e-Learning Blog

Totara Learn adds and enhances features tailored to the needs of human resource development within companies, in addition to the basic learning management functions as an LMS. It is a learning management system used by 1,500 customers and 20 million users across 140 countries worldwide. It can accommodate everything from small offices to globally expanding enterprise companies, and due to its open-source nature and subscription-based offering, it can be implemented and operated at a lower cost compared to other enterprise-level LMS with similar functionalities.

Totara Learn is one of the systems that make up the Totara Talent Experience Platform, which consists of three systems.

- Totara Learn：A system for managing learning (LMS).

- Totara Engage：A learning experience platform (LXP) designed to enhance employee engagement, cohesion, and skill development.

- Totara Perform：It is a performance management system.

By combining these three systems, we create an integrated Talent Experience Platform (TXP) for employees.

Totara Learn adds features necessary for business within companies and organizations, in addition to the functions required of a basic learning management system. Here are some of its key features.

Learners can quickly and easily access all content (videos, e-learning packages, webcasts, PDFs, question banks, etc.). It also offers blended learning with instructor-led group training.

Totara Learn, in conjunction with Totara Engage and Totara Perform, constitutes a comprehensive Talent Experience Platform (TXP) that provides a seamless learning, performance management, and employee engagement experience.

Totara Learn is a system that leverages the advantages of open technology. It can be customized into the optimal LMS for your business processes and specific needs by adjusting the source code and adding new features.

In addition to basic learning management features, functions tailored to the training needs within the company are implemented. The following features are provided.
- Provides a personalized learning experience through organizational hierarchy, position, and team management.
- Supports blended learning with group training.
- Offers optimal learning for roles and organizations through competencies and learning plans.
- Supports certifications and badges.
- Creates flexible reports using a report editor.
- Manages individual performance.

Totara Learn is open source, allowing for feature extensions and customizations that were difficult with traditional enterprise LMS solutions. You can utilize the already multifunctional Totara Learn as an LMS that better fits your needs.

Supports 36 languages including Japanese and English. The terminology used in the system can be changed according to the settings to match the operation.

With responsive design support, we accommodate access from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, in addition to PCs.

Learners can download e-learning while connected, complete it offline, and easily submit their answers and results once they are back online.

By integrating and linking with existing Human Resource Management Systems (HRIS), CRM, and other systems, we optimize workflows related to talent development.

In addition to the security measures developed with Moodle, we also comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Furthermore, bug and security fixes due to version upgrades are supported for three years after release.

Totara is used in various places around the world. Here are some of them.

3-1. Hospitals and Healthcare

Healthcare is constantly evolving, with new rules and methods emerging. In response, Totara provides a place for hospital staff and doctors to learn new skills. The training that doctors receive then spreads to many other hospitals and healthcare professionals, contributing to skill enhancement and support for new technologies. Additionally, the content of learning is adjusted based on the nature of the work and the workplace, providing tailored information for each individual. In this way, we respond to the evolution of healthcare and facilitate skill enhancement and growth.

3-2. Retail Industry

We are addressing three important issues to improve the work of people in the retail industry. The first is hiring new people, the second is ensuring that hired individuals stay with us for a long time, and the third is enabling those who lack necessary skills to acquire them. Totara is used to solve these problems. It supports skill development, allowing employees to learn what is necessary for their jobs and grow without leaving quickly. Additionally, we have created a system where help is available anytime, on any device, for using the platform. This not only prevents a decline in sales but also assists stores and companies in achieving success. A list has also been created to supplement missing skills and evaluate skills to consider necessary training. Totara is utilized to help employees and companies respond effectively to the demands of new customers.

3-3. Government Agencies

Totara helps government officials work efficiently. It provides a platform to train and develop government personnel around the world. This way, various parts of the government are connected, creating a safe working environment. How money is spent is also important. It offers a system to effectively utilize the abilities of others within a limited budget. It enhances the skills of veterans and assists the growth of younger individuals, ensuring that everyone can continue to play an important role. Laws and regulations may change. To respond to this, it teaches employees about rules and regulations and how to protect important information. It prepares for checks by taking courses and submitting reports.

3-4. Manufacturing Industry

In the work of creating things, new technologies and machines have become important. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the skills of the workforce. Totara supports these individuals, enabling them to learn important skills while adhering to work rules and flexibility. We help cultivate highly skilled individuals and expand their work skills. We provide opportunities for personalized learning and also offer chances to learn outside of the workplace. We contribute to learning important rules for safe work. We help ensure that workers correctly understand the machines they operate and protect their health to prevent injuries. Totara supports the creation of a safe environment and ensures that the company functions properly.

Totara is used by many companies around the world. Here are some examples of how it is being utilized in those companies.

4-1. Komatsu Chiri

Komatsu is a global leader in machinery for markets such as mining, construction, forestry, and industry, as well as in manufacturing, sales, distribution, leasing, and after-sales service. They are implementing Totara to enhance employee skills. Komatsu Chile, which primarily focuses on mining, and its training center (CFK) are adopting new training methods using Totara Learn and Totara Perform.

4-2. Toyota/Lexus

Toyota/Lexus is not only a global leader in automotive technology advancement and development, but also provides excellent training opportunities for school learners and trainees. Using Totara Learn, it covers not only authoring and learning management but also learning plans to support the development of interns' skills and achievement of goals.

4-3. Bridgestone

Bridgestone is a global leader in tire technology and innovation. We design performance-oriented tires for passenger cars and light trucks for almost every vehicle and application. Bridgestone is introducing new methods to redesign the Totara Learn platform to enhance user experience, making it a learning platform that employees want to use. It has succeeded by incorporating gamification, a new look and feel, and a better user experience for navigating the courses offered.

4-4. Yamaha Motor Europe NV

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of motorcycles, marine products, and other electric products. Yamaha Motor Europe NV is the European headquarters responsible for the distribution, marketing, sales, and support of these products and spare parts through a dedicated dealer network. We were able to save 30% on training by transitioning to Totara Learn.

4-5. Sony

Sony is a leader and innovator in the development of market-leading broadcasting, professional, and business solutions. Sony has created a Totara-based knowledge portal for dealers, resellers, and customers. In addition to having product information pages, it is a training solution that allows users to track their learning and check the progress of learners while tracking the popularity of the courses published by Sony on the site.

Totara Learn is a tool that supports learners in choosing what to study on their own and actively engaging in their learning. It is important for learners to think, "I need to know this" rather than just doing it because "my boss said so," and to learn independently and solve problems on their own. Experiencing this creates a reason to study and fosters a desire to learn. In Japan, the learning methods may still lean more towards being taught by teachers or seniors rather than self-directed learning. While this may be sufficient for uniform learning in areas like information security and compliance, I truly feel that self-directed learning is essential for progressing in daily tasks and overcoming the challenges that arise. I hope that a time will come when products like Totara Learn are more sought after in Japan.

Human Science Co., Ltd. signed a solution partner agreement with Totara Learning Solutions in October 2014, and is the only official partner in Japan providing Totara Learn solutions. For more details, please see below.

＞Human Science | Totara Learn Solutions
＞Totara Official Site

* "Totara" refers to the Totara tree. This tree is native to New Zealand (the founding place of Totara Inc.) and has been revered by the indigenous Māori people for its flexibility, strength, and durability. The name "Totara" is used to reflect the goal of emulating these characteristics.