Edinburgh, UK – On Thursday, September 11, 2025, UK colleges and universities gained streamlined access to a proven, scalable, and engaging learning platform. The award-winning Open LMS, part of Learning Technologies Group Ltd (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.
This appointment, which was facilitated by APUC (Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges), enables institutions across the UK to procure Open LMS through a fully compliant and pre-approved route. This offers transparent pricing and unlocks access to a modern digital learning environment designed for scale, innovation, and measurable learner impact.
Open LMS, delivered commercially in the UK by 186 Digital, provides a fully managed platform hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also offers robust analytics, certified compliance, and sector-aligned support. Additionally, institutions can benefit from the integration of Rocket Learning Rewards, an engagement platform that rewards learner commitment and participation through real-world incentives.
“We are proud to partner with 186 Digital to bring powerful infrastructure, thoughtful design, and learner-centred features to institutions looking for sustainable innovation,” said Bill Conran, Head of Sales, Business Development & Strategy at Open LMS. “This appointment to the APUC Framework reflects our shared commitment to providing UK education with secure, scalable, and forward-thinking learning platforms.”
Myles Thies, Chief Executive Officer at 186 Digital, also expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “UK universities and colleges now have access to a world-class LMS backed by global expertise and local support. 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 the 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 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, part of Learning Technologies Group’s award-winning group of specialist learning technology and talent management businesses, is a highly configurable learning management system (LMS) that scales to an organisation’s goals. It helps customers from various industries and 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. Learn more about Open LMS at www.openlms.net.
About 186 Digital
186 Digital, the official UK sales and account management partner for Open LMS, supports institutions throughout the procurement and implementation journey. It provides local expertise, sector insight, and dedicated relationship management.
As a trusted EdTech partner across higher education, further education, and corporate training, 186 Digital specialises in helping organisations modernise their learning infrastructure with minimal risk and maximum impact. Learn more about 186 Digital at 186digital.com.