No new idea, concept or technical advancement, whether intended to improve our health, protect the environment or revitalize an industry, can make meaningful impact until there is widespread adoption. Without it, potential is diminished and opportunities are squandered. This is why supporting adoption, particularly among Canada’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who play a critical role in the country’s economic wellbeing, is a crucial step on the innovation journey.

It will come as no surprise that many SMEs struggle with technology adoption. Despite ongoing efforts and good intentions, SMEs have competing priorities for limited resources. Government grants, tax incentives and programs that offer support are important avenues for democratizing technology adoption.

One such initiative was the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). The federal government launched this program to help businesses bring on a consultant to assess technological needs, then offer interest-free loans to support implementation. Though the program was flawed, with complaints including a lack of flexibility, a shortage of consultants and excessive paperwork, the concept was valid. Rather than address the issues, however, the program has been slated for cancellation due to poor take-up.

While this program closure has the potential to set back digital transformation among Canada’s SMEs, adopting new technology remains important. Fortunately, polytechnics are already filling the gap.

Polytechnic applied research has proven successful when it comes to derisking technology adoption for business partners. Like CDAP, applied research offers companies and organizations access to technical expertise and implementation guidance, without many of the drawbacks associated with the defunct federal program.

Take for example Humber Polytechnic’s partnership with the Windsor-Essex Compassion Care Community. The organization relies on both professional staff and volunteers in its efforts to integrate physical care with mental health and community support. In collaboration with Humber, the group developed a data management system to standardize and simplify data collection to address the inconsistent and idiosyncratic record-keeping by volunteers. This project improved administrative efficiency, enhanced volunteer training and strengthened the organization’s ability to identify and support vulnerable individuals.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is also helping one of its partners – VeriGrain Sampling Inc. – upgrade technology to assess the quality and quantity of grain, improving what can be a time-consuming and expensive process. By building on their sampling and data management system, VeriGrain has been able to offer enhanced functionality to growers, buyers and consumers in the agriculture industry.  This maximizes profits while improving grain quality identification and traceability.

Consider Contextere, an Ottawa-based AI software developer. Working with Algonquin College, they developed an AI application for industrial technicians, scanning thousands of product manuals and codes. The resulting language database enables technicians to query and access information many times more quickly than by searching manually. With 75 per cent of their project costs covered by external funding, Contextere was able to streamline the development process.

These are not isolated success stories. In fact, polytechnics conduct more than 4,000 partnered research projects each year. These projects help SMEs enhance their R&D capacity and open doors to new markets.  According to a recent Polytechnics Canada study, these collaborations generate economic returns between $8.09 and $18.49 for every dollar invested.

For an economy in need of innovation enablers, this is key. Advancing digital transformation stands to spark progress and improve the country’s productivity indicators. Beyond providing expertise, polytechnics offer well-equipped labs where businesses can test, refine and implement technological solutions to gain a competitive edge.

Because new technologies are emerging at an incredible pace, this capacity is needed for the long haul.  From artificial intelligence to cloud computing and automation, businesses in all sectors stand to benefit from solutions that enhance efficiency, improve customer interactions and ensure they remain globally competitive.  Businesses that embrace technology report increased productivity and improved profitability.

The message is clear: embracing technology is not just about staying relevant; it is about thriving in a digital-first world. As Canadian businesses look to adapt and innovate, polytechnics will be alongside, providing them with the necessary expertise and support to drive success.

Interested in reading more case studies like the ones mentioned in this blog? Check out our Economic Impact of Applied Research report.