We provide, implement and support a range of tools and services based around the IMS Learning Information Services (LIS) specification (v2.01).

The IMS LIS specification describes how systems should share data about learning. We can provide advice and consultancy to anyone planning to implement IMS LIS.

Learning Management Platforms, Student Record Systems and Personnel Systems regularly need to exchange information with each other about people (including groups and memberships), courses and learning outcomes. We have a range of ready made tool to aid integration between these systems. Our products were originally developed by Psydev Ltd in close collaboration with the IMS Global Learning Consortium, the lead organisation behind the LIS specification. To find out more please read on.

LIS Gateway

The LIS Gateway acts as a middleware component between systems. LIS protocol calls are handled internally in the LIS Gateway. An API enables developers to integrate home-grown and legacy systems using LIS through the use of adapters tailored to the local implementation. Data mapping issues are handled via use of neutral data structures and a driver based architecture. The Gateway ships with command line clients and is available as an easy to install virtual machine. The Gateway is certified as conformant to LIS v2.0.1.

Target audience

Institutions wishing to use IMS LIS to integrate systems, or vendors wishing to LIS-enable their systems.

Users and projects

  • Instructure – for their product Canvas
  • Chalk and Wire – for their EPortfolio product

Resources

LIS Gateway for Moodle

Our LIS Gateway product described above uses a generic SQL approach to integration with a range of Learning Management Systems. LIS Gateway for Moodle is a specific version of the gateway, configured to integrate Moodle with any Student Information System which supports the LIS specification, for example PeopleSoft. It has been certified against Moodle v2.2.3, 2.2.5 and 2.6.x. The product can be installed locally or as a cloud based service.

Target audience

Intuitions using Moodle who wish to use IMS LIS to integrate Moodle with other systems

Users and projects

  • North Dakota University
  • MASDAR

Resources

Bulk Data Synchronisation Agent

The IMS LIS specification is made up of six separate specifications, one of which deals with Bulk Data Management Exchange. Our Bulk Data Synchronisation Agent is a stand alone product which allows system vendors to add support for this part of the specification to any LIS enabled system.

Target audience

Vendors wishing to add LIS Bulk Data Exchange to their systems.

Users and projects

  • Instructure
  • North Dakota University