Quick answer: MCP, the Model Context Protocol, is an open standard that lets an AI assistant connect to your business tools and data in a controlled way, so it can look things up and help with tasks instead of only chatting.
The problem MCP solves
An AI assistant on its own knows nothing about your customers, orders or invoices. Staff copy information into the chat and copy answers back out, which is slow and easy to get wrong.
How MCP works
- An MCP server sits in front of a tool, such as your ERP, files or a database, and describes what it can do.
- The AI application connects to the server and can use only the actions the server offers.
- You set the limits: what can be read, what can be changed, and what needs approval.
What it means for a business
- Staff ask questions in plain language and get answers from live company data.
- Routine work, like preparing a report or finding a record, takes minutes.
- One standard replaces many one-off integrations.
Start small
Begin with read-only access to one system and one clear task. Add more only after you trust the results.
See our AI services or our guide to MCP servers.
FAQ
Is MCP only for developers?
Developers set it up, but the people who benefit are the staff who use the assistant day to day.
Is it safe?
It is as safe as the permissions you give it, so limit access and review what the assistant does.