Choosing between Cadmium’s Elevate LMS and Maple LMS comes down to which is the best fit for your association. While both are purpose-built for association learning, they differ in their core technology.
Maple LMS, for example, is Salesforce-native, while Elevate LMS is part of the Cadmium ecosystem, so the decision often extends beyond the software’s capabilities to focus on existing infrastructure. That said, there are some key differences worth considering.
What Makes Elevate and Maple LMS Different for Associations?
The primary difference between Elevate vs. Maple LMS is that while Elevate is part of the Cadmium suite, with strong features for managing association events of all kinds, Maple LMS is an AI-powered add-on within Salesforce intended as an extension of the association management system (AMS).
Maple LMS uses the Salesforce framework to sync member profiles, learning, and certifications to the AMS.
Elevate, on the other hand, is a self-contained learning ecosystem within the Cadmium suite, offering robust features for associations to manage conferences, live events, and educational content, with association-centric features and revenue-generation tools to drive course monetization.
Which Type of Organization Does Each Platform Best Fit?
Elevate is best suited to associations heavily focused on live learning events, conferences with a strong CE component, and content monetization.
For trade organizations, medical and scientific associations, and content-centric nonprofits that need a simple, user-centric interface, Elevate is an excellent choice.
Maple LMS is best for Salesforce-native organizations that prioritize real-time data sync over APIs. It’s best for any organization whose member database resides in Salesforce, high-stakes credentialing bodies with multi-tiered certification paths, and global organizations requiring multi-language support and localized compliance.
How Do Elevate and Maple LMS Handle AMS Integration?
Maple LMS integrates natively with Fonteva within Salesforce, as well as with iMIS, Protech, and several other widely used association management systems.
As part of the Cadmium suite of products, Elevate connects with many AMS platforms, either natively or via APIs, to enable a unified experience.
Does Your Existing AMS or CRM Determine the Right LMS Fit?
While your AMS or CRM isn’t the only factor in deciding between Maple LMS and Elevate, it is a strong indicator of fit. The LMS you choose must integrate with your existing systems to ensure data visibility throughout the membership and learning lifecycle.
Here’s why your AMS matters in terms of LMS selection:
- Out-of-the-box data syncing is critical as custom development can be costly.
- Your AMS defines access permissions, pricing, discounts, etc., so the LMS needs to connect to it to avoid managing this information manually.
- For accurate CE/CME tracking, AMS/LMS connections are vital to ensure credits are granted and reported accurately.
- Disconnected tools impact the member experience by introducing accreditation delays and creating additional work for staff due to the need for manual data entry.
During your research, always start with your AMS and evaluate the LMS based on connectivity.
What Learning and Engagement Features Set These Two Platforms Apart?
For associations running learning events, Elevate has no equal.
Elevate converts event and webinar content into on-demand courses and offers robust functionality for tracking attendance and CE credits in real time during the event.
Elevate’s user-friendly mobile interface replicates the in-person experience exceedingly well, bridging the gap between in-person and virtual events.
Because Maple LMS is AI-driven and built on the Salesforce platform, it integrates with other tools in the ecosystem to build an infrastructure tailored to the association’s precise needs.
Maple LMS offers a scalable proctoring system that can handle up to 10,000 candidates at once for compliance-dependent certifications and exams, which may be a concern for large global professional associations.
Which Platform Better Supports Live, Hybrid, and On-Demand Events?
Elevate is a purpose-built LMS for associations running events. It can convert any livestreamed session or webinar into multi-module, on-demand courses to extend the value of in-person learning events. Monetization is built into Elevate, enabling multiple pricing tiers for early birds, members, and non-members.
As part of the Cadmium suite of solutions, Elevate connects to Eventscribe, an event management system, to address the needs and concerns of association and nonprofit events.
While Maple LMS shares many of the same features, it requires deep Salesforce connectivity to enable them. Elevate natively offers these features without requiring additional infrastructure.
How Do Elevate and Maple LMS Support Non-Dues Revenue Growth?
Key strategies for non-dues revenue growth revolve around paid certifications, CE, course bundling, and sponsorships.
Maple LMS uses an AI engine to provide recommendations and offers offline, live, and on-demand delivery options to drive course monetization. They also enable monetization of educational spaces through sponsorships or targeted ads, and microsites that can be white-labeled for third parties and corporate chapters to generate additional revenue streams.
Elevate focuses on a unified approach that connects educational content with live or virtual learning events and conferences via Eventscribe. Eventscribe connectivity enables associations to instantly convert in-person sessions into on-demand learning products, with customizable learning pathways that generate revenue from members and non-members alike.
Which LMS Is the Right Choice for Your Organization?
As association learning management system comparisons go, Elevate vs. Maple LMS might be the most cut-and-dried. While both systems support scalable learning and monetization, Maple LMS is likely a better fit for Salesforce-native organizations.
To learn more about Elevate and how it can help your association achieve its learning management goals, request a demo today.
