This week, NetworkWorld magazine reported on the runaway success that Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) has been.  In many ways, MOSS is the collaboration operating system for learning organizations. In Higher Education, we see universities and colleges from Bellevue to Brooklyn adopting MOSS as their core self-service portal and collaboration platform.  There's one question that keeps coming up again and again:  With all of the capabilities of MOSS, why do I still need a separate application for my LMS?

It's a question that needs an answer.  There are actually two options to consider: Microsoft's Shared Source SharePoint Learning Kit or the SharePointLMS.  The SharePointLMS is developed by ELearningForce, Inc.  From a review of their website, it looks like they are very early in their development of a full-fledge learning management system for MOSS.

Here's ELearningForce's comparison of SharePointLMS to other leading platforms:

	SharePointLMS [-]	JoomlaLMS [-]	Blackboard [-]	Fronter [-]	Moodle [-]
Extended group functions
Gradebook
SCORM player
Learning paths
Install service and support
CEO/Parent access
Homework control
True Joomla coding
True MS .NET coding
Advanced quizzes
Advanced subscriptions
Advanced surveys
Advanced E-portfolio	Add-on webpart	add-on
Advanced quiz pool
Teacher front end authoring
Teacher front end admin
Course certificates
Authoring software for RAPID e-learning	WordForce, QuizForce and PowerPointForce	WordForce, QuizForce and PowerPointForce
Backup tool
Flash tutorials
Tracking of students
Microsoft AD controlled		LDAP
Flash Media Server Conference with recordings
Support choices	3 levels	3 levels
MS SharePoint server 2007 MOSS and WSS
Custom development support

If SharePointLMS lives up to its promise, this will become a great opportunity for our customers for customers to streamline their service portfolio for business and learning.  With an uncertain economy , making prudent decisions about IT investments is a top concern.  MOSS adoption and/or expansion is a great way to deliver new innovation to your end-users while reducing your cost to do so.  SharePointLMS also has tools import your content from your existing LMS to SharePointLMS.

In the coming months, we are going to get ELearningForce on a Higher Innovation Podcast call to learn more about their offering.  In the meantime, visit their website and download the demo for your organization.  Let me know your story.

For more cool innovations on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, visit the MOSS Team Blog.

CAMERONEVANS is an Education Sales Manager at Microsoft Corporation for Higher Education. CAMERON is a former Education CIO and radio magazine host. You can find his professional blog at The Cameron Chronicles.