by Jim Lundy
A shift is occurring in many technology markets. It started years ago with the concept of what is often referred to as “roll-ups.” Oracle was one of the market roll-ups pioneers, and in the last ten years, OpenText has emerged to become the consolidator in Enterprise Content Management (ECM).
This trend is also visible in learning. This blog highlights a new firm that you probably have never heard of: Learning Technologies Group or LTG.
Who Is LTG?
LTG was formed in 2013 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Its mission is to consolidate the learning and talent management markets and it is on a fast track to accomplish that. LTG has acquired six firms since its formation in 2013. Most notably, it acquired NetDimensions in 2017.
Two key traits of a successful consolidator are retention and profitability. LTG appears to be on track on both fronts with NetDimensions. The success from that acquisition has fueled LTG’s appetite for more.
LTG to Acquire PeopleFluent
LTG announced its intent to buy PeopleFluent on April 24th, 2018 for U.S. $150 million. This represents one of its largest deals to date and provides LTG with a modern video and social learning offering, along with a complete talent suite.
With a strong presence in North America, PeopleFluent will compliment the growing install base that NetDimensions has in Europe and Asia. While the deal is not closed yet, we estimate it will close this quarter.
Learning Is Back and LTG Is a Firm to Watch
The PeopleFluent deal really puts LTG on the map as a firm to watch. It also signifies the return of learning as a must-have technology stack that is moving beyond the LMS. Aragon refers to this shift as modern learning and we feel video learning will be a catalyst for the growing demand for user-generated content in the enterprise.
Thanks to the PeopleFluent acquisition, LTG just got a very strong modern learning platform. There is more to LTG and we will be following it as it continues to consolidate the market.