The MacLaren Group
The MacLaren Group is a Toronto-based professional services firm that provides end-to-end technology training, deployment support, and change management for large North American enterprises across retail, grocery, restaurant, financial services, and government verticals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The MacLaren Group does
The MacLaren Group is a Toronto-based professional services firm founded in 1998 that specializes in technology deployment training and change management for large North American enterprises, with historical roots in retail that have since expanded to cover 40+ technology systems across multiple industry verticals. The company's core offering is an integrated suite of six products spanning the full technology implementation lifecycle: Training Blueprint & Strategy (discovery and planning), Training Materials (custom documentation in print and digital), On-Site & Virtual Training (delivered by a network of 70+ specialized trainers), Web-Based Training (proprietary eLearning platform with simulations and optional LMS hosting with analytics), Go-Live Support (deployment assistance), and the eSupport Tool (digital job aid for ongoing support). Underlying technology consists of a custom-built WBT platform and an eSupport middleware-integrated digital tool, both focused on content delivery and standard learning analytics rather than AI-driven personalization.
The business model is project-based professional services revenue generated through enterprise field sales targeting large retailers, grocers, restaurants, financial institutions, and government entities. Pricing is custom and quote-based per engagement, with no publicly disclosed rates. Customer segments are exclusively enterprise, with named deployments spanning McDonald's Canada (POS rollout across 1,300 locations), Sodexo (WFM for 8,000 managers), Kroger (self-checkout), Home Depot (cash recycler), BJ's Wholesale Club, Canadian Tire, Virginia ABC (400 state stores), and M&T Bank, among others. The company maintains strategic training partnerships with enterprise platform providers including SAP, UKG, Fujitsu, GK Software, and Glory Global Solutions, positioning it within multiple vendor ecosystems. All operations are confined to North America (US and Canada), with bilingual English/French delivery capability.
The MacLaren Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The MacLaren Group
- Legal name
- The MacLaren Group
- Website
- https://maclarengroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The MacLaren Group is a Toronto-based professional services firm that provides end-to-end technology training, deployment support, and change management for large North American enterprises across retail, grocery, restaurant, financial services, and government verticals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The MacLaren Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retail Technology Training Services
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Enablement & Adoption Services (Change Management, Adoption, Champions) (BPAEANAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Enterprise Applications & ERP/CRM (SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Workday) (EDABAFAJ), IT, Systems & Tools Onboarding (Access, Apps, Security Basics) (EDABAOAE)
Keywords
Where The MacLaren Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The MacLaren Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional Training Services: Custom on-site and virtual training delivery by specialized trainers. Revenue generated through project-based professional services engagements covering planning, pre-deployment, implementation, training, and post-launch optimization services.
- Custom Training Material Development: Development of customized training materials including leader guides, trainer guides, exercise workbooks, job aids, and site systems reference manuals, available in both print and digital formats.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
The MacLaren Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The MacLaren Group provides end-to-end technology training and deployment solutions for enterprise organizations, specializing in the rollout of retail and operations technology systems (POS, workforce management, self-checkout, ERP, cash automation). Its offerings cover the full project life cycle — from discovery and training blueprint design, through customized training materials, on-site and virtual training delivery, web-based eLearning, go-live support, and a digital eSupport job-aid tool for ongoing user reference.
Product overview
The MacLaren Group offers a comprehensive suite of technology training and change management solutions designed to support organizations through every phase of technology implementation. The core portfolio consists of six integrated service offerings: Training Blueprint & Strategy (strategic planning and discovery), Training Materials (custom documentation), On-Site & Virtual Training (expert-led delivery), Web-Based Training (custom eLearning with simulations and LMS hosting), Go-Live Support (deployment assistance), and the eSupport Tool (digital job aid for ongoing support). Operating since 1998 with over 70 trainers across North America, the company specializes in training for technology systems including POS, WFM, ERP, Cash Management, and Inventory Management platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Training Blueprint & Strategy Strategic planning service that includes a deep discovery process, stakeholder alignment, and a structured training architecture to build the foundation for successful technology implementations for enterprise clients.
- Training Materials Customized documentation including Leader's Guides, Trainer's Guides, Exercise Workbooks, Job Aids, Cheat Sheets, and Site Systems Reference Manuals, available in both print and digital formats.
- On-Site & Virtual Training Expert-led training delivered on-site or virtually by a network of 70+ hand-selected trainers across North America, with industry-specific expertise and multi-language (including bilingual English/French) capabilities for enterprise clients.
- Web-Based Training (WBT) Custom-built, highly interactive Web-Based Training programs with realistic simulations, scenario-based learning, and modular course segments, supporting multilingual delivery and optional LMS hosting with analytics for enterprise technology training.
- Go-Live Support On-site and virtual expert support during system go-live, including start-of-day and end-of-day procedures, troubleshooting, quality assurance, and help desk call management for enterprise technology rollouts.
- eSupport Tool Digital job aid providing cost-efficient, just-in-time access to essential information with step-by-step instructions, visual aids, 24/7 accessibility, and analytics; integrates with middleware applications or works as a standalone tool for ongoing end-user support.
Quantifiable outcome
- McDonald's Canada POS rollout across 1,300 restaurants with 14 trainers deployed in 2 weeks
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use The MacLaren Group
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The MacLaren Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The MacLaren Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- SAPcoreSAP is listed as a technology platform partner. The MacLaren Group provides training services for SAP IS-Retail implementations, including hardware and software conversions, corporate and store training, and implementation leadership. Case studies show successful SAP deployments for clients like Shane Co.
- UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)coreUKG is a key technology platform partner. The MacLaren Group delivers training for UKG Workforce Central, UKG Pro Suite WFM, and UKG Dimensions implementations. Major deployments include Sodexo (8,000 managers) and multiple grocery retailers.
- FujitsucoreFujitsu is a technology partner providing self-checkout (SCO) systems. The MacLaren Group delivers training for Fujitsu SCO implementations including cash and coin recyclers. Clients include Canadian Tire and Savers-Value Village.
- GK SoftwarecoreGK Software is a retail technology platform partner. The MacLaren Group provides training for GK retail solutions including POS systems and checkout experiences. Notable deployment for Virginia ABC across 400 stores.
- Glory Global SolutionscoreGlory Global Solutions provides cash automation and cash recycler technology. The MacLaren Group delivers comprehensive training for Glory systems including cash handling, balancing, and maintenance. Clients include Home Depot and BJ's Wholesale Club.
- Mi9 RetailcoreMi9 Retail is an ERP/retail technology platform. The MacLaren Group provides training for Mi9 implementations including web-based training, workshops, and go-live support. Successfully deployed for Federated Co-Operatives Ltd. (FCL) across 200 stores.
- Revolution Retail SystemssupportingRevolution Retail Systems is listed as a technology platform partner in the partners section, with training solutions delivered for retail technology deployments.
- SHYFTsupportingSHYFT is listed as a technology platform partner providing mobile solutions. The MacLaren Group delivers training to support SHYFT platform adoption by retail clients.
- PayCompletesupportingPayComplete is listed as a technology platform partner in the partner ecosystem, with the MacLaren Group providing associated training solutions.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The MacLaren Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NTT Data: Global IT services and systems integration firm with retail technology implementation capabilities. Comparable in delivering enterprise software deployment and user enablement services to large retail clients.
- Infosys: Global IT services and consulting firm with significant retail and consumer goods practice. Comparable in delivering enterprise technology implementation and end-user enablement services to large retailers globally.
- Wipro: Global IT services firm with strong retail vertical practice. Comparable in delivering large-scale technology deployment, training, and change management services to enterprise retail customers.
- Pluralsight: Enterprise technology skills development platform. Comparable in delivering technology training content and learning pathways to enterprise technology users, though delivered as a SaaS platform rather than professional services.
- Cognizant: Global IT services firm with dedicated retail and consumer goods practice. Comparable in delivering large-scale enterprise technology implementations including change management and end-user training.
- Hitachi Solutions: Global systems integrator and Microsoft/Dynamics implementation partner with retail vertical focus. Comparable in delivering enterprise technology deployments including training and adoption services to large retailers.
- Globant: Global digital transformation services firm serving enterprise clients including major retailers. Comparable in delivering technology adoption, implementation support, and digital enablement at scale.
Emerging players
- Docebo: AI-powered enterprise learning platform with LMS/LXP capabilities. Comparable in providing enterprise learning infrastructure that could serve similar end-user training and adoption use cases for retail technology deployments.
- Skillsoft: Enterprise corporate learning and technology training platform. Comparable on the technology training delivery side, particularly for enterprise software and IT skills, though operates as a content/SaaS platform rather than professional services.
Direct peers
- Slalom: Mid-market management and technology consulting firm with strong enterprise practice. Closely comparable in delivering technology deployment, change management, and custom enablement services to large North American enterprises.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The MacLaren Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe MacLaren Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The MacLaren Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The MacLaren Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The MacLaren Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The MacLaren Group
What does The MacLaren Group do?
The MacLaren Group provides end-to-end technology training and deployment solutions for enterprise organizations, specializing in the rollout of retail and operations technology systems (POS, workforce management, self-checkout, ERP, cash automation). Its offerings cover the full project life cycle — from discovery and training blueprint design, through customized training materials, on-site and virtual training delivery, web-based eLearning, go-live support, and a digital eSupport job-aid tool for ongoing user reference.
Is The MacLaren Group a public or private company?
The MacLaren Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The MacLaren Group founded?
The MacLaren Group was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The MacLaren Group based?
The MacLaren Group is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The MacLaren Group make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Professional Training Services are the primary driver. The others are custom Training Material Development.
Who are The MacLaren Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NTT Data, Infosys, Wipro, Pluralsight, Cognizant, Hitachi Solutions and Globant. Emerging players are Docebo and Skillsoft. Slalom is listed as a direct peer.
Does The MacLaren Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The MacLaren Group.
What industry is The MacLaren Group in?
The MacLaren Group's product category is Retail Technology Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEANAC, Technical Enablement & Adoption Services (Change Management, Adoption, Champions), with a secondary code of EDABAFAJ, Enterprise Applications & ERP/CRM (SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Workday). Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 8742.