The Evolution of Coherent Spark & AI
John Brisco, Co-founder & CEO at Coherent
At Coherent, we have always believed in the enormous potential that spreadsheets have within organizations, despite the limitations that they have traditionally presented. This is why we are proud to be the pioneers in transforming spreadsheets into enterprise-grade code. What began as a simple solution to manage spreadsheets and streamline data management has rapidly evolved into a game-changing technology that’s reshaping how businesses operate.
Where we’re at and where we’re going
Spreadsheets, and Excel specifically, are so ubiquitous, yet improperly managed and often grossly undervalued. Not only is this a massive opportunity that most businesses don’t realize could potentially transform their operations and have a significant impact on their bottom line, it’s also a problem that we have a purpose-built solution for. In the past 12 months alone, we have been able to triple our revenue, fueling significant growth and allowing us to serve an incredible array of customers. But while we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, we also understand the importance of thinking beyond the present and envisioning the future of our technology.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of current success, but real innovation requires constant evolution. The next big leap in enterprise technology is already on the horizon: AI. We believe AI offers immense potential to improve both human and enterprise capabilities, but it’s important to approach this with a discerning eye.
The next chapter - AI
The AI landscape is filled with possibilities, but we’re cautious about the hype. In a rapidly evolving space, there are bound to be many “commodity plays” — solutions that promise the world but ultimately lead to a race to the bottom. These are the projects that lack real value and ultimately struggle to deliver sustainable outcomes. On the other hand, there are areas where AI can genuinely make a transformative impact, where its application isn’t just theoretical, but tangible and immediately beneficial.
This is what we call “touchable ROI” capability — solutions that address a clear, present need and can deliver measurable outcomes at a speed that today’s businesses demand. This is not about AI concepts that may take months or years to realize, but about harnessing AI to solve real-world problems with clear, actionable results, today.
This vision of “touchable ROI” is what led us to think deeply about how we can leverage AI to enhance our platform. It’s why we developed Coherent Insights, a powerful tool designed to unlock the potential of AI in a way that is directly applicable to our users’ needs.
AI the Coherent way
Coherent Insights doesn’t just promise better data analysis or streamlined workflows — it delivers clear, actionable insights that accelerate decision-making and improve business outcomes in real time – it is all about making your data work harder for you. With Spark’s new capabilities, users will gain deep intelligence that provides clear visibility into their Excel estates. Whether it’s identifying areas of risk, optimizing workflows, or uncovering new opportunities, Spark will help businesses make more informed decisions based on potentially their largest untapped data asset - spreadsheets.
The integration of AI-powered insights is a game changer. Imagine having a bird's-eye view of your entire spreadsheet landscape, with AI-powered risk and quality scoring, market-first data lineage mapping, and even the ability to compare and contrast different versions of spreadsheets to identify ‘best in class’ or ‘optimization’ opportunities. This data-driven decision-making empowers businesses to make more informed choices, manage risk proactively, and drive continuous improvement.
A smarter, brighter future for all
As we look to the future, our commitment to integrating AI into our platform isn’t just about staying ahead of the curve; it’s about ensuring that the solutions we provide today will evolve and scale to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The opportunities AI presents are vast, but it’s our focus on tangible outcomes, rather than chasing hype, that will allow us to continue driving unique success and innovation in the future world.
Our evolution is constant – we welcome the opportunity for our customers and partners to experience the “touchable ROI” this brings.
