Integrated online learning has proven to be much more cost-effective, as courses are conducted in a fully virtual setting, which automatically eliminates the need to spend money on learning resources such as textbooks or other overhead expenses. E-learning is not only booming, but it has also come into the picture as an ideal medium when training and implementation of emerging concepts such as ERP systems, big data, and analytics take place in a business.

Owing to e-learning's vast scope of use, online training offers the advantages you can reap before, during, and sometimes, after the implementation of ERP systems. Read on to explore why e-learning is such an intriguing option.

Upskilling your team, or entire company
Given the importance of talent in accelerating processes, it is not just a case of retaining the right talent, but also building the skills of the people you already have. Since the implementation of ERP systems changes some business processes significantly, you can retrain your employees on these new processes and workflows to keep them ahead of the game, so they can perform better and more efficiently.

In this technology-driven world, it is also becoming increasingly necessary to ensure you upgrade your employees’ skills in order to stay more competitive in the marketplace, while adding new expertise to their suite of skills for a seamless transition.

Self-paced learning
A key advantage of e-learning is that it enables you to set your own time and pace, and complete the education or training on your terms, without having to leave home or the office. Recorded materials, written content, and collaborative online learning software make it easy for anyone with an internet connection to access everything in the learning platform. This provides the opportunity for busy salespeople, project teams with tight schedules or full-time employees to receive required training within the implementation timeframe, while giving them time and speed flexibility.

E-learning is cost-effective
You would face a considerable expense if you attempted to train large numbers of employees spread out over wide geographical areas, or having to run multiple ERP training sessions in various physical locations. From a business perspective, the cost savings associated with e-learning are obvious. You avoid paying the considerable costs of travel, accommodation, renting training space, training fees, as well as saving precious business productivity time.

Integrated online learning has proven to be far more cost-effective, as courses are conducted in a fully virtual setting, which automatically eliminates the need to spend on learning resources such as textbooks or other overhead expenses.

Personalized training with trackable progress
Different departments in your company will be using different functions of the ERP software. For example, your marketing team is not going to receive the same ERP training as your production staff. E-learning makes it possible to create targeted courses according to specific tasks or responsibilities, so your employees will be able to familiarize themselves with the ERP interface, and execute tasks in the system related to their roles.

A complete online learning solution can alleviate the burden on the management or team leaders by tracking the employees’ learning progress throughout the course right away. Assessment tools such as short quizzes or test questions can help to assess your employees’ knowledge and understanding about each module as they learn.

In some cases, a points-based progress tracker can be encouraging to allow them to accrue points, collect badges or certificates. The tracker system should center on your employees’ skill gaps, so they know where they are headed, or to give them appropriate support if they are struggling to advance in a particular module during their learning journey.

Blended learning approach
Learning an ERP can be a daunting task, especially when covering intricate processes and functions of the system and business operations. Your attention span and knowledge retention rate are more likely to improve, utilizing multimedia technologies that come with rich visual elements or other non-text elements in the learning process. The advancement in technology can make training much more robust and interactive, providing you with a high-quality educational experience.

Online training also provides real world experience through ERP simulations, which give you the power to scout around the ERP’s many features. For example, online training tutorials that walk you through a specific function you will use in the workplace. As such, you can remember the in's and out's of the ERP system better and use it effectively on-the-job. This also means preparing you to take full advantage of the facets of the ERP system in a shorter period.

The power of accessibility
You may use ERP for several tasks, so it's essential that you can conveniently access these resources effortlessly, right at the moment your need arises, or when you are unsure about a particular step or task. Modern e-learning solutions that come with a mobile app or web-based platform can effectively help you to achieve this, by using mobile devices or laptops. This is a flexible and efficient approach to training that people of all ages and industries can benefit from in a rapidly evolving landscape.

While the advantages of online learning are vast and varied across all spectrums, this prompts the question, “Why shouldn’t learning how to use it incorporate the same approach, if your company has already adopted digital technologies for its daily operations and activities?”