important to remember that such platforms offer standard essential functions widely used across eLearning solutions and unified design.
Additionally, many education platforms utilise open-source code, which can make them more vulnerable to cyber threats. Implementing robust security measures is essential to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorised access.
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Wrapping It Up
Both custom and platform-based eLearning software have their own advantages and disadvantages. Custom education software development allows for tailor-made functionality, better control, and robust security. On the other hand, platform-based eLearning apps require lower initial investments and shorter implementation time frames. With a clear understanding of your business needs and a skilled development and implementation team, you are set to achieve your eLearning solution goals regardless of the chosen software type.
