Knowledge Management System Examples – What are the different types of KMS?

Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) come in various types, depending on the purpose they serve and the kind of knowledge they handle. Broadly, there are six main types of knowledge management systems:

1. Document Management Systems (DMS). A DMS will store, manage and track electronic systems. They focus on explicit knowledge, such as pdfs, presentations and word documents, rather than the capture of tacit knowledge.

Examples: Microsoft SharePoint, Google Drive, Dropbox Business

2. Content Management Systems (CMS). A CMS will create, manage, and publish content (often web-based), using structured content such as web pages, articles, and blogs.

Examples: WordPress, Drupal, Joomla.

3. Wikis. A wiki is a central repository for articles, FAQs, and guides, focused on structured, codified knowledge (how-to articles, SOPs).

Examples: Confluence, Notion, MediaWiki, Zendesk Guide.

4. Collaboration & Social Tools which facilitate knowledge sharing through communication. These platforms capture tacit knowledge through discussions and informal exchange.

Examples: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Yammer, Google Chat.

5. Learning Management Systems (LMS) which deliver training and track learning progress. Course management, quizzes and  certifications feature heavily.

Examples: Moodle, Blackboard, TalentLMS, SAP Litmos.

6. A Knowledge Management System (KMS). A KMS is often better than standalone tools like a wiki, LMS, DMS, or CMS because it integrates multiple capabilities to manage both explicit and tacit knowledge across an organisation.

KMS combines the features of:  Wikis (structured documentation),  DMS (document storage and retrieval),  LMS (training and learning) and  CMS (content publishing).  Instead of using separate tools for each need, a KMS centralises everything—making it easier to find, manage, and use knowledge.

A KMS will provide intelligent search, which is far more powerful than a basic wiki or DMS, where search is usually limited to titles or exact matches. A robust Knowledge Management System, such as Universal Knowledge from KPSOL will support the capture of know-how in people’s heads, not just what’s written in documents.

 A Knowledge Management System (KMS) is the preferred solution when an organisation needs more than just a place to store documents—it requires a structured, dynamic, and scalable approach to managing knowledge across the enterprise. Unlike traditional tools that focus solely on storage or content publishing, a KMS supports the full lifecycle of knowledge: from capturing and organising, to sharing, applying, and continuously improving it. It enables teams to access the right information at the right time through intelligent search, contextual recommendations, and seamless integration with daily workflows. Designed to scale across departments and geographies, a KMS ensures that institutional knowledge is not only preserved but actively used to improve collaboration, decision-making, innovation, and operational efficiency. This makes it an essential system for organisations aiming to turn knowledge into a strategic asset rather than letting it remain isolated in silos or static repositories.