About Ulton: A Leading Queensland Accounting and Wealth Management Firm

Ulton is a Queensland-based accounting, business advisory and wealth management firm, with more than 95 employees spanning across four offices in Bundaberg, Brisbane, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.

Ulton supports small to medium businesses, business owners, professionals and individuals across Queensland with accounting, business advisory and wealth management services. Their advice helps clients make sound financial decisions, grow and manage their businesses, and build and protect their financial future.

For more than a decade, Ulton has partnered with VITG to support its evolving technology needs. As the business has grown and embraced new technologies, the relationship has evolved beyond traditional IT support into a strategic partnership focused on business outcomes, security, and innovation.

The Challenge: Preparing for AI Adoption While Protecting Confidential Data

As Ulton continued to modernise its technology environment, the business identified a significant opportunity to leverage AI-powered tools such as Microsoft Copilot to improve productivity and efficiency across the business.

However, like many businesses beginning their AI journey, Ulton recognised that effective AI adoption required strong governance and data security foundations first. The business needed confidence that confidential client information would remain protected and that employees could safely use AI tools without increasing organisational risk.

At the same time, Ulton was managing broader technology transformation initiatives, including cloud migration, application management, workplace modernisation, and long-term IT strategy planning. The business required a trusted advisor who could help align technology investments with business objectives while ensuring security remained a priority.

An unexpected failure of their on-premises Exchange Server further accelerated the need to modernise critical systems and move towards a more resilient cloud-based environment.

The Solution: Managed IT Services, Microsoft Purview and Strategic vCIO Guidance

Virtual IT Group (VITG) worked closely with Ulton’s internal IT resources to deliver a comprehensive and strategic technology roadmap that balanced innovation, security, and operational efficiency.

As part of this engagement, VITG’s vCIO services played a key role in long-term technology planning, governance, and strategic decision-making. Together, the teams developed a roadmap aligned to Ulton’s growth ambitions while ensuring technology investments delivered measurable business value.

To support day-to-day operations, Ulton leveraged VITG’s Managed Services (MSaaS), Security Services, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft 365 expertise. VITG also assisted in reviewing and assessing applications prior to deployment, helping minimise risk and improve technology governance.

Recognising the importance of secure AI adoption, VITG conducted an AI Readiness Assessment to evaluate Ulton’s data security posture and preparedness for Microsoft Copilot. The assessment identified opportunities to strengthen information governance and data protection controls, leading to the implementation of Microsoft Purview.

“We didn’t want to rush into AI simply because it was the next big thing. We wanted to understand where it could create genuine value for our business while ensuring the right safeguards were in place. Working with VITG helped us build the foundations to explore AI confidently, with security, governance and risk management considered from the outset.”

Ammie Cauchi, Chief Operating Officer, Ulton

The project also included SharePoint development and migration initiatives to improve collaboration, information management, and accessibility across the business.

With the right governance framework in place, Ulton was able to confidently progress its Microsoft Copilot journey, supported by clear controls around data classification, security, and compliance.

The Outcome: Improved Data Governance, Secure AI Rollout and Long-term IT Strategy

Today, Ulton operates from a modern, secure, and strategically aligned technology environment that supports both business growth and innovation.

The implementation of Microsoft Purview established a stronger framework for data governance and information protection, providing the confidence needed to introduce AI responsibly across the business. This enabled a controlled rollout of Microsoft Copilot to employees while maintaining the security of sensitive client information.

Ulton’s governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) maturity has also significantly advanced through ongoing engagement with VITG’s GRC specialists, helping the business strengthen its security posture and better manage emerging risks.

Beyond the delivery of individual projects, the partnership continues to provide lasting value through strategic guidance, continuous improvement initiatives, and proactive technology planning. VITG acts as a trusted advisor, helping Ulton navigate ongoing change, align technology with business objectives, and prepare for future opportunities.

“Having a technology partner who understands our business, rather than simply our technology, has been important as Ulton has grown. VITG has been part of that journey for more than a decade, and that relationship continues to evolve as our needs change.”

Ammie Cauchi, Chief Operating Officer, Ulton