How London College of Music Exam Board Made The Move To Automation

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This series of blog posts explores how versatile a training management system can be and how automation software can benefit a range of organisations. We have explored how University of the Arts have increased profits, how Delta KN have improved eLearning delivery and how Lagoon Watersports have capitalised on seasonal business. This post explores how the London College of Music Exam Board uses software to schedule and manage over 90,000 exam bookings annually.

To find out more about how our software has helped 9 other companies to reduce admin and increase profits, download 10 ways to use a TMS. Continue reading this post to explore how LCM have simplified and streamlined their global examinations process. 

Who are London College of Music Exam Board (LCM)?

As part of the University of West London, LCM is an international examinations board offering graded and diploma qualifications in music, drama and communication. Examinations are held across a large network of exam centres worldwide, and are accredited by the University of West London.

University of West London savings with accessplanit training management software

Why did they need a training management system?

LCM needed a training management system to automate aspects of their examination processes from the booking process right up to the provision of exam results. Before using a training management system, their processes were paper-based and manual administration wasted a lot of time.

There was a lack of consistency and they faced huge risks associated with losing documents or dealing with duplication errors. With an automated system they now manage over 90,000 bookings annually and all payments are made instantly using online booking. This reduces manual administration of creating invoices and chasing payments.

“The new system impacts on every aspect of our business. We have moved from a paper based system with postal communication to a fully automated process which keeps everyone informed. Depending on timetables and availability, a six week cycle has been reduced to days.” Mary Cameron, Project Manager, London College of Music Exam Board

The accessplanit solution

Since using the system additional examination centres have been added worldwide and extended to Kazakhstan. Over 90,000 bookings are taken annually using the system and all payments are made instantly using online booking, reducing any need for cheque clearing. Automation of processes includes:

  • Online booking is undertaken directly by the candidate, teacher or music school as a block booking.
  • Full list of examination centres worldwide with qualifications available on dropdown menu.
  • Actions are undertaken in a staged process from place holding and examiner availability through to payment and result confirmation.
  • All parties involved have specified system access to ensure data security and flow of automated processes.
  • Examiners worldwide have portal access to a calendar to highlight their availability.
  • The LCM Admin Team have full access to schedule candidates, centres and examiners and use this visibility to plan geographically to maximise efficiencies.
  • Examination grades are entered directly into the system by the examiners, allowing the Team to provide candidates and teachers with fast results following verification.

What are some of the key benefits?

  • Speed – using an automated system has dramatically reduced time spent on the end to end journey from booking to exam results.
  • Error reduction – LCM no longer have to worry about spelling errors or risk of information lost as everything is kept securely online.
  • Document Generation – attendance notices, report forms and time tables can be generated and downloaded by examination centres and the LCM admin team.
  • Certification – names are generated by the system database to be printed on formal certificates which are posted to delegates.

After implementing a training management system, LCM have saved a wealth of time. They have been able to increase productivity and efficiency by automating huge aspects of their processes.

To find out more about the key benefits of training management software, download the 10 ways to use a TMS eBook.

10 ways to use a TMS

Other articles in this series:

How London Leisure College Use accessplanit Software

How Delta KN Use accessplanit Software For eLearning Delivery

How Lagoon Watersports Use accessplanit Software To Capitalise On Seasonal Business

How Northamptonshire Police Use accessplanit Software