From supplier to healthcare partner: composable architecture as an accelerator
In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that the healthcare sector is facing significant pressure. Healthcare institutions and hospitals need to work more efficiently, digitise more rapidly, and organise their workflows differently. This shift also alters expectations for suppliers. While delivery and transactions used to be the primary focus, suppliers are now expected to contribute ideas, adapt, and innovate within the healthcare process. But they are not always prepared for this change. More often than not, they still operate with an outdated digital landscape, characterised by separate systems that are difficult to integrate. Composable architecture is the answer to their calls. This modular and integrated ecosystem enables suppliers to accelerate their digital strategies and strengthen their position within the healthcare chain.
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From transactional supplier to strategic healthcare partner
Traditionally, the role of the supplier was mainly to deliver products and services. But today’s healthcare institutions expect more. They want to be able to order easily, have documentation available at any time, receive support without cumbersome procedures, and have a partner who actively contributes ideas about their processes. In short, they are seeking direct, reliable, and integrated interactions.
Increasingly, suppliers are also becoming part of the healthcare institution’s own (digital) services. Meaning: you play a role in the patient journey, and therefore, your systems must connect seamlessly with those of the healthcare institution.
Self-service portals, apps, EDIs and APIs help you achieve this integration. APIs are Application Programming Interfaces, i.e. interfaces that enable systems to securely exchange data and functions. It allows you to move up the chain and transform from a party that merely executes into a strategic partner who contributes to better healthcare.
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The advantages of composable architecture
The name ‘composable architecture’ is a bit of a giveaway: this type of architecture enables the assembly of digital environments in a modular manner – components, if you like. Instead of a single, monolithic system, you work with separate building blocks you can combine, expand, or replace as needed.
For you as a supplier, this offers advantages on two levels. On the one hand, it increases your internal agility: you can add new functionalities more quickly without having to overhaul entire systems. On the other hand, it makes it easier for you to become part of the patient journey that healthcare institutions offer. You shift from being a supplier to a strategic partner, which is of great value from both a business and strategic perspective.
In addition, you can easily personalise your digital channels for different target groups and flexibly adapt to changes in legislation and regulations. The modular building blocks and API-first architecture also ensure that information can be shared securely and efficiently with healthcare institutions and other chain partners. Meanwhile, total costs remain manageable thanks to reduced vendor lock-in, lower upgrade costs, and simpler integrations.
The result? A digital foundation that moves with the dynamics of the healthcare sector and sustainably strengthens your position as a supplier in the chain.
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Adding digital value for suppliers
With a composable architecture, you, as a supplier, can create concrete added value for both your customers and yourself.
For example, healthcare institutions and professionals can place orders, download documentation, and request support themselves via a self-service portal, saving time for both parties. The same applies when, as a supplier, you can automatically display personalised, relevant information to each institution, department or even individual user. Various integrations, such as those with EPD/ZIS or internal systems of healthcare institutions, make the entire collaboration even more valuable.
Finally, a composable architecture allows you, as a supplier, to work in a scalable way. For example, you can start with a customer portal and later expand it with training courses, data dashboards or patient services.
So, it’s not just about the technology, but also about how that technology strengthens the relationship between the supplier and the customer. Each digital building block contributes to a partnership in which convenience, speed and relevance are central.
Composable architecture in practice: examples & cases
Let’s look at some scenarios and cases in which composable suppliers help to offer more digital interaction and value:
A hospital that can order medical devices, schedule maintenance and access manuals and documentation directly via a self-service portal saves valuable time.
A pharmaceutical supplier who offers e-learning modules and personalised medication information boosts their customers’ knowledge and confidence.
A distributor who automates inventory management and repeat orders helps his customers save valuable time, prevent waste and ensure continuity.
Healthcare companies that trust our expertise in composable architecture
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Step by step towards composable
Switching to composable does not have to be a large-scale digital transformation. On the contrary, the strength of this model lies precisely in the ability to start small and expand step by step. For example, a customer portal could be your starting point, or you could offer APIs that allow healthcare institutions to integrate your products and services into their own systems easily.
Data plays a key role here. Insight into your customers’ patterns, needs, and preferences makes it possible to personalise your services, thereby increasing the relevance of each channel. And by working iteratively, you can continuously add channels or building blocks that add the most value for your customers.
Working with a digital specialist also helps you achieve results more quickly and avoid common pitfalls. You build a digital ecosystem that is agile and ready for the future, step by step.
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Conclusion: from transactional to strategic partnership
The expectations of healthcare institutions and hospitals are changing rapidly. Whereas in the past, the transactional relationship with suppliers was central, there is now a need for suppliers who proactively contribute ideas, adapt to changing times, and co-innovate. Suppliers who seize this opportunity distinguish themselves as strategic partners who contribute to more efficient and higher-quality care.
Composable architecture makes it possible. With a flexible and scalable foundation, suppliers can respond to changing requirements, develop new services and increase digital interaction with customers. The result is a sustainable position in the healthcare chain, where you no longer supply but become a strategic and indispensable partner in healthcare.
Curious about how your organisation can use composable to build the next step? Let’s look at the possibilities together.
Curious about how your organisation can use composable to build the next step?
Let’s look at the possibilities together.
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