Recently, independent analyst firm Wainhouse Research released its first-ever overview report on the market for video solutions for corporate learning.

In the WR analysis, Panopto is named one of only three “Champions” in video content management, a designation reserved for those video platforms that were assessed the highest scores in both completeness of solution and ability to execute.

In particular, Panopto was recognized for the completeness of our video platform, scoring higher overall on those measures than any other solution provider.

Wainhouse Research has been a leading voice in the unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) market since 1999. We’re honored that Panopto has won the recognition of the WR team, especially considering the strong and crowded field that makes up today’s video platform marketplace.

Video Enhances Learning In Corporate Environments

While a number of firms have issued their own assessments of the video platform market, Wainhouse Research’s analysis stands apart — providing an in-depth review of the full scope of video toolsets designed for use in corporate learning. WR’s report includes not only enterprise video platforms, but also video-enabled learning management systems (LMSs), human capital management systems (HCMs), and informal learning and coaching platforms designed to be used as supplemental tools.

Further, along with the detailed reviews of 30+ vendors, WR also explores the fundamental questions of why and how video is used by modern enterprise trainers in the first place. Based on their research, WR makes the assertion that video technologies enhance both formal and informal learning within enterprise businesses, and that video is proving itself to be a powerful tool for capturing subject matter expertise.

Today’s L&D professionals face many challenges that include reskilling workers quickly and improving the effectiveness of training. Video is proving to be a powerful medium for training content that addresses a number of these challenges.

According to the WR report, “Video is not only enabling new approaches to on-demand and informal learning, but also enhancing more conventional methods of instruction, blending well with instructor-led training and e-learning.” Additionally, 92% of the knowledge experts surveyed by Wainhouse Research agreed that on-demand video archives offer a valuable storehouse of institutional knowledge.

Learning Management Systems Versus Video Content Management Systems

While detailing the video technologies used in today’s organizations, WR also takes time to compare and contrast the general categories identified in the report, and to offer insights on which categories of video tools offer better support for which business needs.

When it comes to choosing where and how to support video inside the corporate learning environment, WR focuses on two primary potential categories: learning management systems (LMSs) and video content management systems (VCMSs).

LMS platforms have grown over the past twenty years to include robust features that serve businesses of all sizes. However, the LMS has never been ideal for storing and playing video, as Wainhouse Research notes, and because of its sheer size and numerous file formats, video content has typically been better managed by other tools designed specifically for video.

Moreover, as the firm reports, video content management platforms offer a number of features that most LMSs do not:

• Capturing and editing video content
• Live and on-demand streaming
• Tracking and analyzing learner interactions with video
• Interactivity through annotations and discussions
• In-video search
• Integration with LMSs, enterprise file sharing systems (EFSSs) and more
• Infrastructure to support high-quality video streaming

In the end, WR contends that because of their different core capabilities, many corporate training professionals will find that a combination of LMS and VCMS tools will best support e-learning across their organizations — particularly a VCMS that integrates with LMSs.

Continuing a Track Record of Recognition

Here at Panopto, we’re honored to again be named one of the leaders in our market by a respected, independent analyst group. We’re committed to making it easy for anyone to teach, train, and communicate with video — with Wainhouse Research’s recognition, alongside that from Gartner and Forrester, we’re proud of our growing reputation as a platform that makes video simple, flexible, and useful for everyone.