Fairview selects Workday to modernise HR, finance, supply

Fairview Health Services has selected Workday software for human resources, finance and supply chain as part of a multi-year effort to replace older business systems and consolidate core operational functions onto a single platform.

The programme will cover HR, finance, supply chain and other functions. Fairview expects the change to affect its 34,000 employees by providing a single experience across the selected systems.

Workday markets its products around a shared data model and automation features that draw on artificial intelligence. Fairview plans to move to integrated workflows and a more consistent approach to operational processes.

Systems overhaul

Fairview described the work as an overhaul of back-office operations rather than a replacement of clinical record technology. It will continue to rely on Epic for essential health record systems.

Fairview is taking a governance-led approach that includes security and privacy, with human decision-making remaining central. It also framed AI-enabled tools as a way to improve long-term financial sustainability.

"Fairview is investing in improvements across HR, finance, supply chain, and other core functions to strengthen the operational foundation that supports our people and the communities we serve," said Sabu Kallumpurathu Bose, Vice President of Digital Transformation at Fairview Health Services.

"This initiative brings more of our key processes onto a unified, modern platform - while continuing to rely on essential health record systems like Epic - to make work simpler, improve consistency, and create a future where it's easier for caregivers to stay focused on delivering exceptional care. As we modernise these functions, we're grounding our approach in strong governance, security, privacy, and human decision-making. AI-enabled tools, used responsibly, will support long-term financial sustainability and help us better serve our workforce and, ultimately, the patients who rely on us," Bose said.

HR and finance

Fairview plans to deploy Workday Human Capital Management as its system of record for employee data and expects more streamlined workforce processes as a result of the centralisation.

It also plans to implement Workday Financial Management to provide clearer visibility into resources and the organisation's financial position. The change comes as healthcare providers continue to face cost pressure and labour constraints, increasing scrutiny on administrative and procurement processes.

Workday said combining HR and finance on one platform supports faster information flow across an organisation. It also described the move as a way to simplify decision-making and reduce time spent on administrative tasks.

Supply chain

Fairview plans to adopt Workday Supply Chain Management and expects greater transparency into the flow of supplies used in day-to-day clinical operations. It also anticipates efficiency gains in procurement and inventory processes.

Supply chain systems in healthcare typically cover purchasing, contracting, receiving, stock management and distribution to facilities. In provider organisations, supply chain performance can have a direct operational impact when product availability affects clinical scheduling and service delivery.

Workday positioned its supply chain product as part of a broader operational model tied to finance and workforce data. It also framed the Fairview deal as further evidence of healthcare systems' interest in using a single vendor for multiple administrative domains.

Vendor momentum

Workday said Fairview is joining other healthcare organisations that are standardising on its software and cited industry recognition for its enterprise resource planning products in the healthcare sector.

"Fairview isn't just upgrading technology-they're clearing space for their people to focus on what matters most," said Michael Hofherr, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager for Industry at Workday.

"With HR, finance, and supply chain running on a single system, work moves faster, and decisions become easier, giving teams more time to support caregivers and patients," Hofherr said.

The initiative will run over multiple years and bring additional core functions onto the same platform over time.