BizLibrary is a corporate-focused learning management software solution. The vendor provides a searchable library of prebuilt courses and materials that are mobile-accessible and include assessment and gamification capabilities.
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DigitalChalk, by Sciolytix
Score 8.0 out of 10
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The DigitalChalk LMS, from Sciolytix gives users the tools and control to launch engaging, interactive, online courses. Users can create courses featuring animated PowerPoint, SCORM content, HD videos, audio, quizzes, exams and more.
Since I only use BizLibrary as a source for content, I cannot speak to the program's suitability as an LMS, but it is an excellent solution for obtaining content that can be used in your own LMS. They offer a wide range of topics, the courses are just the right length, and the files never give me any issues exporting, loading into our LMS, and users rarely have trouble viewing the files. If you are looking for content to be added to your own LMS, BizLibrary is the way to go. What I know of it as an LMS, it seems like there would be content overload for a student. With so much content, it might be hard for a student to narrow down what they would like to take.
Digital Chalk is perfect for organizations who are looking for an easy to use Learning Management System and don't need all the bells, whistles, and bulk of the LMS giants, like Cornerstone or SuccessFactors. Digital Chalk doesn't require an administrative specialist to learn a whole new language and environment with endless options and settings. It's very easy to use for both learners and administrators, and yet at the same time provides the exact functions you need.
While I used the platform, it improved its integrations with PowerPoint, making it easy to convert slides to the DigitalChalk format.
The editing layers for audio underneath the slides is very user-friendly and easy to use.
While we didn't use the quiz randomization, I liked how there was a structure built to it so that those who had more robust usage situations than ours would be able to improve engagement and assess learning at a higher level.
The reporting options changed when the program was updated. You have to go through more steps to find the data to download. I would like more canned reports.
Adding a new learner is easy, but it takes more time to get them into the right group. We segment learners by company and role to make assigning topics easier for us.
The administration of Digital Chalk is very easy. The function I think may be missing is an easy way to add revisions and assign them to the students who need them. For example, when you update a piece of a course it would have an indication that it is version xxx and would ask who would like to assign it to - everyone who has taken it before or just new students.
It would nice to have the system recognize when a student has already completed an element of a course that may be used in another course. For example, if video A is part of courses 1 and 2, and the student already watched it in course 1, it would ask the administrator if they should get automated credit for it in course 2, as well.
When reaching out for support, BL is quick to respond. Even if they do not have a solution - such as when lessons were retired without a replacement - they are always thoughtful and informed.
As I mentioned previously, Digital Chalk's customer support is excellent. I also got a reply back within an hour, and it was usually the same person. So, they were familiar with our needs and how we were using the system. Honestly, most of the time we had to contact their support, it was an issue on the user's side, not in the software. Yet, they still helped identify the issue and consulted on how to fix it.
It was so easy, the tech that worked with me and my client success rep were beyond helpful. If I had questions they responded immediately and were very instrumental in our success.
We selected BizLibrary because it had the most robust system that pertained to our employee base. We have found that that has resulted in users engaging in several areas in addition to those required. The price was better that some and worse that some, but we felt that it provided the best value and that has proven to be the case.
DigitalChalk gave the organization the hands-on ownership of content creation and delivery while meeting our usage case of hands-off course management on a daily basis and extending the reach of the course content and certificate to as many people as possible. It's easy to use, very cost-effective to implement, and the overall experience means that the course participants get what they need out of the course without a lot of effort on their part.
Employee engagement feedback related to the need for learning & development has already seen an uptick. Many express alot of gratitude/appreciation for the JIT learning opportunity.
1st year ROI achieved with first half-dozen employees who participated in courses which were otherwise budgeted to be taken as one-day, offsite sessions from other (classroom) vendors.
Broad-based management support was at first a struggle, to be candid, but as employees have completed courses and then we've followed up, managers are now providing positive feedback from their perspective.
DigtialChalk's ROI is positive - the cost model of low up-front costs to get started, then paying a small amount per course participant means that organizations implementing DigitalChalk as their platform get more than their money's worth from it. It returns profit quickly and on a consistent basis.
The asynchronous nature of the platform, combined with the targeted usage situation of hands-off course delivery and management, means that resources to create, deliver, and maintain courses can be held with either one person (like an instructional designer) or even an outside contractor. This means that there's little impact to the fixed operating costs involved with hiring someone else to manage it.
