PAR 360, a new PAR Excellence solution, is transforming healthcare supply chains with real-time visibility into staff productivity and processes while providing insights that improve efficiency and culture. Highly complementary to the client’s existing ERP, PAR 360 is a mobile-centric “control tower” for the shift supervisor and the inventory techs.
Indianapolis-based Community Health Network, with more than 200 sites of care throughout Indiana and ranked among the nation's most integrated healthcare systems, has benefited from its early impacts as a beta site. Derrick Williams, VP of Supply Chain at CHN, was interviewed to share his insights.
What motivated you to participate as a PAR 360 beta?
“When CHN decided to be a PAR 360 beta, it wasn’t just about testing a new system, it was about addressing long-standing challenges in Supply Chain. Visibility has always been a struggle, not just in tracking inventory but in recognizing the true effort our caregivers put in every day. Too often, the work happening inside our hospitals is buried in complex processes which are poorly illuminated, making it harder to operate efficiently and for leadership to see Supply Chain as more than just an expense.”
“We needed to shine a bright light on our processes, and PAR 360 presented that opportunity. Reducing frustration, streamlining workflows, and having real-time data that accurately reflects what is happening on the ground would be an investment in our people.”
2. Have there been any early impacts on Supply Chain after implementing PAR 360?
“From the beginning, one thing became clear—PAR 360 is making us ask tough questions about how we’ve always done things. Real-time data forces us to step back, rethink workflows, and make adjustments based on actual insights rather than assumptions. Instead of just seeing supplies move, we can now see the effort behind it, giving us the opportunity to better understand workflows and set clearer expectations for accountability over time.”
“But implementing a tool like this isn’t just about the technology; it’s about how we introduce it to our teams. We knew from the start that if this felt like “big brother” or just another task, we would lose buy-in. That’s why our approach has been, and will continue to be, focused on demonstrating its value—not just for leadership, but for the people on the ground who make it all happen. The ability to see put-away efficiency, track incoming work, and adjust labor assignments in real time has the potential to be a game-changer, but only if the people using it see how it benefits them.”
“The impact is still unfolding, and like any change, there will be challenges. But the potential is undeniable, and that’s what makes this journey worth taking.”
3. How does PAR 360 help engage and drive culture within your clinical teams?
“One of the biggest opportunities with PAR 360 is how it bridges the gap between Supply Chain and clinical teams. When Nursing needs something, Supply Chain is expected to fulfill it—often without the necessary details to ensure accuracy.”
“With PAR 360, we now have a structured method, the Nurse Call Down feature, that helps Nursing get what they need without adding unnecessary burden. By ensuring Supply Chain receives the exact information required, such as a PeopleSoft, Lawson, or Workday number, we eliminate guesswork and deliver the right product the first time. When both sides have a clear, standardized process, we move from working in silos to working together toward the same goal: better patient care.”
4. What would you tell another health system that is considering PAR 360?
“For a health system considering PAR 360, it’s not just about improving inventory tracking—it’s about bringing visibility to a hidden area of Supply Chain. It transforms the way we operate, turning data into actionable insights, eliminating inefficiencies, and making our impact on patient care visible and measurable.”
“With visibility into incoming supplies, delivery times, and the effort involved, the conversation shifts from cost to impact. That’s a critical difference, and it’s a conversation worth having.”
PAR Excellence, a Cincinnati-based company with 30 years of experience, is a leader in healthcare supply chain automation. Utilized by over 350 hospitals IDNs, PAR's inventory management technologies and cloud-based software offer the highest level of inventory automation in the industry. As the demand for supply chain performance grows and rising labor costs make hiring more challenging, hospitals are increasingly adopting PAR's solutions to modernize their supply chain operations.
For more information about PAR 360, contact PAR Excellence at parexcellence.com.