A comparative analysis of the functional design and standards? compliancy of eLearning authoring/assembling tools and Learning Content Management Systems (LCMSs) is presented with a view of assessing how their functionality meets the requirements for robust development of eLearning content that complies with the existing eLearning standards and specifications. The standard reference model used as a basis for the comparative analysis is the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative. The results show up the strengths but also the inadequacies of existing products. The exercise is useful also in that it implicitly draws out, in a fairly systematic and detailed way, a range of strengths and attributes one would like to see in the functional design of a minimal comprehensive eLearning authoring/assembling tool and LCMS.