If you are talking about the beta preceder, then it is likely that you are referring to the alpha. But there are other synonyms that you could use to describe a beta preceder, such as "predecessor," "forerunner," or "antecedent." All of these words describe something that came before something else, taking on a leading role that helped pave the way for something to follow. The term "beta preceder" can be used in various contexts, such as software development or scientific research, where the term is used to describe an earlier version or iteration of a product or experiment.