A very common question is whether OrasiLabs is a Learning Management System (LMS) and whether it replaces existing LMS functionality.  In short, the answer is No.  That is, OrasiLabs is not specifically designed to replace your LMS but would normally work with it instead.  However, this is a complex question that requires a bit of explanation.  So, let's break it down a little.

First, it's important to understand what a Learning Management System (LMS) is designed to do.  LMS software is normally focused on defining a curriculum, managing student enrollment, and recording completion status.  It is most often used by organizations to track student participation in training programs and to manage training certification and/or compliance.

LMS software can sometimes also deliver content for "presentation only" classes.  So, for example, you might be able to add videos for students watch and then track assessments the students take.

OrasiLabs, on the other hand, is a virtual class lab environment manager.  It was designed to solve the problem of creating expensive labs to support a training class when hands-on practices are needed.  Rather than having to build, install, and configure training machines for each student, OrasiLabs quickly deploys dedicated student labs based on a template.  All OrasiLabs resources are cloud-based and can be accessed from anywhere through an internet connection.

Specifically, you need OrasiLabs if your class includes hands-on activities that require a "student sandbox".  OrasiLabs is perfect to support both virtual training and "face to face" instructor-led classes.  It can also be used to deliver on-demand training where the students control the pace or even workshop events where a large number of labs is needed for just a short time.  And, because it uses cloud resources, the cost of deploying labs with OrasiLabs is usually a fraction of what it would take to deploy physical machines.

Yes.  While there is some overlap between the two categories of tools, there are also unique advantages to each.  In short, anyone who needs to deliver hands-on software training would likely need both.  So, there is no reason to discard your existing LMS if you'd like to continue to use it.

In this scenario, the LMS would likely be used to define the curriculum and enroll students.  Then, when a hands-on activity is required, that’s where OrasiLabs comes in.  OrasiLabs would be used launch dedicated software environments for each participant.  Instructors use the OrasiLabs environments to teach and students use them to practice.

For OrasiLabs instructor-led classes, instructors also have the ability to watch student progress in a real-time “Over The Shoulder” view.  Students can electronically "raise their hand" when they need help, and instructors can even take control of a student machine if a student gets stuck.

Here’s a picture that visualizes how an LMS and OrasiLabs would work together.  As you can see, there is some overlap between the two.  So, exactly how you build your process will vary based on your preferences.  The diagram also shows how traditional web conferencing applications (like Zoom or Webex) compare.

Technically, yes.  As you can see from the diagram above, OrasiLabs can define classes, enroll students, and even track participation.  So, if you don't have an LMS or want to discontinue using your LMS, OrasiLabs might be able to provide all of the functionality you need.  It would depend, of course, on your specific requirements.

So, as you can see, whether you need OrasiLabs or an LMS is a complex question that depends on what you're trying to accomplish.  However, the short answer is, while you can easily use OrasiLabs without an LMS, you can also integrate the two into a cohesive process for hands-on training.