The e-learning companies USA, have so many decisions to make when it comes to using authoring tools. They can use the tools depending on their need for the content. However, since the tools cost so much, such organizations have to assess the future requirements of such software also.

Therefore, such companies need to evaluate, what kind of clients they will acquire in the future; their demographics, and their choice of devices. For example, if the learners live in remote areas, then the content needs to be created in the local dialect also. Hence, the e-learning authoring tool must have regional-looking vector characters in its asset library.

Conversion of PowerPoint slides: A lot of companies have their existing eLearning content in the form of PowerPoint slides. So, they may ask the e-learning companies USA to use this content too. There should be PowerPoint support in the tool so that such slides can be imported and converted into a SCORM-based course. The authoring tool should be able to retain all the PPT features such as slide transitions, animations, etc.

The target audience might want a course to be available offline, so the authoring tool must support it through SCORM, which means that the content is accessible on even an offline LMS. They might also like to see the course on a business’s website, hence it must be uploaded on a CMS like WordPress.

So the e-learning companies USA must check that the course publishing choices of an authoring tool include SCORM compliance (for LMS) and CMS compatibility.

Ability to create accessible content: Apart from that, the tool must have a text-to-speech facility so that visually impaired learners can be accommodated. If such a facility is not provided, then the company needs to record voiceovers, which is costly. It must also have the closed captions option so that the content is accessible for hearing-impaired learners who can read them.

Localization and coding: Therefore, before buying any authoring tool, check the target audience. The tools should be used for creating videos and not just slides. It should also have localization abilities so that the customers in different locations can understand the content. Some authoring tools also support coding in javascript so that special animation effects can be created, so the coding ability should be part of an authoring tool.

Vendor support: It’s also important to check the costs of the authoring tool. It’s because once you have paid for the license the authoring tool company can charge for an additional author or it can charge on a project basis. It can be exorbitant for e-learning companies USA to get an authoring tool that charges on a per audience basis. So, if such charges are there, you must know about them in advance. Although all vendors provide support documentation, online help is also crucial. This means, there should be online forums where the users of such tools in e-learning companies USA can post their queries.

Video tutorials should be there to learn about specific parts of the software. Apart from that, the vendors should provide on-site training sessions as per the availability of Multimedia Developers of e-learning companies USA even after installation. You must also inquire about the installation options, whether, it can be installed on a local computer or accessible through the vendor’s portal. Moreover, the authoring tool must be usable on an operating system such as MAC which is generally used by graphic designers who also double up as multimedia developers in a company.

Editable graphics: Any authoring tool must have facilities for graphic editing which means the vectors in its libraries should be downloadable in a .ai . or a .eps format so that a graphic designer can easily customize them with tools such as Adobe Illustrator.

Alternatively, the tool must have inbuilt graphic editing facilities. Also, the content should be editable quicker. Moreover, the tool must have a lot of elements like navigation buttons, quizzes, and animations that can be edited as per the need. When the authoring tool does not allow such customization, the multimedia developers have to create them, which is a waste of time. They have to create such dynamic animations on Adobe tools which have tough learning curves.

Sometimes, the multimedia developers might not be able to develop such skills, forcing eLearning companies to hire dedicated specialists at high costs. However, the project-based budget might not allow such hiring. Hence e-learning companies USA must refrain from buying authoring tools that don’t have editable elements.