In this edition of The Executive Outlook, we had a heart-to-heart conversation with Mr. Herman Weintraub, the Co-founder and CEO of Exponam. Herman is someone who has spent over 30 years in the world of data and technology. During a conversation, Herman shared that his mission is to make data easy to access, secure, and usable for everyone, especially those who are not from a technical background. His story is a mix of learning, challenges, and building tools that people can trust and use with ease.
Herman said that his journey began in the biotech world. Back then, he was working with data platforms and helping people understand data better. As time passed, he moved into consulting and then into finance. He worked with a fixed income exchange in New York, where he managed both internal and external reporting systems. According to him, every step in his career added something new to his understanding of how people use data and what stops them from using it efficiently.
He continued by saying that in many technology projects, the major issues appeared only at the end, when it was time to deal with data. Herman recounted that things like cleaning data, moving it around quickly, storing it safely, and making sure only the right people had access to it were always big challenges. He spread light with his words, saying, “These problems were the reason many tech projects failed or were delayed.”
That’s when Herman decided to do something about it. He co-founded Exponam with the goal of fixing these problems. Herman added by sharing that their main focus is to connect complex data platforms with everyday users and traditional business processes. He believes that making data usable for non-technical people is just as important as making it available to data scientists.
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One of the most interesting parts of Herman’s story is how he and his team introduced a special tool. He shared that this tool brings data directly from Databricks into Excel. Yes, the same Excel we all use! Herman laughed as he said, “Excel is where users live. So why not bring the data to where they are most comfortable?
According to him, data has gone through many changes over the years. From basic databases to data warehouses and now to modern data lakes and lakehouses. But with all this advancement, Herman worries that non-technical users are being left behind. He said that it’s becoming harder for regular users to access the data they need.
He further defines that many businesses today use dashboards, visualizations, and AI tools to look at their data and make decisions. But sometimes, all people want is raw data, like sales numbers or customer info in simple rows and columns. “Why make it complicated when Excel can do the job?” Herman added with a smile.
Herman also talked about how many self-service data platforms promise easy access but still need technical help to build or edit reports. “We tried for 30 years to move people away from Excel,” he said, “but they always come back. It’s familiar, it’s easy, and it works.”
He mentioned that even big platforms like Tableau or Power BI often require expert users. But with Excel, anyone can filter, sort, and understand data. During a conversation, he shared that Exponam’s Excel add-in allows users to pull millions of data rows with just a few clicks. No coding. No confusion. Just useful data.
He added by sharing a powerful example. A client in the energy sector uses their tool to pull data into Excel to track electricity delivery issues. This helps them spot problems quickly. Another use case came from a medical research firm that checks the quality of chemical extractions in real time, again using Excel to analyze data.
Herman said that Exponam is used in many industries: finance, energy, healthcare, and more. He recounted a case where a customer service agent needed to pull seven years of transaction history for an audit. With Exponam’s tool, that massive data load was handled quickly and accurately in Excel.
He also addressed a big concern: data security. Some people worry that moving data into Excel might be risky. Herman agreed that security is important but added, “Blocking access isn’t the answer. We need the right rules, permissions, and tools to let people do their jobs.”
He explained that most people will still end up copying data into Excel one way or another. So, it’s better to give them secure access instead of making them work hard. He further defines that with clear permissions and access control; teams can work faster and with fewer mistakes.
When asked about trends like AI and generative BI, Herman had a balanced view. He said, “AI is great when the platform is ready. But we can’t forget the basics. Users still need simple tools like Excel alongside advanced ones.”
He shared that many firms jump into setting up big data platforms, focusing only on future use cases like machine learning. But they forget about traditional users who still need day-to-day reports and quick data access. Herman said that the biggest advice he would give is, “Don’t forget the everyday user while building your future.”
He added by saying that many organizations rush to adopt the latest technologies without setting a strong foundation. They focus on predicting the future with AI but miss the present needs of users who simply want to see a report with today’s numbers. Herman stressed that success comes from balancing innovation with practical usage.
Herman also talked about how their tool supports various business departments, like finance teams that need detailed sales breakdowns or operations teams looking at delivery performance. He shared that a regional energy provider uses Exponam to ensure accurate electricity delivery by analyzing data at a very granular level.
He continued by saying that their platform is not meant to replace other BI tools but to complement them. “Excel is not the end-all, but it is a vital part of the data journey,” Herman shared. While dashboards are great for monitoring and while AI is powerful for predicting, Excel remains key for exploring and explaining.
When asked about smaller businesses that say they don’t have data, Herman smiled and said, “Even small companies have data. Start by tracking your KPIs in Excel. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just start.
He further defines that once a small business starts growing, it will naturally move to more advanced tools. But the habit of tracking, analyzing, and learning from data should begin early. “The earlier you start using data, the more control you have over your business journey,” Herman added.
In closing, Herman recounted how he has seen businesses of all sizes benefit from simply making data accessible. He said, “It’s not about how complex your system is. It’s about how useful your data is to the people who need it.”
Herman Weintraub’s story is full of wisdom. He’s not just building tools; he’s solving real problems. He believes in meeting users where they are, not where we wish they were. During a conversation, Herman mentioned something that stuck with us: “The three constants in life are death, taxes, and Excel.”
Herman’s journey proves that you don’t always need fancy solutions to make an impact. Sometimes, you just need the right mindset and the right tools. In his case, that tool is Excel, and he has a deep understanding of how real people work.
To all the tech leaders and dreamers out there, Herman’s story is a reminder: Innovation doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple, useful, and focused on people. That’s where real magic happens.
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Editor Bio
I’m Isha Taneja, serving as the Editor-in-Chief at "The Executive Outlook." Here, I interview industry leaders to share their personal opinions and provide valuable insights to the industry. Additionally, I am the CEO of Complere Infosystem, where I work with data to help businesses make smart decisions. Based in India, I leverage the latest technology to transform complex data into simple and actionable insights, ensuring companies utilize their data effectively.
In my free time, I enjoy writing blog posts to share my knowledge, aiming to make complex topics easy to understand for everyone.
