Getting access to the platform

Welcome to IBM RPA! It offers several deployment options as listed in the following topics. Each option includes instructions to setup the IBM RPA environment so you get started on your automation journey.

For more information about pricing or to talk to an expert, see IBM Robotic Process Automation pricing.

Trial experience

In this offering, you can get your first experience with IBM Robotic Process Automation. The trial gives you access to an environment with IBM RPA Studio pre-configured at no-cost for 30 days to build bots.

Complete the form to get a trial tenant.

During the registration process, you receive an email with instructions to log in to IBM RPA Control Center. After you log in to it, follow the guided tour to get access to the virtual desktop where you can develop bots.

Academic edition

In this offering, you can get IBM RPA through the IBM SkillsBuild Software Downloads, where you can download IBM RPA to use for teaching, learning, and noncommercial research at degree-granting academic institutions.

You must register with an academic email, issued with .edu domain name, to qualify for the Academic edition.

IBM Robotic Process Automation as a Service

These instructions assume that you purchased a platform part for IBM RPA.

In this offering, you need to set up and install the client environment only. You must receive the Welcome email with the data that you need to log in to your tenant.

For instructions on how to access the platform for the first time, see Login with user and password.

After you signed in, you're ready to install IBM RPA SaaS client. If you want to create a new user to your tenant, as an extra step, follow the steps for creating a user.

Next step: Install IBM RPA SaaS client

IBM Robotic Process Automation on premises

These instructions assume that you purchased a platform part for IBM RPA.

In this offering, you need to set up and install the server and client environments in a stand-alone deployment.

Download IBM RPA through the Passport Advantage Online. It refers to Site Primary (or Secondary) Contact as the customer who purchased an IBM product. The Primary Contact receives a Welcome email with a link to download the software from Passport Advantage Online.

Follow the next steps if your user isn't the Primary Contact and you need to get access to Passport Advantage Online to download the software.

Go to Passport Advantage Online for Customers.
Click the Sign in to your PAO Site button.
Sign in with your Web ID or register for one and then sign in.
Enter your Site ID.
Select No, and click Submit.

The site Primary Contact receives an automated email from IBM indicating that a new user wants to have access to the Passport Advantage system.

As Primary Contact, complete the following steps:

Go to Passport Advantage Online for Customers.
Click the Account Management area.
Click the Manage Access option. In this area, manage the permissions for users within the site, approve or reject permission requests, and configure access to different options.

Next step: Install IBM RPA on premises

IBM Robotic Process Automation on Red Hat® OpenShift® Container Platform

In this offering, you need to set up and install the server environment in a container-based on Red Hat OpenShift deployment, and the client environment in a stand-alone deployment. The IBM RPA client software is not container-based.

You must receive the Welcome email with the data that you need to log in to your tenant. Check the previous instructions for IBM Robotic Process Automation on premises to sign in to Passport Advantage Online.

To deploy IBM RPA on premises server on a container-based deployment, you must license OpenShift Container Platform 4.x and Container Storage from Red Hat.