New Wainhouse Research Report on Future of Learning Management Systems Predicts Further Intersection With Synchronous Learning Tools and Disruptive Industry Consolidation

Market Wire, December, 2007

Wainhouse Research (WR) has released a market study focusing on the intersection of synchronous tools and learning management system (LMS) platforms and synchronous tools, the first in a 3-volume series, "The Distance Education and the e-Learning Landscape." Among the report's conclusions is that there is a greater than 50% probability that many LMS platforms will include highly robust real-time audio, web conferencing, Instant Messaging, Presence, and videoconferencing capabilities within two years, and a 95% probability these capabilities will be built-in within five years. Hosted and managed services will become the preferred deployment mode for the traditionally CPE-based LMS industry.

Volume 1 of "The Distance Education and e-Learning Landscape: Learning Management Platforms, Software and Tools" captures market trends as of 2007, and provides a coherent view of the disparate corporate and educational LMS products and services. This volume provides an industry overview of LMSs and ancillary, influential software tools, with profiles of Adobe, Blackboard, Cisco Systems, GeoLearning, IBM, Learn.com, Linden Lab (Second Life), Plateau Systems, Saba, and SumTotal Systems. Other companies and products discussed include Angel Learning, Cornerstone OnDemand, Desire2Learn, Moodle, Oracle, Sakai, and SkillSoft.

"After years of monitoring real-time distance education and e-Learning tools, Wainhouse Research has identified an emerging trend: greater inclusion of these tools with LMS platforms," said report author Alan Greenberg, Senior Analyst & Partner at WR. "The LMS industry has been highly volatile, morphing towards HR-related applications in corporate markets, and total learner/campus management systems in educational markets. A comprehensive audit of the entire industry is timely, as industry consolidation is not complete. On the corporate side SumTotal will be continually challenged by its rivals to begin to rationalize its past acquisitions, while Blackboard in education will continue to dominate. Yet the market is crowded and to survive, vendors will need more differentiating products and services -- and messaging."

"Volume 1" forecasts total market (combined educational and corporate markets) growth to reach $1.5 billion in 2011, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13%, from $802.8 million in 2007. The bulk of this growth will occur in higher education markets.

Other volumes in the series include "Volume 2: Video for Learning" and "Volume 3: Interaction Enablers and Synchronous Web Tools." Each volume contains a market overview, numerous vendor profiles of key and up-and-coming vendors, and market forecast. Each market overview describes market dynamics, buying and deployment behaviors, strategies for and approaches to the education and e-Learning markets, and comparisons between vendors of their respective depth of offerings/ability to execute.

"The Distance Education and e-Learning Landscape: Volume 1" -- 88 pages in length -- is available now at www.wainhouse.com/reports . The report list price is $1,495 for single-volume or $3,295 for the series.

About Wainhouse Research

Wainhouse Research ( www.wainhouse.com ) provides strategic guidance and insight on products & services for Real-Time Unified Communications. The global client base includes established and new technology suppliers and service providers as well as enterprise users of voice, video, streaming, distance education and e-Learning, and web collaboration solutions.

Editorial contact: Alan Greenberg Senior Analyst and Partner Email Contact Report sales contact: Sara Fargo Client Services Manager Email Contact Press contact: Kristi Galanek Marketing Assistant Email Contact