How long does it take to deploy an LMS platform like Moodle?

Deploying a Learning Management System (LMS) is now a must for any organization wishing to improve its training offering. In 2024-2025, the market is full of options, each with its own specific advantages. Deploying an LMS platform can take from a few days to several months, depending on the complexity of the project and the latest technological advances.

At Pimenko, our experience in assisting numerous organizations, whether for a change of LMS or a creation from A to Z, has enabled us to develop cutting-edge expertise. We’re familiar with deployment timescales and the practical benefits of different solutions, especially when it comes to implementing a customized Moodle LMS platform.

Let’s take a look at the key stages in the deployment of an LMS platform, analyze the factors influencing its duration, and compare the options available.

This phase is essential to the launch of your project. It begins with an in-depth analysis of your educational objectives, target audience, IS environment and technical constraints. This stage can take from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of your project. It’s a crucial investment for the success of your platform.

Practical tip: Avoid functional overkill! Prioritize your needs with simple indicators: “essential”, “important”, “not a priority”.

Choosing your LMS is a crucial strategic decision. Proprietary solutions offer advantages in certain situations. They often offer a polished user interface, ready-to-use features and dedicated support.

But don’t underestimate the power of an open-source LMS like Moodle. It’s a very attractive option, particularly for its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, starting from just a few hundred users. Its exceptional customizability and adaptability means it can be precisely tailored to your current and future needs, without incurring excessive costs. With its library of hundreds of plug-ins, Moodle offers remarkable versatility and unrivalled scalability.

The choice between proprietary and open source solutions will depend on your specific needs, your internal resources and your long-term vision. Carefully weigh up the benefits of each option against your organizational context. And if you’re wondering about the advantages of an OpenSource solution like Moodle, take a look at our article“What if we looked at training platforms differently?“.

This is an important stage, and can vary considerably in length and complexity depending on the solution chosen.

In the case of proprietary solutions, this phase focuses mainly on configuration, with installation generally managed by the software publisher. The time required will depend on the editor’s responsiveness and the complexity of your specific needs.

For an Open Source LMS, with an experienced team, configuration and installation can be carried out in record time: from a few hours to a few days, depending on the complexity of the requirements. By mastering the subtleties of the software, you’ll be particularly effective in successfully integrating it into your organization. The customization work will enable us to create a completely made-to-measure platform.

For novices, this phase may take longer. But it’s perfectly feasible with the resources and documentation available online. Don’t hesitate to call in the experts if you want to optimize this stage or go further in terms of usage.

This is the moment when your platform comes to life! This process can last from several weeks to several months, depending on the courses you’re planning: to complement classroom-based training, to offer blended learning or 100% online training. Close collaboration with the educational teams is essential to create a unique learning experience perfectly tailored to your organization’s specific needs.

It can also include training sessions to help you master your LMS.

Before the big launch, a period of testing is important. It allows us to make sure that everything is running according to plan, and to make any necessary adjustments. Allow a few days to a few weeks for this crucial step.

• The size and complexity of your organization
• The technical skills of the dedicated team
• Desired level of customization (design, explanations for users, cross-functional pages, technical features required)
• The degree of interconnection with your digital environment or school management software.

The expertise of a specialized team can speed up the process by providing resources and sharing best practices.

1. Unrivalled flexibility: the OpenSource LMS adapts to your needs, not the other way round.
2. Optimum cost-effectiveness: accessible to structures of all sizes, with a cost that’s not tied to the number of users.
3. Ongoing support and updates at no extra cost: essential for staying on top of trends and technologies.
4. Extensive personalization: your LMS platform reflects your unique identity, your pedagogical needs and adapts to your organization.

• Technical installation: from a few hours to a few days
• Customization: from a few days to a few weeks
• Training: several half-day sessions tailored to your team
• Information system integration: from a few days to a few weeks, with a phased approach
• Course creation: varies according to complexity and type of course

In conclusion, deploying an LMS platform in 2024 is a project with many facets. Whether you opt for a proprietary or open-source solution, the key is to carefully assess your needs and choose the solution that best aligns with your long-term objectives.