Model Context Protocol (MCP)

MCP is an open standard for connecting AI applications to external tools and data sources, so a single integration works across any AI client that supports it rather than being rebuilt per vendor.

Before a shared protocol, connecting a model to a system meant writing that integration again for each platform. MCP defines one interface, so a server exposing your CRM works with any MCP-capable client.

Practically it matters most for internal tooling, where the same handful of systems — ticketing, docs, database — need to be reachable from several AI surfaces without maintaining a separate integration for each.

Why it matters

It reduces lock-in. An integration built against a standard survives changing your AI vendor; one built against a proprietary plugin format does not.

Related terms

Tool Use (Function Calling)Tool use is a model's ability to call external functions — look up an order, send an email, query stock — by returning a structured request that your …API IntegrationAn API integration is a connection between two software systems that lets them exchange data automatically — a website sending orders to an accounting…AI AgentAn AI agent is a program that uses a language model to decide what steps to take toward a goal, then carries them out by calling real tools — sending …

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