Open LMS Appointed to Scotland’s APUC Framework for Proprietary Virtual Learning Environments

Open LMS, an award-winning open-source learning platform and part of Learning Technologies Group (LTG), has been appointed to the Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC) Framework under ITS1065 AP – Lot 1: Proprietary VLE Systems, with LTG serving as the contracting entity.

APUC (Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges) is the procurement centre of expertise and procurement consortium for, and jointly owned by, all universities and colleges in Scotland, working in partnership with its members to encourage innovation, best practice, collaboration, and value delivery.

This appointment enables institutions across the United Kingdom to procure Open LMS through a fully compliant, pre-approved route – offering transparent pricing and unlocking access to a modern digital learning environment designed for scale, innovation, and measurable learner impact.

Delivered commercially in the UK by 186 Digital, Open LMS provides a fully managed platform hosted on AWS, with robust analytics, certified compliance, and sector-aligned support. Institutions can also benefit from the integration of Rocket Learning Rewards, an engagement platform that rewards learner commitment and participation through real-world incentives.

“This appointment to the APUC Framework reflects our shared commitment to providing UK education with secure, scalable, and forward-thinking learning platforms,” said Bill Conran, Head of Sales, Business Development & Strategy at Open LMS. “We are proud to partner with 186 Digital to bring powerful infrastructure, thoughtful design, and learner-centred features to institutions looking for sustainable innovation.”

“UK universities and colleges now have access to a world-class LMS backed by global expertise and local support,” said Myles Thies, Chief Executive Officer at 186 Digital. “This is not just a procurement win – it is a chance to rethink the rapidly evolving student experience and enable institutions to scale digital teaching and learning with confidence.”

With continued downward pressure on public funding and institutional budgets, many universities are re-evaluating the cost and complexity of legacy VLE platforms. Open LMS offers a modern alternative, one that reduces operational burden, promotes innovation in an increasingly AI-dominated world, and delivers real cost efficiencies over time. By leveraging the APUC Framework, institutions can confidently transition to a platform that aligns with proactive digital strategy, genuine learner engagement, and lower total cost of ownership.

Open LMS is used by more than 1,000 institutions and organisations worldwide, including leading universities across the UK, Europe, and Australia. Its higher and further education clients include Royal College of Arts, Middlesex University, Waseda University, University of Northwestern St Paul, Southern Oregon University, Regent Business School, as well as several campuses within the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCCS). Its appointment to the APUC framework positions it as a premium alternative for UK institutions seeking to modernise their learning infrastructure without compromise.

About Open LMS

Open LMS is a highly configurable learning management system (LMS) that scales to your organisation’s goals. We help customers all over the world, from industry to higher education, by providing a familiar experience for learners, cutting-edge ecosystem tools, in-depth reporting and data, in-app authoring, learning pathways, and compliance training and reporting. As the world’s largest commercial provider of hosting and support services for open-source Moodle™, Open LMS is supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and helps organisations deliver great learning experiences without complexities. Open LMS is part of Learning Technologies Group’s award-winning group of specialist learning technology and talent management businesses. Learn more about Open LMS at openlms.net.

About 186 Digital

186 Digital is the official UK sales and account management partner for Open LMS. We support institutions throughout the procurement and implementation journey, providing local expertise, sector insight, and dedicated relationship management. As a trusted EdTech partner across higher education, further education, and corporate training, we specialise in helping organisations modernise their learning infrastructure with minimal risk and maximum impact.