What is included in the io.Connect free trial?
One registration provides access to:
| Environment | What it is intended for |
|---|---|
| io.Connect Browser trial | Exploring predefined applications, Workspaces, and integrated workflows as an end user. |
| io.Connect Desktop trial | Installing, configuring, customizing, and developing with io.Connect Desktop on your own machine. |
| FDC3 Developer Sandbox | Importing FDC3 applications and experimenting with contexts, channels, intents, and other FDC3 functionality. |
Although the same account is used for all three, the environments provide different levels of access.
Do I need separate accounts in order to try io.Connect Browser, io.Connect Desktop, and the FDC3 Sandbox?
No.
Use the email address and password you created when accepting the trial invitation for:
- The Browser trial.
- The Desktop installer.
- The FDC3 Developer Sandbox.
The invitation email contains the link for activating your account and also provides access to the Sandbox.
How is the Browser trial different from the Desktop trial?
io.Connect Browser trial
The hosted Browser trial is primarily a demonstration environment.
You are logged in as a user and can:
- Open predefined Workspaces.
- Launch the included applications.
- Explore the Launchpad.
- Select clients, instruments, or other data.
- See how one application can update or trigger another.
- Experience integrated multi-application workflows.
You don’t receive backend access to the hosted platform, application projects, app stores, or configuration files. This means that the hosted Browser trial isn’t intended to be a complete io.Connect Browser development environment.
io.Connect Desktop trial
The Desktop trial is installed locally and provides access to the platform files and configuration.
It’s intended for a deeper technical evaluation. You can:
- Add, remove, and modify application definitions.
- Add your own web or native applications.
- Make applications interop-enabled.
- Change system-wide and application-specific settings.
- Customize the platform’s appearance.
- Create or modify themes.
- Change Launchpad, Workspaces, window, and Layout behavior.
- Experiment with data sharing and window-management functionality.
- Inspect platform and application logs.
- Build your own integrated workflows.
The Desktop trial provides a complete io.Connect developer experience.
What can I use the Free Trial for?
The Free Trial can be used for internal evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration.
The Free Trial must not be used as a production system or as part of a commercial service.
Contact interop.io before using io.Connect for:
- Production workloads.
- Commercial projects.
- Customer-facing demonstrations or services.
- External pilots involving third parties.
- A formal proof of concept.
- A larger or longer evaluation.
For how long is the Free Trial valid?
The initial Free Trial period is 30 days.
For an extension feel free to contact us - we know a complete evaluation takes time.
The exact trial period and permitted use are governed by the io.Connect Trial Terms and Conditions.
My trial has expired. What should I do?
Contact interop.io and we’ll help you with resources, best practices and assist you during evaluation:
- Extending the evaluation period.
- Continuing with a structured proof of concept.
- Obtaining a commercial license.
- Evaluating a newer io.Connect version.
- Getting assistance with a specific use case or technical requirement.
How long does the invitation email take to arrive?
It will normally arrive shortly after you submit the registration form, but an exact delivery time isn’t guaranteed.
If you don’t see the email:
- Check Spam or Junk.
- Check Promotions, Other, or similar inbox categories.
- Search your mailbox for
interop.ioorio.Cloud - Check your email quarantine queue
If the invitation still doesn’t arrive, contact us here.
How do I activate my trial account?
Simply open the invitation email and select Accept invitation.
You’ll then be asked to:
- Use the business email address from your registration as your username.
- Create a password.
- Sign in to the trial environment.
Make sure you remember the password you’ve set - you’ll need the same credentials for the Desktop installer and the FDC3 Developer Sandbox.
Where can I access the FDC3 Developer Sandbox?
Open the FDC3 Developer Sandbox and sign in with the same email address and password used for the Free Trial.
What is the FDC3 Developer Sandbox?
The FDC3 Developer Sandbox is a hosted environment for experimenting with FDC3 applications and APIs.
You can use it to:
- Add an FDC3-enabled web application.
- Run it alongside sample applications.
- Broadcast FDC3 contexts.
- Join and test channels.
- Raise and handle intents.
- Observe how applications exchange information.
- Use FDC3 tools and examples without installing a Desktop Agent locally.
The Sandbox is focused specifically on FDC3 development and testing.
Is the FDC3 Sandbox the same as the Browser trial?
No.
Both run in the browser, but they serve different purposes.
The Browser trial demonstrates a broader io.Connect user experience using predefined applications, Workspaces, and workflows.
The FDC3 Sandbox is focused on adding and testing FDC3 applications, contexts, channels, and intents.
Can I add my own applications to the Desktop trial?
Yes.
You can add application definitions for your own web or native applications and launch them through io.Connect Desktop.
You can also modify or remove the bundled demo definitions and create an environment that represents your own use case.
Adding an application definition makes the application known to the platform. Making the application fully interop-enabled normally also requires initializing an io.Connect or FDC3 library inside the application.
What resources are available during the Free Trial?
Documentation
Tutorials and examples
The io.Connect documentation includes:
- JavaScript tutorials.
- Platform configuration guidance.
- Logging and troubleshooting information.
- API references.
Developer Community
The interop.io Developer Community contains:
- Tutorials and how-to articles.
- Technical discussions.
- Videos and walkthroughs.
- Troubleshooting tips.
- Practical integration patterns.
Bundled Desktop examples
The Desktop trial includes demo applications and predefined workflows that can be used as references before you add your own applications.
Contact and evaluation support
If you ever feel lost or need a hand use the interop.io contact form or post in the forum. .