Target Integration was delighted to attend IMR Members Day 2025 at the Irish Manufacturing Research Centre in Mullingar – a standout event that brought together Ireland’s leading voices in manufacturing, technology, ERP, AI, and digital transformation.
With a full day of networking, panel discussions, industry demos, and practical insights, this year’s Members Day offered an honest and grounded look at the digital challenges and opportunities shaping Ireland’s manufacturing sector.
One of the highlights for us was seeing Rohit Thakral, CEO of Target Integration, take the stage alongside industry leaders for the panel discussion “ERP: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” Throughout the day, Rohit also contributed to several important conversations on AI, vertical integration, and digital readiness – all now available on our YouTube channel.
Panel Session: ERP – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The main stage panel brought together:
Across the session, the panelists shared frank, experience-driven reflections on digital transformation – cutting through buzzwords and focusing on what genuinely drives success onsite.
Video 1: The Missing Link in Manufacturing – ERP & Vertical Integration
In his discussion on Smart Industry Readiness, Rohit addressed one of the major digital bottlenecks:
the gap between shop-floor equipment and ERP systems.
He explored why SMEs struggle with connecting machines, sensors, weighing scales, and hardware systems, even though large enterprises (SAP, Siemens, etc.) have mastered this integration.
Key points from Rohit:
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Vertical integration is consistently ranked lowest in IMR maturity assessments.
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SMEs find hardware-to-ERP integrations costly and overly complex.
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There is still no universal plug-and-play connector for shop-floor automation.
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Businesses need to build internal capability — not rely solely on vendors.
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His “cars and forklifts” analogy highlighted that companies must learn to drive their own digital systems.
Video 2: Real-World Digital Transformation – Beyond the Tools
This panel extended the conversation beyond technology into culture, people, planning, and value creation.
The speakers shared practical stories of what works – and what doesn’t – when implementing digital systems in manufacturing.
Key messages included:
🟦 Rohit Thakral – “Technology is the easy part.”
Rohit emphasised that digital transformation doesn’t begin with software, but with process alignment, planning, and clarity.
His core message:
“The bill comes first, then the process, then the technology.”
Without structure, preparation, and ownership, even the best ERP systems will underperform.
🟩 Noel Carr – “Commit fully and resource properly.”
Noel highlighted the importance of building a plan, sharing it with teams, and sticking to it. Success comes when companies dedicate the right resources and communicate the vision clearly.
🟪 Saoirse Colgan – Focus on time-to-value
Saoirse reinforced the need for early wins and focusing on solving the biggest pain points first, enabling faster adoption and better stakeholder engagement.
🟧 Eoin Ryan – AI, labour and competitiveness
Eoin explained how labour shortages and international competition demand smarter workflows. AI isn’t optional — it determines whether manufacturers stay competitive.
Video 3: AI for SMEs – Distraction or Game-Changer?
In this conversation, Rohit addressed a question many SMEs are asking:
“Is AI a distraction?”
His answer: No – AI is an opportunity.
Key takeaways:
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AI can generate code, optimise configuration, and accelerate implementation.
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But it needs strong foundations: logic, process clarity, and quality data.
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AI doesn’t remove the need for digital ownership — it enhances it.
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Poor data makes AI a distraction; good data makes it transformational.
He also reflected on IMR’s own rapid digital evolution, driven largely by AI’s increasing role in automation and system development.
A Fantastic Day of Networking, Collaboration & Industry Learning
Beyond the discussions on stage, IMR Members Day was a brilliant opportunity to:
✔ Connect with manufacturing leaders across Ireland
✔ Discuss shared challenges around ERP, AI, automation and workforce readiness
✔ Learn from digital maturity assessments and real factory case studies
✔ Strengthen the relationship between Target Integration and IMR
✔ Showcase how digital adoption is evolving across SMEs and large enterprises
The conversations were honest, practical, and future-focused — exactly what the sector needs as it navigates increasing pressure to digitalise.
We’re proud to have contributed, and grateful to IMR for creating a collaborative space where real operational challenges can be addressed openly.
Looking Ahead
Target Integration remains committed to helping organisations accelerate digital adoption through:
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ERP & CRM implementation
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AI-driven automation
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Data readiness
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Digital maturity roadmaps
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Industry 4.0 enablement
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Training and change management
Events like IMR Members Day highlight how important it is for businesses not only to implement tools — but to build the capability and confidence to use them effectively.
We look forward to continuing this work with IMR and Ireland’s wider manufacturing community.
