Revolutionizing Logistics: How Viral Patel, Senior Logistics Analyst is Integrating AI and Finance

A fascinating interview with Viral Patel, Senior Logistics Analyst, takes the reader on her thrilling journey from a financial field into logistics. Viral Patel, through her combination of financial prowess and a commitment to operational efficiency, is now considered one of the foremost innovators in supply chain management today. 

Her proficiency includes financial analysis, warehouse management, shipping, inventory control, and logistics, utilizing technology to improve strategic processes. Throughout this interview, Viral discusses how Artifical Intelligence (AI) would transform the logistics industry, such as demand forecasting, route optimization, predictive maintenance, and risk management. She herself notes that much has come from the bigger enterprises on AI, and most of the small businesses suffer from cost prohibitive and absence of technical know-how. 

Patel stresses the importance of establishing a data culture and suggests starting with small and manageable AI initiatives to get around the difficulty. Viral added that automation and AI are reshaping warehouses, plus customer service and last-mile delivery. It’s true that some jobs may be automated; however, through this, productivity will be driven up as people spend more time on strategic thinking and action, said Patel. 

Upskilling is the way forward to facilitate an easier transition to a more technology-oriented industry, he added. Viral also touches on the talent gap in supply chain management and how it truly opens windows of opportunities for women to be able to step into higher positions in the future. She encourages all women to learn something technical, take up the tough challenges that are assigned to them, and make good use of mentoring and professional networks. 

As a mentor herself, she focuses on her mentees getting hands-on experience, leading from the front, and building up their networks within the industry. Patel ends by touting the organizations to go beyond bringing technology into their systems and pushing towards diversity and inclusivity. All these most definitely take the business through leaps and bounds in today’s complex marketplace.

Question. Viral, you are in a unique dual position as a woman and a tech leader in the transportation industry. After starting out in financial services, what made you transition to the logistics and supply chain industry, specifically to a Logistics Analyst position?

Answer. Motivation for the shift from financial services to logistics and supply chain stems from a desire to practically utilize analytical skills to solve real-world operational problems. During my master’s studies in Technology Management, I became quite interested in the complicated and interlinked nature of global supply chains. The rather fast-paced, ever-changing nature of this domain with lucrative opportunities has its own allure. 

The role of a Logistics Analyst is pretty much the perfect avenue to put together my financial know-how and operational knowledge to enhance the working of processes, improve efficiency, and eventually, make the right data-driven decisions that yield tangible results. 

Question. From Accounts Payable and Receivable to Financial Statements, Regulatory Compliance, and Warehouse Operations to Shipping and Receiving, Inventory, Logistics, and Transportation Management, the individual’s competency cuts across diverse avenues. They manage business analysis, strategic planning, and implementation activities in these areas. When they entered the business over ten years ago, was it a welcoming environment for women? What did they do to break into the leadership position?

Answer. The environment, when the individual entered the logistics sector over a decade back, was predominantly male-dominated and presented a lot of challenges in earning acceptance and recognition. In overcoming these several hurdles, the individual, however, concentrated on working consistently on results and proving their ability. By developing an all-encompassing skill set, which included knowing both financial and operational aspects, they became an agile and invaluable contributor. 

Seeking out challenging assignments, they kept educating and certifying themselves while building relationships across departments. Also, because of keeping up with technology, they could start employing best-fit solutions, which in turn created an opportunity for them to establish their name as a thought leader, allowing them to climb into leadership.