> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://academy.pentaho.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://academy.pentaho.com/getting-started/start-here/enterprise-trial.md).
# Enterprise Edition
Request an Enterprise Edition trial on pentaho.com. An Account Executive validates your request and supports you through the evaluation.
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**Sandbox — for testing purposes only.** This is a sandbox version of the new Getting Started section, published so it can be tested. Some links and details are still being verified, and REPLACE-ME markers are intentional. The current Academy is at [academy.pentaho.com](https://academy.pentaho.com/).
{% endhint %}
The Pentaho Enterprise Edition trial is the full product, with a named Pentaho Account Executive (AE) alongside you. Take this route if you're building a real proof of concept rather than learning the tool. It's also where the **Data Integration Practitioner** course is delivered.
{% columns %}
{% column %}
:server: Full product server and design tools
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:user-tie: Named AE alongside your evaluation
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{% column %}
:calendar-days: 2–3 business days to be assigned
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:key: Licence by email URL or activation ID
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**The request form lives on pentaho.com, not here.** You'll leave the Academy to fill it in and come back once your licence arrives. This page covers both halves — what to do before you go, and what to do when you're back.
{% endhint %}
***
## Before you go
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
#### Check this is the right route
The Enterprise trial is support-led. That's its strength and its cost: you get the full product and a person who knows it, but nothing happens for a couple of days.
Take a different route if you just want to look at Pentaho Data Integration ([Try it — hosted session](/getting-started/start-here/hosted.md), about 10 minutes once you have a voucher) or, if you're a student, at an academic institution or at a non-profit, learn it on your own machine ([Developer Edition](/getting-started/start-here/developer-edition.md), by application).
Take this one if you need enterprise features, your own data at real volume, or a trial period that matches an actual evaluation deadline.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
#### Get these ready
The form is short, but three answers determine how well your trial goes. Have them straight before you start:
* **What you're trying to evaluate** — the specific thing you need to prove, not "we're looking at ETL tools." This is what your AE uses to size the trial and to bring in the right technical help.
* **Roughly when you need to decide** — this sets your trial length.
* **Your work email address.** Requests from personal addresses take longer to validate.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
#### Submit the form on pentaho.com
This opens pentaho.com in a new tab. Come back here once you've submitted — the rest of this page is what happens next.
Choose the **trial** option rather than demo or sales — that's the one that routes to a support-led evaluation.
{% hint style="success" icon="bookmark" %}
**Bookmark this page before you go.** Your licence email will contain a download link, but not the install and workshop instructions. This is where you'll want to land when it arrives.
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{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
***
## While you wait
Expect **2–3 business days**. Two things happen in that window: your request is assigned to an Account Executive in your region, and they validate it — confirming your organisation, the use case, and the trial length you need. You'll hear from a named person, not a no-reply address. If a detail is missing they'll ask rather than reject it.
Don't wait idly. Most people use the gap productively:
{% columns %}
{% column width="50%" %}
**Run a workshop now**
Request a hosted-lab voucher and you can be working in PDI in about 10 minutes.
Work through your first PDI workshop while your request is validated, so you've got the basics down.
Open the hosted lab
{% endcolumn %}
{% column width="50%" %}
**Get your environment ready**
* Confirm your data sources and credentials
* Confirm who else needs trial access
* Skim the install guide to ensure a smooth deployment
Pentaho 11 install guide
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***
## When your licence arrives
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
#### Download and apply your licence
Your Pentaho Account Executive sends a download URL together with your licence — either a **licence URL** or an **activation ID**.
Licence URL or activation ID
Sent by your Pentaho Account Executive — specific to your trial, don't share it
Download URL
Sent with your licence
Trial length
Agreed with your Account Executive
Install the product first, then apply the licence with the licence URL or activation ID from your Account Executive's email.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
#### Install
Enterprise Edition installs the Pentaho Server as well as the design tools, so it's a longer install than Developer Edition. Follow the full guide, then verify both components start.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Pentaho Server" %}
Windows:
```powershell
cd \
cd Pentaho/server/pentaho-server
./start-server.bat
```
Linux:
```bash
cd /opt/pentaho/pentaho-server
./start-server.sh
```
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Data Integration" %}
Windows:
```powershell
cd \
cd Pentaho/design-tools/data-integration
./spoon.bat
```
Linux:
```bash
cd ~/Pentaho/design-tools/data-integration
./spoon.sh
```
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
#### Run the Data Integration Practitioner course
Enterprise Edition is where the **Data Integration Practitioner** course is delivered. It's built against this release, so every screen, menu and dialog matches the guide step for step.
It also covers the server-side capability Developer Edition doesn't have — scheduling, enterprise security and Pipeline Designer.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
#### Check in with your Pentaho Account Executive
Your Pentaho Account Executive will follow up during the trial. That conversation is more useful if you bring specifics — which workshops you got through, what you connected to, and where you got stuck.
If you hit something blocking, contact them directly rather than waiting for the scheduled check-in. Extending or resetting a trial is straightforward while it's running.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
***
## If something goes wrong
I submitted the form and haven't heard anything
Allow 2–3 business days. Check your spam folder — the first email comes from a named person rather than a no-reply address, so it sometimes gets filtered. After three business days, email with the address you used on the form.
I filled in the form but I'm not sure it was the right one
The pentaho.com form covers trials, demos, and sales enquiries. If you picked demo or sales by mistake you'll still hear from someone — mention that you want a support-led trial when they reply, and they'll route it.
My licence URL or activation ID isn't working
Reply to your AE's email — they can reissue it.
I need the trial extended
Ask your AE. Extensions during an active trial are routine, especially where the delay was on our side.
I just want to look at the product, not run an AE evaluation
A couple of options are available:
Take the [hosted lab](/getting-started/start-here/hosted.md) instead — request a voucher, start in about 10 minutes, a 5-hour session with no sales follow-up.
Apply for [Developer Edition](/getting-started/start-here/developer-edition.md) (PDI) if you're a student, at an academic institution or at a non-profit — free, with downloadable workshops.
{% hint style="info" icon="life-ring" %}
**Still stuck?**
Press Ctrl + K and click **Ask** to search every page on this site, or email .
{% endhint %}
---
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