PiiQ by Cornerstone vs. SmarterU.com

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
PiiQ by Cornerstone
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Cornerstone’s PiiQ is an SMB offering formerly known as Sonar6. PiiQ is aimed at small-to-medium sized businesses and includes core learning management and performance management systems, including content creation, mobile accessibility, and in-product reporting.
$8
per user per month
SmarterU.com
Score 7.1 out of 10
N/A
SmarterU.com is a corporate-focused learning management software solution offered by Neovation Corporation.N/A
Pricing
PiiQ by CornerstoneSmarterU.com
Editions & Modules
PiiQ Performance
$8.00
per user per month
PiiQ Learning + Content
$8.00
per user per month
PiiQ Learning + Content & Performance
$15.00
per user per month
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
PiiQ by CornerstoneSmarterU.com
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup Fee$1,000 per installationNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
PiiQ by CornerstoneSmarterU.com
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
PiiQ by CornerstoneSmarterU.com
Learning Management
Comparison of Learning Management features of Product A and Product B
PiiQ by Cornerstone
6.6
11 Ratings
21% below category average
SmarterU.com
8.6
2 Ratings
5% above category average
Course authoring6.011 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Course catalog or library6.811 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Player/Portal6.810 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Learning content6.611 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Mobile friendly7.98 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Progress tracking & certifications6.210 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Assignments6.711 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Compliance management5.89 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Learning administration6.611 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Learning reporting & analytics6.911 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Social learning00 Ratings7.92 Ratings
Best Alternatives
PiiQ by CornerstoneSmarterU.com
Small Businesses
Tovuti LMS
Tovuti LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Tovuti LMS
Tovuti LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Bridge Learning Platform
Bridge Learning Platform
Score 9.9 out of 10
Bridge Learning Platform
Bridge Learning Platform
Score 9.9 out of 10
Enterprises
Bridge Learning Platform
Bridge Learning Platform
Score 9.9 out of 10
Bridge Learning Platform
Bridge Learning Platform
Score 9.9 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
PiiQ by CornerstoneSmarterU.com
Likelihood to Recommend
8.6
(40 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
3.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.5
(37 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Availability
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
7.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
9.2
(36 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Online Training
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
9.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
6.5
(9 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
PiiQ by CornerstoneSmarterU.com
Likelihood to Recommend
Cornerstone OnDemand
Well suited for:
  • A busy environment where you want learners to be self-sufficient and to be able to access learning solutions at a time that suits them.
  • For anyone who wants to access learning using different platforms such as iPad, mobile, PC, etc
  • Anyone who needs a more in-depth learning solution rather than an overview of key learning points.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
I think that SmarterU can be implemented in any organization in any industry. Especially in industries with more complex training requirements. The administration of the system is simple and the usability of the system to end users is even more simple
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Pros
Cornerstone OnDemand
  • Enables employees to draft work goals and collaborate with their supervisors on a final version - improves mutual understanding right up front.
  • Combines performance goal ratings with competency ratings and provides a blended score. Simplifies the goal weighting so you don't have to do any calculations.
  • 9-box matrix provides useful definitions and descriptions so managers can prepare development notes or plans for individual employees.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
  • Software works on multiple devices: computer, iPad, iPhone, Chromebook, etc.
  • Easy to navigate
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Cons
Cornerstone OnDemand
  • Would be good to have have a virtual "top level" (eg board) user built in to allow senior execs without a direct manager to be able to be set up with KPIs instead of having to create a dummy user
  • Reports have difficulty downloading if pop ups disabled or in some browser environments
  • When competencies are updated while a cycle is open, any changes don't effect that open cycle but only future ones. Would be nice to be able to have the option to apply changes to existing "open" cycles
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
  • Reporting System can be improved.
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Likelihood to Renew
Cornerstone OnDemand
It's not that CSB isn't a decent performance management system, but we have decided to go with just one vendor (Workday) for an HRIS/performance management/payroll system so we can directly relate pay to performance. We are more interested in having just one system that "talks" to the other pieces instead of having to work with several vendors. It reduces the hassle of having to communicate with different support teams, having different contracts, and so on.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
No answers on this topic
Usability
Cornerstone OnDemand
There are specific things within the goals and competencies that are user-friendly. For example, the rating slider isn't great in my opinion. You can slide in between ratings which can create some odd scoring (if you use scoring). It seems a better solution would be a drop down where you select your rating. There are also some glitches in the system and have been told Cornerstone is aware of them but are focused on delivering new features. There are workarounds, but that doesn't seem to be a great answer.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
No answers on this topic
Reliability and Availability
Cornerstone OnDemand
So far 100%.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
No answers on this topic
Performance
Cornerstone OnDemand
The saving process slows it down. It doesn’t auto save. If you leave a page, it will sometimes warn you, but not always. When you hit the save button, a window pops up that says creating/saving packets. It feels very archaic.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cornerstone OnDemand
My assistant could better address this issue. My perception is that there is not immediate assistance, and that there can be a wait for help. That is not a negative, just a perception. I have not used support in two years.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
Really good support initially, now support is OK but we have fewer needs.
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Online Training
Cornerstone OnDemand
We bought training provided by 3rd party – it was fabulous.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Cornerstone OnDemand
I think we could have done a better job of rolling out the tool to our managers. We were under a tight timeline. In the training, we showed them everything and said go do it by this date. Looking back, I would have done it in pieces: for example, 2 weeks to write goals, 2 weeks to get sign-off from direct reports. I just let them go at it. Since then we’ve moved to agile development environment and are applying the technique to everything. In future would only do through change sprint. It is a big change I didn’t take it seriously enough.

I had a team of 3 project managing. You need a champion from every department to make sure you’re getting it right and to make sure what’s happening is communicated. It’s not something you can do without input from department heads
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Cornerstone OnDemand
Lesson.ly has been great to work with but it is a very clear and simple, user-friendly system that anyone can pick up with very little training as it is self-explanatory. It also has a great mobile interface and lots of different features that are easy to add for the admin but really impactful for the user.
Read full review
Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
Most online LMS systems work really well to track and manage training that the system is delivering. However, most systems are not very good at managing training requirements which are delivered outside of the system. For example, First Aid training, or license requirements are accomplished through third party. SmarterU was the only system we evaluation that was able to track these items with the ability to monitor the renew dates properly.
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Return on Investment
Cornerstone OnDemand
  • It's tool and it's only as good as the person wielding it. The investment in PiiQ was accompanied by a quarterly cadence and manager feedback training. We feel like our employees are given regular feedback and bonuses are tied to objective accomplishment.
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Neovation Corporation (SmarterU)
  • It has helped us to make sure our training is consistent across multiple locations and trainers and ensured less drift.
  • The course tracking and certification allows us to manage new hires and make sure they complete all required training to later achieve an RBT certification.
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ScreenShots

PiiQ by Cornerstone Screenshots

Screenshot of PiiQ Performance Employee ReviewScreenshot of PiiQ Learning on DevicesScreenshot of PiiQ Manager/Employee Check-insScreenshot of PiiQ 9-box Talent MatrixScreenshot of PiiQ Learning Publish New ContentScreenshot of PiiQ Learning Searchable Library & Self-registration