Analyst Perspectives

Here are some insights on D2L drawn from our latest Value Index research, which provides a balanced perspective of Learning Management Systems (LMS) vendors and products that’s rooted in an understanding of business drivers and needs. Our continuous research and analysis of the market for business applications and technologies guide our comprehensive approach to this Value Index on Learning Management Systems 2020. Organizations can use it to evaluate existing suppliers and potential new technology partners; applying it can shorten the cycle time for an RFP. This approach not only reduces cost and time but also minimizes the risk of making a decision that is bad for the business. Using the Value Index will enable your organization to achieve the levels of efficiency and effectiveness needed to optimize learning management.

We evaluated D2L and 11 other vendors in seven categories, five product-related (adaptability, capability, manageability, reliability and usability) and two concerning the vendor (TCO/ROI and vendor validation). To arrive at the Value Index rating for a given vendor, we weighted each of the seven categories to reflect its relative importance in an RFP process, with the weightings based on data derived from our benchmark research on LMS.

D2L ranks 11th in this Value Index on LMS. The criteria in this evaluation are designed for business users, however, D2L’s market base includes primary, secondary and higher education customers as well as corporate clients.

This evaluation finds several examples of product innovation in the vendor’s Brightspace learning management product, including the ability to utilize observations as proof of assignment completion, or to collect other evidence of learning such as photos, videos and recordings. The product also offers a powerful set of feedback capabilities based on scoring rubrics, peer reviews and personalized video recorded directly in the platform.

D2L’s highest scores are in the Validation category due to superlative customer references and clear evidence of market momentum and ongoing product investment. Product reliability scores are also above average.

The vendor would have scored higher in the Capability category if it offered more of an ability to personalize the learning experience by taking advantage of AI. Also, the product would benefit from more effective social collaboration that integrates with other communication, performance management and talent management technologies.

This research-based index is the most comprehensive assessment of the value of learning management systems (LMS) software in the industry. You can learn more about our Value Index as an effective vendor selection and RFI/RFP tool here and participating vendors can learn more about how to use the Value Index here.