![D2L logo](https://zoftware-logo.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/download%20%2814%29-1672325484312.png)
D2L
by D2L
by D2L
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
We help make selecting a software for your business effortless, economical and efficient.
by D2L
by D2L
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
The typical implementation process for D2L software involves several key steps designed to ensure a smooth transition and effective use of the platform. While the specific duration can vary depending on the complexity and scale of the implementation, the process generally includes the following stages:
1. Planning and Preparation: This initial phase involves understanding the specific needs and goals of the organization, setting up a project plan, and preparing the necessary resources. This stage can take a few weeks to a couple of months.
2. Configuration and Customization: During this phase, the D2L platform is configured to meet the specific requirements of the organization. This includes setting up user roles, permissions, and integrating with other tools and systems. This stage can also take several weeks to a few months, depending on the level of customization required.
3. Data Migration: If the organization is transitioning from another system, data migration is a critical step. This involves transferring existing data, such as user information, course content, and historical records, to the new D2L platform. The duration of this phase depends on the volume and complexity of the data.
4. Training and Support: D2L provides training for administrators, instructors, and other users to ensure they are comfortable using the platform. This training can be conducted through workshops, webinars, and online resources. The training phase can last from a few days to several weeks.
5. Testing and Quality Assurance: Before the full rollout, the platform undergoes thorough testing to identify and resolve any issues. This includes user acceptance testing (UAT) to ensure the system meets the organization's requirements. This phase typically takes a few weeks.
6. Go-Live and Post-Implementation Support: Once testing is complete and any issues are resolved, the platform goes live. D2L provides ongoing support to address any post-implementation issues and to help users optimize their use of the platform. This support is continuous and can last as long as needed.
Overall, the entire implementation process for D2L software can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the specific needs and complexity of the organization. The process is designed to be flexible and scalable to accommodate different types of educational institutions and training organizations.
Yes, D2L Brightspace software can be highly customized to fit specific business needs. Here are several data points that illustrate the customization capabilities:
1. Custom Content Creation: D2L Brightspace allows organizations to create custom content tailored to their specific needs. This can be done using AI-powered authoring tools and a team of experienced instructional designers[13].
2. Integration with Existing Systems: D2L Brightspace can be integrated with various systems such as Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, and other enterprise tools. This integration helps automate manual tasks, improve data accuracy, and streamline processes[14].
3. Personalized Learning Paths: The platform supports the creation of personalized learning paths that can automatically release content based on learner achievements. This ensures that the training is relevant and engaging for each employee[10].
4. Skills Management and Upskilling: D2L offers tools for skills mapping and upskilling, which can be customized to align with the specific skill requirements of an organization. This includes developing custom action plans and career pathways[13].
5. Compliance Training: The platform can be customized to efficiently notify employees of required certification training and track completion rates, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
6. Onboarding Programs: D2L Brightspace can be tailored to create efficient onboarding programs that reduce the time it takes for new employees to become productive. Custom content can be developed specifically for the organization’s needs[10].
7. Learning Analytics: The platform provides centralized learning analytics that can be customized to offer insights into learner progress and outcomes. This helps organizations make data-driven decisions and maximize their return on investment (ROI)[13].
8. Extensibility Features: D2L Brightspace supports extensibility to third-party applications and services through the use of application ID-key pairs and synchronization with a central Keytool service. This allows for further customization and integration with other tools and services.
9. Custom Reporting: Organizations can access and present more detailed data through custom reporting features, which help keep leadership teams informed about the effectiveness of learning programs[13].
10. Flexible Learning Modalities: The platform supports various learning modalities, including competency-based and skill-based learning, which can be customized to fit the specific needs of different types of learners within an organization.
11. Enterprise-Level Customization: D2L Brightspace offers enterprise-level customization, allowing organizations to tailor the learning experience to their unique requirements. This includes customizing the user interface, workflows, and content delivery methods.
12. Support and Consulting Services: D2L provides consulting services to help organizations plan and execute their learning strategies. This includes personalized implementation plans and ongoing support to ensure the platform meets the specific needs of the business[10].
These data points demonstrate that D2L Brightspace is a flexible and customizable learning management system that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of various organizations.
Based on the search results, D2L Brightspace has several additional costs beyond the base software licensing fees, including:
Setup/Implementation Fees:
- Implementation fees range from $19,000 to $120,000 depending on the edition (Migrate, Enhance, Innovate) and whether it's for higher education or K-12
- Additional fees for implementing add-ons like Insights Dashboard ($1,300), Student Success System ($7,000), LeaP ($8,000), additional orgs ($4,000 per org)
- Premium SIS integration implementation is $18,500
Maintenance/Support Fees:
- Basic admin support is included, but higher tiers like Select (8% of software fees, min $2,000/year), Plus (15% of fees, min $3,000/year), and Platinum (30% of fees, min $45,000/year) have additional annual charges
- End user support is extra - $2.50 to $4.50 per user/FTE per year depending on tier
- Additional non-prod environment maintenance is $4,500 to $5,000 per year
- Premium SIS integration annual maintenance is $6,500 per year
- Authentication integration (LDAP, SSO, SAML) has a $500 per year maintenance fee
Other Potential Costs:
- Storage overages beyond 500MB per user are charged at $8/GB per year
- Travel expenses for onsite training/implementation are extra
- Custom development/integration work is billed at hourly consulting rates
- Additional approved support contacts beyond those included cost extra
- Creative services/courseware development subscriptions range from $33,000 to $165,000 per year
- Technical account manager subscriptions range from $33,000 to $275,000 per year
- Learning administration manager subscriptions from $33,000 to $300,000 per year
D2L Brightspace offers a comprehensive range of training and support options for new users to ensure they can effectively use the platform. Here are the key components:
Training Options
1. Brightspace Guided Training:
- Courses: These are online resources that provide short, interactive instructions for various Brightspace tools. They are accessible anytime and can be completed at the user's own pace. Topics include creating quizzes, managing users, and more.
- Webinars: Live sessions with a D2L Trainer who guides users through Brightspace features and answers questions. Users can join these webinars for free and access recordings of past sessions.
2. Self-Serve Webinars:
- These webinars allow users to create and customize their own training sessions. They cover a range of topics from basic navigation to advanced content creation and assessment.
3. Step-by-Step Training Resources:
- These resources are designed to help users get started with Brightspace, including navigating the platform, creating and delivering content, engaging with students, and managing assessments and feedback.
4. Quick Start Guides:
- Printable guides designed for both higher education instructors and K-12 teachers. These guides help users quickly set up their virtual classrooms, communicate with students, and share learning materials.
5. Brightspace Learning Center:
- A dedicated space offering various courses and resources for upskilling, including self-guided content and instructor-led training webinars[13].
Support Options
1. Customer Support Services:
- Administrator Support: Personalized help for administrators to resolve technical issues quickly and boost organizational productivity. This includes 24/7 environment monitoring and insights from support data.
- End User Support: Real-time, around-the-clock help in multiple languages. This includes a customized self-serve help portal and an AI-powered contextual help tool embedded within Brightspace.
2. Onboarding Services:
- Personalized onboarding services to help new users get up to speed quickly. This includes a people-first approach to ensure a smooth transition to using Brightspace.
3. Learning Services:
- Support for creating engaging learning experiences through proven course design and development approaches.
4. Optimization Services:
- Services aimed at helping users take their results to the next level by providing tailored attention and care.
5. Community and Knowledge Base:
- Access to a community of users and a comprehensive knowledge base with articles, guides, and FAQs to help users find answers to their questions.
6. Video Tutorials:
- A YouTube channel with video tutorials covering various aspects of using Brightspace, maintained by D2L[15].
These training and support options are designed to cater to the diverse needs of new users, ensuring they can effectively utilize D2L Brightspace for their educational and training purposes.
D2L Brightspace employs a comprehensive set of security measures to protect data, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Here are the key security measures in place:
Security Infrastructure and Practices
1. Secure Cloud Infrastructure:
- D2L uses secure cloud infrastructure to store data, reinforced by robust security best practices. This includes continuous monitoring and real-time security insights to protect data at all times.
2. Security in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC):
- Security is integrated into every stage of the SDLC, from design to deployment. This includes threat modeling, code reviews, and quality checks to ensure that all product changes are secure.
3. Authentication and Access Controls:
- D2L supports Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to enhance security. SSO reduces password fatigue and centralizes authentication, while MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of identification.
- Local Authentication is also supported, with customizable password rules and the option to implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for administrative roles.
Compliance and Certifications
1. ISO/IEC Certifications:
- D2L holds several ISO/IEC certifications, including ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27017, ISO/IEC 27018, and ISO/IEC 27701. These certifications demonstrate D2L's commitment to maintaining high standards of information security and privacy.
2. SOC Reports:
- D2L undergoes independent third-party examinations to produce SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II reports. These reports cover key compliance controls and objectives, including security, confidentiality, processing integrity, and availability.
3. Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) STAR:
- D2L participates in the CSA Security, Trust, and Assurance Registry (STAR) program, providing a self-assessment report that documents compliance with CSA best practices. This registry helps users assess D2L's security practices.
4. Regulatory Compliance:
- D2L ensures compliance with various international privacy and data protection regulations, including GDPR, FERPA, COPPA, PIPEDA, LGPD, CCPA, and others. This compliance ensures that D2L meets the legal requirements for data protection in different regions.
Data Protection Measures
1. Encryption:
- D2L employs appropriate encryption measures to protect data during transmission and storage. This includes encrypting sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access.
2. Access Restrictions:
- Access to personal information is restricted to D2L employees, contractors, and agents who need to know the information to process it on behalf of D2L. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations.
3. Physical Security:
- D2L implements physical security measures to guard against unauthorized access to systems where personal information is stored. This includes secure data centers and controlled access to facilities.
Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
1. Continuous Monitoring:
- D2L continuously monitors its systems for security threats and vulnerabilities. This includes real-time security insights and regular security assessments to identify and mitigate risks.
2. Regular Audits and Assessments:
- D2L conducts regular internal reviews and independent third-party audits to ensure compliance with security standards and best practices. These audits help identify areas for improvement and ensure ongoing security.
3. Employee Training:
- D2L trains its employees on privacy and security principles to ensure compliance with internal security policies. Regular tests are conducted to prepare employees to respond to and protect data in any situation.
Communication and Transparency
1. Open Communication:
- D2L maintains open communication with customers about the security of its products. This includes clear documentation of security features, updates, and any necessary precautions or issues that require customer action.
2. Privacy by Design:
- D2L follows the principles of Privacy by Design, ensuring that privacy and security are integral aspects of the product development process. This approach helps protect user data from the outset.
These measures collectively ensure that D2L Brightspace provides a secure environment for managing and protecting data, adhering to industry standards and best practices.
D2L Brightspace releases updates on a continuous monthly schedule, a process known as Continuous Delivery (CD). Here are the key details about how these updates are managed:
Frequency of Updates
1. Monthly Updates:
- D2L Brightspace follows a continuous monthly update schedule, ensuring that new features, improvements, and security patches are regularly applied without system downtime[10][13].
Management of Updates
1. Wave Schedule:
- Updates are deployed according to a wave schedule, which is divided into different waves based on geographic regions and specific client needs. For example, Wave 3 Americas, Wave 4 APAC, and Wave 5 Europe have specific days allocated for updates.
2. Continuous Delivery Process:
- The Continuous Delivery model allows D2L to deliver incremental updates rapidly and efficiently. This model supports increased collaboration with clients and enables the software to adapt based on user feedback and needs.
3. Change Management Policy:
- D2L has a structured change management policy for Brightspace Data Sets (BDS). This includes a four-month adoption period for major version releases, during which clients can opt-in to the new version. Minor versions are automatically adopted with each release.
4. High Impact Changes Timeline:
- D2L provides a timeline for high-impact changes, including changes in default behavior and removal of functionality. This timeline is updated monthly and provides at least 12 months' notice for any planned high-impact removals.
5. Release Notes and Notifications:
- Detailed release notes are published monthly, documenting all changes, new features, and improvements. Clients can subscribe to receive notifications about these updates[15].
6. Hotfixes:
- In addition to regular updates, hotfixes are scheduled based on the Continuous Delivery update schedule. Hotfixes are deployed on specific days of the week, depending on the client's wave schedule.
7. Client Communication:
- D2L maintains open communication with clients about upcoming changes and updates. This includes providing detailed documentation, release notes, and a known issues list to keep clients informed[13][14].
Example of Update Management
- Wave Schedule Example:
- Monday: Wave 3 Americas, Wave 5 Americas (if the CD update is on Wednesday with a 9:00 PM start)
- Tuesday: Wave 3 and 4 APAC, Wave 3 and 4 Europe, Wave 4 Americas (if the CD update is on Thursday or Friday), Wave 5 Americas (if the CD update is on Wednesday with a 6:00 PM start)
- Wednesday: Wave 5 APAC, Wave 5 Europe, Wave 5 Americas (if the CD update is on Thursday or Friday).
These structured processes ensure that D2L Brightspace remains up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements while minimizing disruption to users.
Based on the search results, here are the key points regarding D2L Brightspace's policy on data ownership and portability:
Data Ownership
- D2L's policy clearly states that clients (educational institutions, organizations, etc.) own and retain all right, title, and interest in any information, data, results, or other materials uploaded or provided to the Brightspace platform. This is referred to as "Client Data".
- D2L makes no claim of ownership over the Client Data. Clients grant D2L permission to use the Client Data only to the extent required to provide and perform the Brightspace services under their agreement with D2L.
- If a client provides D2L with materials they own or control, the client grants D2L the necessary rights and licenses to fulfill its obligations in providing the Brightspace services.
Data Portability
- D2L supports the principle of data portability as required under regulations like the GDPR. Users have the right to receive their personal data in a portable format.
- Within Brightspace, users can access and export much of their own data like course content materials, grades, user profiles, etc. using built-in export tools.
- If users require additional support for data export beyond the self-serve tools, D2L can provide data export services for a fee on a time and materials basis.
- D2L allows clients to export course content in standard packaged formats as well as export specific data elements like grades when needed.
- However, D2L notes that certain data like achievements and grades are not directly transferable to other schools/organizations, as that data is contextual to the specific Brightspace instance.
D2L Brightspace provides flexible terms for scaling up or down to accommodate changing organizational needs. Here are the key points regarding these terms:
Scaling Up
1. Adding Users and Courses:
- Organizations can add more users and courses as their needs grow. This can be managed through the Bulk Course Create (BCC) and Bulk Course Export (BCE) tools, which allow administrators to create and manage multiple courses efficiently.
2. Customizable Organizational Hierarchy:
- The platform supports a customizable organizational hierarchy, allowing organizations to add new departments, course templates, and sections as needed. This flexibility ensures that the system can grow with the organization.
3. Additional Features and Tools:
- Organizations can scale up by integrating additional features and tools such as the Brightspace Data Platform (BDP) for advanced analytics, Brightspace LeaP for personalized learning paths, and the Student Success System (S3) for predictive analytics.
4. Increased Storage and Performance:
- As the number of users and the amount of data increase, organizations can request additional storage and performance enhancements to ensure the platform continues to operate smoothly.
Scaling Down
1. Reducing Users and Courses:
- If the organizational needs decrease, administrators can reduce the number of users and courses. This can be managed through the same bulk tools used for scaling up, ensuring that the system remains efficient and cost-effective.
2. Adjusting Organizational Hierarchy:
- The organizational hierarchy can be adjusted to remove or consolidate departments, course templates, and sections, reflecting the current needs of the organization.
3. Disabling Unused Features:
- Organizations can disable or remove features and tools that are no longer needed, helping to streamline the platform and reduce costs. This includes turning off specific integrations or tools that are not in use.
Contract and Licensing Adjustments
1. Flexible Licensing:
- D2L offers flexible licensing options that allow organizations to adjust their licenses based on the number of users and the features they need. This ensures that organizations only pay for what they use.
2. Support for Customization:
- D2L provides support for customizing the platform to meet specific needs, whether scaling up or down. This includes consulting services to help plan and implement changes effectively.
3. Regular Reviews and Adjustments:
- Organizations can conduct regular reviews of their usage and adjust their contracts and licenses accordingly. This ensures that the platform remains aligned with their current needs and budget.
Technical and Administrative Support
1. Ongoing Support:
- D2L offers ongoing technical and administrative support to help organizations manage changes in their needs. This includes assistance with scaling up or down, ensuring that the platform continues to meet organizational requirements.
2. Training and Resources:
- D2L provides training and resources to help administrators and users adapt to changes in the platform, whether scaling up or down. This ensures a smooth transition and continued effective use of the platform.
These terms ensure that D2L Brightspace can flexibly accommodate the changing needs of organizations, providing the necessary tools and support to scale the platform up or down as required.
The terms and conditions for contract renewal and cancellation for D2L Brightspace are detailed in various documents and agreements. Here are the key points:
Contract Renewal
1. Automatic Renewal:
- Contracts may include provisions for automatic renewal unless either party provides notice of non-renewal. For example, the University System of Georgia renewed their contract with D2L for another year, indicating that such renewals are common practice[12].
2. Renewal Periods:
- Contracts can be renewed for specific periods, such as one-year or multi-year terms. For instance, the University of Calgary and McGill University renewed their contracts for another five years[12].
3. Notice Period:
- Clients are typically required to provide notice if they do not wish to renew the contract. The specific notice period can vary and should be detailed in the individual contract agreements.
Contract Cancellation
1. Termination for Convenience:
- Clients may have the option to terminate the agreement for convenience, usually with a specified notice period. For example, in the D2L Trial Terms of Service, clients can terminate the agreement at any time prior to the expiration of the evaluation period by relinquishing access to the services.
2. Termination for Cause:
- Either party may terminate the agreement for cause if the other party breaches any material term of the agreement and fails to cure the breach within a specified period after receiving notice. This is a standard clause in many service agreements.
3. Payment Obligations:
- Upon termination, clients are typically required to pay for all services rendered up to the termination date. If the termination is due to a breach by the client, additional fees and charges may become due immediately.
4. Data Retention and Deletion:
- After termination, D2L will delete, destroy, or render inaccessible client files and data residing on their servers 30 days after termination, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Clients can export their data during this period using the provided tools[10].
5. Refunds and Credits:
- Refunds for cancellations are subject to specific conditions. For example, cancellations received after a certain date may not be eligible for a refund, as stated in the terms for D2L Fusion events. Additionally, clients may receive credits for downtime if service availability falls below the guaranteed level[10].
6. Professional Services Cancellation:
- Clients must provide at least five days' written notice prior to canceling any scheduled professional services. If such notice is not provided, D2L may charge for the forfeited hours.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
1. Governing Law:
- The agreements are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Legal actions arising from the agreement must be filed in the courts of Ontario.
2. Dispute Resolution:
- Any amendments, modifications, or waivers of the agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. Disputes are typically resolved through negotiation, and if necessary, through legal action in the specified jurisdiction.
Additional Terms
1. Assignment:
- Neither party may assign their rights or obligations under the agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except to an affiliate or successor by operation of law.
2. Service Level Agreements (SLA):
- D2L commits to a 99.9% uptime SLA. If downtime occurs, clients may be entitled to credits on their cloud hosting fees, which are reflected on the next annual invoice or refunded if the agreement is terminating[10].
These terms and conditions ensure that both D2L and its clients have clear guidelines for renewing or canceling contracts, managing data, and resolving disputes.
D2L Brightspace meets a wide range of compliance standards to ensure the security, privacy, and accessibility of its platform. Here are the key compliance standards that D2L Brightspace adheres to:
Security and Privacy Compliance
1. ISO/IEC 27001:
- This standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS).
2. ISO/IEC 27017:
- Provides guidelines for information security controls applicable to the provision and use of cloud services, offering additional implementation guidance for relevant controls specified in ISO/IEC 27002.
3. ISO/IEC 27018:
- Establishes commonly accepted control objectives, controls, and guidelines for implementing measures to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in accordance with the privacy principles in ISO/IEC 29100 for the public cloud computing environment.
4. ISO/IEC 27701:
- Specifies requirements and provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS). This standard is an extension to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 for privacy management within the context of the organization.
5. SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II:
- These Service Organization Control (SOC) reports are independent third-party examination reports that demonstrate how D2L achieves key compliance controls and objectives. They cover the Trusted Services Principles: Security, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, and Availability.
6. Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Security, Trust, and Assurance Registry (STAR):
- D2L participates in the CSA STAR program, which includes a self-assessment report documenting compliance with CSA published best practices. This registry helps users assess D2L's specific security practices.
7. TX-RAMP:
- The Texas Risk and Authorization Management Program (TX-RAMP) provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of cloud computing services used by Texas state agencies, including public higher education institutions.
Accessibility Compliance
1. WCAG 2.2:
- D2L Brightspace conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Levels A, AA, and AAA. These guidelines ensure that web content is accessible to people with disabilities.
2. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act:
- Compliance with Section 508 ensures that electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public.
3. EN 301 549:
- This European standard specifies the accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, ensuring they are accessible to people with disabilities.
Data Privacy Compliance
1. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation):
- D2L Brightspace complies with the GDPR, which is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union and the European Economic Area.
2. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act):
- Compliance with FERPA ensures the protection of students' education records and personally identifiable information.
3. COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act):
- This act imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, ensuring their data is protected.
4. PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act):
- This Canadian law governs how private sector organizations collect, use, and disclose personal information in the course of commercial business.
5. LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law):
- The LGPD regulates the processing of personal data in Brazil, ensuring the protection of individuals' privacy and personal data.
6. CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act):
- This act enhances privacy rights and consumer protection for residents of California, USA.
7. Australian Privacy Act of 1988:
- This act regulates the handling of personal information about individuals, ensuring their privacy is protected.
8. Singapore Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA):
- This act governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data by organizations in Singapore.
Additional Certifications and Standards
1. IMS Global Certifications:
- D2L Brightspace has certifications for various IMS Global standards, including LTI Advantage Complete, Caliper Analytics, and OneRoster, ensuring interoperability and data exchange standards are met.
These compliance standards demonstrate D2L Brightspace's commitment to maintaining high levels of security, privacy, and accessibility, ensuring that the platform meets the needs of diverse users and adheres to international regulations and best practices.
By D2L