OTTAWA—Small- and mid-size print shops may be able to benefit under a new government program called Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP).

The $80 million federal program is to help small- and mid-size enterprises in all business sectors connect with technology. The program kicked off recently and runs until March 31, 2014.

Eligible firms may receive a financial contribution of up to $99,999 for a specific project; eligible costs can cover labour, contractors, travel, feasibility (and other studies) and training. Non-eligible costs include the purchase of computer hardware and/or off the shelf software, noted DTAPP.

Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) will provide advice to eligible companies about the basic needs of the firm; cost/benefit analysis; organizational change requirements; technology acquisition, adaptation and implementation; training; and final impact analysis and outcomes.
 
To be considered for DTAPP eligibility, firms from any business sector must have 500 employees or less; be incorporated, for-profit and operate in Canada; be growth oriented; demonstrate plans to carry out a project designed to adopt digital technologies; and be willing to change their current operations to maximize the benefit of adopting digital technologies on their productivity, according to DTAPP.
 
For more information about the program, call the toll-free number at 1-855-453-3940 or visit www.nrc.gc.ca/irap/dtapp