In the vibrant world of software development, where innovation is paramount, Tom Riglar, the co-founder of Moropo, stands out as a pioneer. Joining us for a compelling interview at the Bright Founders Talk hosted by Temy, an international software company, Tom shares his journey and the genesis of Moropo.
From humble beginnings as a developer and entrepreneur who has ventured through numerous startups, Tom now focuses on expanding Moropo, which launched last year and is already making significant strides. Born out of the challenges encountered in his previous venture, an app development agency, Moropo aims to revolutionize the testing process in software development. Tom recounts the evolution of their testing methods, from manual checks to exploring automated testing with open-source tools, which, while initially promising, presented significant maintenance challenges.
This journey led to the innovative idea behind Moropo, culminating in securing a substantial Innovate UK smart grant, propelling them into a phase of robust research and development. As Moropo continues to grow, Tom's vision for a streamlined, efficient testing process is becoming a crucial tool for developers worldwide. This interview delves into the technical trials and triumphs that define Moropo's mission to refine software development.
Tom Riglar on Innovating Software Testing: A Journey from Manual Hassles to Automated Solutions
As Tom delves into the narrative of Moropo's inception, it's clear that the journey from a small app development agency to a burgeoning tech innovator was fueled by necessity. The crux of the matter lay in software testing—a process teeming with bugs and unintended consequences that often led their project manager through a tiresome validation maze. "Our testing methods had to evolve," Tom recalls, highlighting the initial reliance on shared efforts between their team and clients which, while collaborative, proved increasingly cumbersome as their agency expanded.
The shift towards automation seemed a logical step, but it was fraught with its own set of challenges. Tom vividly describes the arduous weeks spent setting up automated testing tools like Appium and XC UI test, which, despite their potential, demanded extensive maintenance that hardly justified their implementation. "We were like, 'Yeah, awesome, we've finally got these automated tests running,' but then the maintenance was a nightmare," Tom laughs. This real-world struggle highlighted a gap in the market for something more efficient—something that could handle the complexities of testing without the excessive jargon and upkeep.
Reflecting on the birth of Moropo, Tom shares a candid insight that captures the essence of their breakthrough: "When I manually test something, I know exactly what's wrong because I see it." This simple yet profound realization sparked the development of Moropo's innovative approach to software testing, leading to significant grant funding and a promising launch. As Tom looks towards the future, his enthusiasm is palpable, "It’s been an exciting period for us," signaling not just growth for Moropo but a potential revolution in how software testing is conducted across the industry.
Fast-Paced Innovation: Tom Riglar on Transitioning from Agency to Product Development
Tom Riglar has always thrived under pressure, preferring the rapid, dynamic pace of startups over the sluggish movement of enterprise environments. "I like to work fast, fail fast, and make a lot of mistakes early on," Tom shares with a grin, reflecting his preference for quick iterations and learning from failures swiftly. This mindset has not only shaped his personal work ethic but has also deeply influenced the culture and operational strategies at Moropo.
I like to work fast, fail fast, and make a lot of mistakes early on
Tom RiglarCo-Founder of Moropo
The transition from running a successful agency to steering a product-centric business brought significant learning curves and realizations. Initially, Moropo's development team was sizeable, but Tom soon discovered that a smaller, more focused group could achieve much more. "We slimmed down our development team from eight to three, and suddenly, we were producing twice as much work," Tom reveals. This approach emphasizes quality over quantity, fostering intense knowledge-sharing and efficiency—lessons that he wishes had been realized earlier to fast-track their success.
Looking ahead, Tom outlines two primary focuses for Moropo: enhancing the user experience on their platform and ensuring the stability of their services. The goal is to provide a seamless, integrated environment for quality assurance engineers to test mobile apps without the hassle of juggling multiple tools. "We're creating a platform where QA engineers can focus on shipping great apps, not building the tooling," Tom explains, demonstrating his commitment to streamlining the development and testing process to deliver top-notch software solutions efficiently.
Harnessing AI with Caution: Tom Riglar's Prudent Approach to Innovation in Software Testing
Tom Riglar is navigating the complex waters of integrating artificial intelligence into software development with a blend of enthusiasm and caution. "We use AI like copilots to bridge skill gaps and speed up development," Tom explains, illustrating how his team leverages AI to write code in languages they aren't familiar with, such as Swift for iOS applications. This strategic application of AI helps Moropo maintain a competitive edge without compromising the quality of their work, ensuring that their development process remains robust and adaptable.
We use AI like copilots to bridge skill gaps and speed up development
Tom RiglarCo-Founder of Moropo
However, when it comes to incorporating AI into their main product, Moropo treads carefully. Tom is acutely aware of the pitfalls that AI can introduce, such as generating false positives or negatives in testing scenarios—a risk that could undermine the trust developers place in their tools. "We're intentionally conservative with AI in our product. Not because we're skeptical of AI itself, but because we don't want anything to erode the trust in those results," Tom asserts. This cautious approach reflects a broader skepticism within the testing community, prompting Moropo to consider a more transparent and integrated method for future AI implementations.
Looking forward, Tom envisions a system where AI tools enhance Moropo's platform without obscuring the processes. "If we introduce AI, it will be in a way that's transparent, allowing integration with existing AI tools rather than hiding them behind a black box," he explains. This strategy aims to cater to enterprises that prefer not to share data through public AI tools, offering a customizable and secure alternative. Tom's balanced strategy highlights his commitment to innovation that respects user needs and industry concerns, setting Moropo apart as a leader thoughtful about technological integration.
Tom Riglar on Staying Agile in a Rapidly Changing Tech Landscape
Tom Riglar, co-founder of Moropo, reveals his pragmatic approach to business planning amidst the tech industry's constant evolution. "We plan in six to eight week bursts," Tom explains, allowing his team to adapt swiftly and remain aligned with the immediate needs of their infrastructure and stability projects. This short-cycle planning not only keeps the team focused but also enables them to pivot quickly in response to changing conditions. Right now, the primary goal is enhancing system stability, with customer service and promotional activities like this interview playing a supportive role.
Tom's strategy for keeping ahead in such a dynamic environment involves a curated intake of information. "I read a lot of newsletters," he admits, emphasizing the importance of staying updated without becoming overwhelmed by the noise of social media. By subscribing to around ten carefully chosen newsletters, Tom efficiently skims for relevant content that impacts his business directly. This methodical approach to information helps him stay informed on trends and developments without the distraction of less structured platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn.
