For over two months now I’ve had to keep biting my lip in conversations, because of a very powerful development happening behind the scenes in the world of Go Test It. I could barely contain my excitement… And now, at last, the news is out: Red Gate Software have agreed to acquire Ept Computing, the company behind Go Test It!
We decided to tie the knot for several reasons. Red Gate make a range of tools for developers, DBAs and sysadmins, with a focus on simple use and powerful results – much the same philosophy as we carry for Go Test It. Whilst testing tools are not currently part of the palette, we expect that our product will complement Red Gate’s product range very well, and potentially pave the way for expansion into new market segments.
For customers and suppliers of Go Test It, all stays the same for now: our team is continuing to work in the same way, and I personally will definitely continue working on the product full-time for another 10 months at least (during which we will gradually hand over to people in Red Gate who are without doubt better than me). Over the next months you will also see a lot of progress: as a part of Red Gate we have access to many excellent people and resources, and together we will work towards being the undisputed leaders of cross-browser testing. Watch us make Go Test It so great that you’d be crazy not to use it!
As it happens, Red Gate is not new to web application testing: a few years ago, they had a load testing tool called ANTS Load, but it was discontinued for a variety of reasons. With the acquisition of Go Test It, Red Gate is re-entering this market with a fresh perspective and renewed inspiration.
We’ve also known each other for a while – in fact, some of the Go Test It developers, along with other startups, have been borrowing desks from Red Gate for more than 8 months already. Our unique arrangement is so cool that even Joel Spolsky wrote about it. Through the Springboard incubator, Red Gate were able to track Go Test It’s progress month by month, and were thus in a uniquely informed position when the possibility of an acquisition was considered.
Right now, Red Gate focusses on companies working on Microsoft platforms; maybe we will give a similar focus to Go Test It, maybe not. Where the market will lead us we do not know, but we are definitely listening. Tell us in the comments: what do you want from Go Test It? Or drop me an email – I look forward to hearing from you.