LMS vs TMS: What’s the difference?

In practice, the terms Learning Management System (LMS) and Training Management System (TMS) are often used interchangeably. But historically, they have described very different platforms serving very different functions.

An LMS is a platform designed to deliver and track educational content. Think e-learning courses, video modules, quizzes, and certification programs.

An LMS is built around content delivery. The goal is to define what needs to be learned to ensure proficiency in a particular field, designing content that teaches and tests those skills.

Typical LMS features include:

• Course creation and goal definition
• Interactive modules (videos, quizzes, assignments)
• Progress tracking and scoring
• Certification issuance

In short: an LMS focuses on delivering teaching and learning through digital platforms.

What is a training management system (TMS)?

Traditionally, a TMS describes an administrative tool used to manage the logistics of training - especially in face-to-face environments. Instead of focusing on the content itself, a TMS manages operations. It helps you define who needs training, when, why and by whom.

Traditional TMS functions include:

• Scheduling training for teams
• Trainer and resource allocation
• Budget and cost tracking
• Training reporting and performance analytics

In short: a TMS focuses on the logistics of training.

Training management systems in the medical device sector

In the medical device sector, as training has moved increasingly on-line and become more bound up with regulation, the traditional roles of the LMS and TMS have converged.

Why training management is critical to life science success

The need to train, test and prove the competence of your employees to carry out their roles has become a new quality imperative.

ISO 13485;2016, FDA QMSR, EU MDR/IVDR and ICH 6 all require proof that teams are trained and able to perform their allocated roles.

But without the digital tools to deliver and manage bespoke training across organisations (and prove the effectiveness of the training regime) life-science companies risk failing critical audits.

TMS as an integral part of Quality Management

To meet the increasing demands of regulatory training, life-science TMS are now commonly delivered as modules within eQMS (electronic Quality Management Systems).

By integrating directly into quality systems, they support the end-to-end training process for busy med tech firms. Modern TMSs not only define and deliver digital training programmes (much like a traditional LMS) but also provide complete compliance oversight and reporting - all within a single platform.

Modern TMS capabilities within eQMS include:

• Training matrices mapped to roles and controlled quality documents
• Training due/overdue alerts and retraining workflows
• Audit-ready evidence linking training to SOP versions
• Verification of training effectiveness (tests, attestations, third-party assessments)
• Built-in learning optimisation: multimedia courses, quizzes, certification management

In short: a life-science TMS manages both training content and compliance oversight.

LMS vs. Life-Science TMS - what's the difference

Why the difference matters

Learning Management Systems (LMS) were originally built as teaching platforms - focused on delivering content and tracking progress. But modern training management solutions, when integrated into an eQMS, have evolved far beyond this administrative role.

Today, they not only include familiar LMS-style features, but also add the compliance, audit readiness, and role-based accountability regulators expect.

Conclusion

When evaluating a new eQMS, you should always ensure it includes robust training management capabilities. 

eQMS Platforms like Cognidox can connect quality processes directly to role-based training requirements — with automated reminders, gap detection, retraining workflows, and audit-ready reporting built in.

By embedding training within the QMS itself, companies can close the loop between document control, learning management, and training compliance.

The result?  Every employee remains competent to perform their duties, and organisations stay audit-ready at all times.