{"id":5126,"date":"2015-11-30T06:32:58","date_gmt":"2015-11-30T11:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paradisosolutions.com\/blog\/?p=5126"},"modified":"2025-05-28T02:33:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T07:33:13","slug":"moodle-corporations-match-made-heaven-terrible-twosome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paradisosolutions.com\/blog\/moodle-corporations-match-made-heaven-terrible-twosome\/","title":{"rendered":"Moodle and Corporations: A Match Made in Heaven or Terrible Twosome?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In trying to think of an appropriate analogy for Moodle and business I got to thinking – why do so many companies choose Moodle? It\u2019s open source and free, but that doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t costs associated with it. Clearly the key word here is <\/span>free<\/span><\/i>, but when you have a training budget in your hands and you choose something which needs a high degree of customization and resources, it almost seems counterintuitive not to enlist the help of a company that knows what it\u2019s doing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What this article aims to do is give those that are looking into Moodle as a possibility, or are poised to commit to it, a bit more information to help them make the right choice for their company.\u00a0<\/span>There are a lot of things to be aware of when looking at Moodle, aspects that are often missed whilst blindly following the Pied Piper of the elearning industry down a potentially very costly rabbit hole.<\/span><\/p>\n

We all love a bargain. We love it even more when things are free. Going to the opening of a new bar and getting a free beer is one thing, but downloading Moodle as a free, fully-functional LMS? Sadly, it falls into the category of too good to be true.\u00a0<\/span>Moodle is more like getting a free pet monkey. He (or she – I\u2019m told monkeys can be female too) may be what you always wanted, and you are psyched you got him for free, but did monkey care costs really come into your mind when you got him?<\/span><\/p>\n

Firstly, he needs toys and clothes (or plugins and UI customization if you will). Secondly, he will need someone to look after him when you aren\u2019t there (technical support) and lastly he needs somewhere to live (storage and server space). I think I chose the monkey analogy because I\u2019ve always felt my life would be better with one, but then as soon as I started thinking seriously about it, it seemed ridiculous and very expensive, much to my disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blinded by the prospect of getting something for no cost, many organizations make the mistake of jumping on Moodle because it\u2019s billed as free, and not considering a) any hidden costs or b) other moodle\u00a0alternatives<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bad news is the hidden costs are many and, for the most part, undetectable until you have committed. The good news is that even more numerous than hidden costs are the alternative corporate LMSs available. What follows is a list of a number of features that corporate trainers should be aware of with Moodle when they are looking into it.<\/span><\/p>\n