EXEM, the perfect partner for hybrid cloud monitoring and observability (글로벌 비즈니스 및 경제 전문 영문 매체 'The Worldfolio' 고평석 대표 인터뷰)

EXEM, the perfect partner for hybrid cloud monitoring and observability
EXEM redefines hybrid cloud monitoring and observability with exemONE, a SaaS solution that leverages AI-driven insights and automation to proactively prevent issues before they impact business operations.


Q) Korea is home to some of the world's most innovative ICT companies. These companies have secured an impressive domestic market share, shaping a unique ICT ecosystem. However, we are now at a turning point—if they want to continue growing and expand internationally, they must overcome new challenges. What are the opportunities and challenges for ICT companies that have built themselves domestically as they enter the global stage?

A) For a long time, Korea remained relatively isolated, and many in Western countries saw it as an unknown nation in the East. This perception persisted for several hundred years. However, starting in the 1960s, many manufacturing-based businesses began expanding their exports, allowing Korea to step onto the global stage. This played a crucial role in driving our economic growth to where it stands today.

Interestingly, from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, K-pop and K-dramas began gaining international recognition. When these cultural assets met platforms like YouTube and Netflix, their global impact skyrocketed. Today, K-pop and K-dramas are recognized worldwide.

I believe the same applies to software. Korea has developed a highly advanced cloud environment and has accumulated software technology expertise for over 20 years. We now have the momentum and expertise to make a global impact. However, what we need is the right platform to amplify our strengths. This means embracing cloud-based services such as SaaS and applying them effectively. This is both the challenge and the opportunity that Korea's software industry faces today.


Q) You mentioned that Korea already has a well-developed cloud environment. With the global datasphere expected to reach 200 zettabytes in the coming years, there is a growing demand for cloud infrastructure, data management, and data mobility. From your expertise, what will be the key challenges for cloud computing in the future, and how can Korea’s strong cloud environment respond to these challenges?

A) One of Korea’s unique strengths is its ability to rapidly adapt and seize opportunities once the right environment is established. While Netflix and YouTube are American companies, K-pop and K-dramas have thrived on these platforms, leveraging them to reach a global audience. I believe the same principle applies to software. Cloud platforms are dominated by AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Oracle. However, many Korean companies are at the forefront of innovation, applying their own technologies and ideas swiftly and efficiently to meet clients’ specific needs. This adaptability and smart execution define Korean companies and professionals.

Looking at the cloud industry, the United States has been developing its cloud ecosystem for over a decade, whereas Korea started focusing on cloud infrastructure about two to three years ago. This timing presents a significant opportunity. Korea now has the necessary infrastructure and expertise to leverage its skills and develop the technologies required for the future.

At EXEM, we have long specialized in on-premises system software. However, two years ago, we shifted our focus and resources toward cloud development, particularly in IT system monitoring platforms. This transition has attracted many new clients. These environmental shifts, coupled with the unique strengths of Korean companies and professionals, will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Korea’s software industry.


Q) The Korean government has prioritized the development of AI-driven solutions. We have spoken with several semiconductor and battery equipment manufacturers, such as Sejong Technology, which implements AI-driven vision and inspection systems to revolutionize semiconductor battery production. From your perspective, how do you see AI transforming enterprises across various industries?

Korea is not primarily focused on developing entirely new technologies—that role is typically played by the United States and China, as they excel in setting global technology trends. However, Korea has a strong advantage in application. When we look at generative AI, the U.S. and China are at the forefront of its development. This is why I believe Korea should concentrate on vertical AI.

One of the key challenges we face is a lack of GPU resources. The Korean government is planning to acquire 18,000 GPUs over the next two years. While this is significantly fewer than what companies like Meta or OpenAI possess, it aligns with Korea’s strategic focus. Due to our limited infrastructure, we must concentrate on vertical AI, which offers us a competitive edge on the global stage.

At EXEM, we have embraced this approach. AI plays a crucial role in IT system quality management by detecting faulty processes and predicting defects more efficiently than traditional methods. Korean companies, including EXEM, are capitalizing on vertical AI to create value in specialized fields. Competing directly with the U.S. and China in groundbreaking technology development is unrealistic, so our focus must remain on what we do best—leveraging AI in vertical applications.

EXEM has been investing in AI for eight years, beginning in 2017. In 2019, we introduced AI Ops, an AI-driven IT system monitoring solution that detects abnormalities and predicts failures using machine learning and deep learning. These technologies have been successfully implemented in Korean banks and one of the core government institutions. We also developed ExemOne, a platform now incorporating AI. By late 2025, we plan to transition ExemOne into a SaaS solution. By integrating AI with our 25 years of expertise in IT performance analytics, we aim to create a SaaS platform that offers a strong competitive advantage on the global stage.


Q) Founded in 2001, EXEM has established itself as the undisputed leader in database performance management in South Korea, holding over 50% of the domestic market share. The company further solidified its presence by achieving a KOSDAQ listing in 2015. Could you walk us through the key milestones that have shaped EXEM’s journey to becoming a market leader?

A) EXEM was founded in 2001 as a database performance monitoring company (DPM). Fortunately, we have remained the number one company in this field in Korea for the past 25 years. Our flagship database management system (DBMS) monitoring solution, MaxGauge, has been instrumental in achieving this position.

A decade ago, we expanded into application performance monitoring (APM), introducing InterMax, an end-to-end monitoring solution. Today, many Korean banks and stock firms rely on this solution. In 2019, we ventured into cloud and AI monitoring. In 2024, we launched an observability solution called ‘exemONE’ covering server, database, network, and application monitoring. 

When companies introduce new technologies, securing clients can be challenging. However, EXEM had a relatively smooth path due to the trust we built over 25 years through our point monitoring solutions. These solutions were integrated into exemONE offering a comprehensive monitoring platform that global conglomerates, financial institutions, and local organizations have adopted.

In 2016, we introduced Flamingo, a big data performance monitoring solution. Additionally, we developed EBIGs, a database storage and management solution tailored for big data systems. These solutions, along with our extensive product portfolio, have cemented our position as an industry leader.

Another significant milestone was our acquisition of Sinsiway, a company specializing in encryption solutions and database access management. After acquiring Sinsiway, we successfully listed it as a public company. Since database security is closely related to our core business, this acquisition presents new opportunities for EXEM in the cybersecurity domain.


Q) You've been working with several local governments on various projects. You are implementing EBIGs(EXEM BIG data system) within these projects to integrate AI and big data management, delivering data to users, citizens, and enterprises. Can you share how your solutions have successfully addressed the challenges of such large-scale initiatives?

A) Our work with the Seoul Metropolitan Government is significant because it's the first time one of South Korea’s local governments is engaging in generative AI projects. This is a key opportunity for us, as we have combined our big data platform expertise with generative AI technology. Since this is a new experience for government officials, our role has been crucial in facilitating adoption.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has vast amounts of data spanning the economy, environment, and population, but these datasets were previously fragmented. We developed a platform to consolidate this dispersed data and combine it with a large language model that enables intuitive searches. This platform has proven highly beneficial for both government officials and Seoul citizens. The positive feedback has been overwhelming—80% of Seoul citizens reported high satisfaction with our solution, known as the Seoul Data Hub or the Seoul Big Data Service Platform. Following the success of this project, numerous other local governments have reached out to benchmark our technology.

Our solution analyzes and visualizes Seoul's demographic and other data, making it more accessible and actionable for officials and citizens. While cities like New York, London, and Berlin have similar services, we are at the forefront when it comes to integrating generative AI and advanced data visualization.


Q) Returning to exemONE, your performance monitoring system has further integrated your solutions end-to-end. Today, the market is dominated by major players. Could you elaborate on what differentiates exemONE for on-premise and cloud environment monitoring solution compared to these industry leaders?

Companies like Datadog, Dynatrace, and New Relic are industry giants, and they had a head start in cloud-based software services. When we developed ExemOne, we initially focused on on-premise software rather than SaaS. This was a strategic choice because Korean companies and institutions require highly customized solutions. We excel in providing tailored services, with our top engineers offering 24/7 technical support.

One key differentiator is our responsiveness—our support team works around the clock, even at 2 AM or on weekends, ensuring that our clients receive immediate assistance. In contrast, global players often struggle with delays in technical support. Our comprehensive, point-to-point services—including database performance management and APM solutions—are integrated into a single offering, which is what we now provide through exemONE.

Additionally, we have developed expertise in analyzing the rapidly increasing volume of information and system logs, making us a preferred choice for many Korean enterprises. Six years ago, we began incorporating AI into our portfolio, significantly reducing operational costs. While we dominate the domestic market, we recognize the need to compete globally with companies like Datadog, Dynatrace, and New Relic. To do so, we are investing in new solutions, including a SaaS product set to launch this year. This marks a major paradigm shift for EXEM and is a crucial milestone for our company. Competing with global firms is driving our passion and determination to innovate further.


Q) In 2023, EXEM successfully deployed MaxGauge for major Korean conglomerates like Samsung, including their factories in the U.S. You’ve also partnered with companies in Japan and other international markets. Could you elaborate on your global expansion strategy? Do you see exemONE as the key tool for further international growth?

We have had international branches in the U.S., China, and Japan for over a decade, focusing primarily on database performance management. While we have provided solutions to these markets, we encountered significant challenges. One major hurdle was our reliance on on-premise installation-based solutions rather than cloud-based SaaS. Since our products were manufactured in Korea and then shipped abroad, deployment was complex and resource-intensive.

However, with the launch of our SaaS platform (beta release in 2025 and official release in 2026), these barriers will be significantly reduced. This shift allows us to deliver our solutions more efficiently to the global market. We also have strong references from major financial institutions and global enterprises, sectors where IT system reliability is critical. As these companies transition to cloud-based systems, we believe they will choose exemONE for its proven capabilities.

Another pillar of our international strategy is leveraging Korean companies’ overseas expansions. As they establish operations abroad, they bring our solutions with them, exposing our technology to new markets. We anticipate that once global firms experience the capabilities of exemONE, it will naturally drive further international adoption. To support this growth, we are refining our technology and strengthening our marketing efforts by expanding our global workforce.


Q) When looking at competitors like Datadog, they have long-standing brand recognition, strong visibility on social media, and are easy to find. However, it’s unclear whether their technology is actually superior to EXEM’s. Korea has often struggled with global brand recognition. What do you think will be the turning point for people to realize that a Korean SaaS solution is the right choice for them? How will this impact your growth?

Over the past 25 years, we have built a strong technological foundation. However, when it comes to gaining global recognition, particularly in SaaS, I believe timing and opportunity also play a crucial role in market success.

Social media has become a game-changer. A single viral post can dramatically impact a company’s sales and reputation, either positively or negatively. For EXEM, the key is to secure a major reference client—a flagship customer that validates our solution’s credibility. In Korea, companies like Samsung Electronics or LG Electronics serve as industry benchmarks. If they adopt our technology, other businesses naturally follow. This principle applies globally as well. When a major U.S. or Chinese conglomerate implements exemONE, it will create a domino effect, accelerating adoption across industries.

Many SaaS companies follow the "long-tail" strategy—building revenue through numerous small-scale sales. While that approach has merit, I firmly believe that securing one major customer will have a far greater impact on our expansion, sales, and overall market presence. This is the core strategy we are focusing on.


Q) This report aims to bring together leading voices from Korea’s ICT sector, offering insights into what it means to be an IT company in Korea. As EXEM expands globally, what key message would you like our readers to take away from your perspective?

Korea has undergone distinct economic and societal shifts over the decades. The 1960s and 1970s were dominated by politics—government officials held absolute power over national affairs. Then, in the 1980s and 1990s, we entered the era of capitalism, where corporations gained unprecedented influence. By the early 2000s, it became evident that business leaders wielded more power than political figures.

Since 2010, we have transitioned into the era of technology. Today, discussions about AI and cloud computing are not limited to IT professionals—they happen everywhere, even in restaurants and casual conversations. Just a few years ago, this would have seemed unusual, but now it is the norm. Technology is shaping economies, societies, and even politics. Even politicians are leveraging technology discourse to capture public attention—just look at how Elon Musk aligns himself with political figures.

I believe this "era of technology" will continue through the 2030s, marking a crucial turning point in global industry dynamics. Korean IT companies have an extraordinary opportunity in this environment, and we must focus on developing and leading in this space. In short, technology is the driving force behind everything today, and Korean companies must seize this momentum to establish a strong global presence.

출처 : The Worldfolio (링크)