The switch builds a problem-solving infrastructure layer for uncoded tools

Codeless / low code Software developers are looking for next-generation tool kits to create increasingly sophisticated “smart” applications to meet rapidly growing demand. Creating an innovative development platform that combines the first error monitoring and incident response functions for code-free environments, Switchboard has emerged as a leader in the genre and today unveiled a new layer of infrastructure for the platform.

With this new level of functionality, Switch allows companies that rely on code-free and low-code tools to monitor the health of their automation and identify potential errors before they break down. The company claims that its technology allows teams to see more uptime, more reliability and a smoother workflow. It currently supports service providers such as Zapier (which allows users to integrate the web applications they use and automate workflows) and Make (formerly Integromat, a visual platform for creating workflows).

The investment society is also interested in it. The company, based in Atlanta, Georgia, also announced today that it has closed a $ 4.5 million initial investment period led by Slow Ventures, a venture capital firm known for its investments in social networking platforms, consumer brands and software. -service (SaaS) and Web3.

The no-code trend continues to grow

The number of companies is growing adoption of code-free platforms (such as application builders, databases, automation platforms, and design tools) to bridge the gap between expensive technical development and the speed and agility required for day-to-day operations. However, serious problems can arise when any of these platforms experience a change in key information or a breakdown in communication.

CEO and co-founder Philip But told VentureBeat that Switchboard aims to prevent accidents by tracking these platforms, reporting inconsistencies and then identifying potential remedies. With the new financing, the company will take the problem-solving opportunities one step further. By using artificial intelligence to anticipate and prevent failures, the company can save its users a lot of time and costly mistakes.

For example, before a team settles a question in the form of sales potential on its website, the Switch automates notifications to the editor that changes are also needed in the relevant database or customer relationship management. (CRM) system, the company claimed.

“Switchboard is one of the most far-sighted companies that has traditionally adapted developer-oriented tools and processes to a new frontier of codeless platforms,” ​​said Sam Lessin, a senior consultant at Slow Ventures. “As companies reinvent themselves using these platforms, it’s important to understand not only the relationship between applications, but also how well data moves within the organization.”

What distinguishes a switch?

“There are already a lot of uncoded tools in databases such as Airable, Zapier and Retool,” said VentureBeat. “A computer platform is a meta layer on top of code-free tool gaps to provide (initially) error monitoring, just as there are error monitoring tools for developer-specific software in AWS, and so on.

However, the switch is not considered autonomous or self-healing, in the sense that it does not automatically repair codeless automation (at least today). “However, we are significantly reducing the delay time that all codeless tools warn of errors,” he said. “We believe that non-coded professionals need to understand their infrastructure at the same level as traditional developers so that they can fix work before a significant business impact.”

Development of future Web3 type applications

“Many early software developments are now done by creating prototypes that work on codeless tools, rather than providing non-functional wire frames to customers,” said VentureBeat. “Some programs built without code are strengthening multimillion-dollar companies today, and infrastructure is always needed when businesses depend on these tools,” he said.

“We see this trend continuing as Web3 applications become more popular for organizations that need to develop applications cheaply and quickly.” Reliable infrastructure will always be important when there is a need for critical work time. ”

Founded in 2021 by However and Brent Summers, Switchboard has headquarters in Atlanta and San Francisco, and remote team members are spread all over the world. In his final role as a solution architect, however, he recently used code to set up the recruitment process for more than 15,000 real estate agents at Compass. During the pandemic, Summers, as co-founder of the nonprofit HelpKitchen, relied on codeless tools to provide more than a million meals to those in need.

“When codeless automation breaks down, teams can’t trust them for critical business needs. With Switchboard, we aim to help teams succeed and scale with the tools they already love, ”Summers said.

A mix of new and existing investors took part in the round, including Backend Capital, Charge Ventures, Caffeinated Capital, Overline Ventures, Forum Ventures, Soma Capital, TnT Ventures, New Normal Ventures and Polymath Capital. A number of well-known non-code founders, including Zapier, Bubble, Betty Blocks, Internal and Carrd, have invested.

Market leaders in the codeless / low code development space, According to G2Covers companies such as ServiceNow, Airtable, Appy Pie, Quixy, AppSheet, Jotform Tables, SurveySparrow and Salesforce Platform.