Using Technology Better

What Using Technology Better does

Using Technology Better (UTB), operating under UTB GP Limited in New Zealand, is a privately held, bootstrapped technology training services firm founded by Mike Reading in 2008 and formally operating since 2010. UTB delivers certified training across four hyperscale vendor ecosystems — Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Apple Apps, and (since 2024) Canva for Education under an exclusive APAC partnership — to K-12 and tertiary education institutions, businesses, government departments, and IT certification seekers across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, and other parts of Asia.

UTB runs three delivery modes: On-Site Training (in-person, customised group sessions at client sites), Online Live Training (virtual instructor-led sessions), and Learn On Demand (a self-paced subscription membership of 40+ pre-recorded courses, UTB Shorts short-form videos, and Skills Checklist assessments). A layer of add-on professional services — Consultancy & Design, Change Facilitation, People-First Training delivery, and Insights & Reporting — was added in 2024, shifting the mix away from pure training hours and toward transformation advisory. The technology stack pairs the Learn On Demand learning platform with Shopify for e-commerce and conventional CRM for customer management; proprietary IP sits in curated curriculum, certification status, and assessment tools rather than in novel ML systems.

Revenue flows from professional services engagements (on-site and online live training, IT certification prep), subscription revenue from Learn On Demand, and channel revenue from the Trainer Alliance and Franchise Opportunities programmes. UTB has scaled cumulatively to 12,000+ organisations served, 27,000+ training sessions, and 145,000+ individuals trained, with the operating model supported by an 11-50 employee team distributed across New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Name

Using Technology Better

Legal name

UTB GP Limited

Website

https://usingtechnologybetter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Using Technology Better (UTB) provides certified Google, Microsoft, Apple and Canva technology training — on-site, online live, and via a Learn On Demand subscription — to schools, businesses, governments, and certification seekers across Australia, New Zealand and wider Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAEANAA

Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.)

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Training & Technical Enablement Services

SECONDARYBPACANAB

Technical & Digital Skills Training

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/Training, Learning & Development Services

SECONDARYBPAEANAD

Digital Learning Content Development (eLearning, Labs, Simulations)

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Training & Technical Enablement Services

Keywords

• Technology training services
• Professional development training
• Google Workspace training
• Microsoft 365 training
• Corporate digital upskilling

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. On-Site Training Services: In-person technology training delivered at client locations by UTB trainers. Customised to organisation's specific technology environment and staff skill levels. Pricing based on duration and group size.
2. Online Live Training: Virtual instructor-led training sessions delivered in real-time. Attendees join from anywhere independently. Same quality as on-site training delivered in virtual format.
3. Learn On Demand Membership: Subscription-based access to pre-recorded courses, short-form UTB Shorts content, Skills Checklist tools, and bonus materials. Ongoing recurring revenue from membership subscriptions.
4. IT Certification Training: Preparation courses for professional technology certifications (Microsoft, Google, Apple, Canva). Expert trainers guide individuals and organisations through exam preparation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Using Technology Better is a technology training services company that delivers instructor-led and self-paced training on Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Apple Apps, Canva for Education, and IT certification preparation. Training is delivered on-site at client locations, via live virtual sessions, and through a Learn On Demand subscription membership with 40+ pre-recorded courses. The company tailors programmes to the specific technology environment and skill levels of business organisations, schools, government departments, and IT certification candidates across Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia.

Product overview

Using Technology Better is a technology training services company offering a portfolio of instructor-led and self-paced training products across three delivery modes: On Site Training (in-person at client locations), Online Live Training (virtual real-time sessions), and Learn On Demand Membership (self-paced with over 40 pre-recorded courses, UTB Shorts, and Skills Checklist). Core training specialisations span Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Apple Apps, supplemented by third-party tools (Canva, Seesaw, Sphero, Code Avengers, STEAM), Technical Training for IT certifications, and bespoke systems training for ERP/CRM platforms. Supporting products include Skills Quizzes (Apple, Google, Microsoft 365), a UTB Savings Calculator, Consultancy & Design, Change Facilitation, Insights & Reporting, and a Certified Leader Program. Canva Training is delivered as the sole certified Canva for Education partner in the APAC region. The company also operates a Trainer Alliance and Franchise Opportunities programme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• On-Site Training
• Online Live Training
• Learn On Demand Membership
• Google Workspace Training
• Microsoft 365 Training
• Apple Apps for Work
• Canva Training
• Technical Training (IT Certification Prep)
• Technology Training for Schools
• Technology Training for Business
• Consultancy & Design
• Change Facilitation
• People-First Training
• Insights & Reporting
• Certified Leader Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.5 hours back into your week per person through better technology utilisation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CanvacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Exclusive partnership announced in 2024 making UTB the sole certified training partner in the APAC region for Canva for Education. Collaborative workshops and Canva training programs for schools and businesses.
• ApplecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Partnership with Apple began in 2020. UTB is an Apple Learning Specialist providing training on Apple apps and devices including iPad, iCloud, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and iCal.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Microsoft Partnership forged in 2014. Mike saw potential in Microsoft product despite most of his work being with Google at the time. Now a Microsoft Training Partner offering training across Microsoft 365, Teams, and related tools.
• GooglecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2011Partnership began in 2011 when founder Mike attended Google and discovered Google Drive and Docs. Became Google Apps for Education training provider. Now a Google Cloud Partner and Google for Education Partner. First company globally with a Google, Apple, Microsoft professional development partnership.
• DAIWABO INFORMATION SYSTEM CO., LTD.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJapanese partner through japan.usingtechnologybetter.com subdomain. Customer information is shared with DAIWABO INFORMATION SYSTEM CO., LTD. and DIS Service & Solution Co., Ltd. for Japanese market support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves19 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Koenig Solutions: Koenig is a large India-headquartered IT certification training provider offering vendor-authorised courses (Microsoft, AWS, Google, Cisco, Apple) to enterprise clients globally. It competes for the same multinational enterprise training budgets that UTB targets.
• Google for Education Partner Network (Trainer Directory): The broader cohort of Google for Education Certified Trainers and Partners deliver Google Workspace training to schools and businesses in competition with UTB's education vertical. Examples include regional Certified Trainer networks operating in ANZ and SE Asia.
• New Horizons (ANZ): New Horizons is a long-standing global IT training franchise with significant ANZ operations, delivering instructor-led Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA certification training to businesses and government. It overlaps with UTB's vendor-certified training and enterprise field-sales motion in Australia and New Zealand.
• Lumify Group (formerly DDLS / Lumify Learn): Lumify is the largest IT and corporate training provider in Australia and New Zealand, offering vendor-authorised (Microsoft, Google, AWS, Cisco) certification courses and corporate upskilling. It is the most direct competitor to UTB in the ANZ technology training market, including in the education and public-sector segments UTB serves.

Broad incumbents

• Pluralsight: Pluralsight is a major enterprise technology skills platform offering self-paced courses, labs, and skill assessments across cloud, software, and IT operations. While not vendor-authorised in the same way, it competes with UTB's Learn On Demand membership and Skills Checklist for the same corporate upskilling budgets.
• Skillsoft: Skillsoft is a large incumbent corporate learning platform serving Fortune 1000 enterprises with technology, leadership, and compliance training content. It represents a broader incumbent competing for the same enterprise L&D budget UTB targets with its Technology Training for Business offering.
• Microsoft Training Partners (e.g., Avanade, Insight): Microsoft's network of training and adoption partners deliver Microsoft 365 and Teams enablement at scale. While broader in scope, they directly compete with UTB's Microsoft 365 Training product in the same enterprise field-sales motion.
• Udemy Business: Udemy Business provides an enterprise subscription catalogue of on-demand technology, productivity, and business courses. It is a budget-displacing alternative for the self-serve portion of UTB's Learn On Demand membership proposition.
• Canva for Education (Canva directly): Canva provides first-party tutorials, templates, and self-serve learning content for Canva for Education. While not offering the live certified training UTB provides, Canva's own learning resources act as a partial substitute and could constrain pricing for UTB's exclusive APAC training program.

Others

• Generative AI / AI-enabled learning tools (e.g., Coursera): Coursera offers enterprise and education technology courses, including Google and Microsoft credentials, in a self-paced format. It is an adjacent competitor for the same productivity upskilling wallet, especially for budget-sensitive education customers that might choose self-paced over instructor-led training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Usingtechbetter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Using Technology Better