What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)? A plain explanation
Without a standard, every connection between an AI assistant and a program has to be custom-built. With MCP, whoever makes a program publishes an "MCP server" that describes what can be read and done, and any compatible assistant can use it.
It is an open standard, supported by several assistants and tools. For a business, this means that connecting AI to your own systems becomes more like installing a connector than commissioning a project. The permissions for each connection still need to be decided, and with care.
An example in an SMB
A services company connects its AI assistant to its CRM through a read-only MCP server. The sales team asks "which customers haven't we spoken to in three months?" and gets the list from the CRM, without exporting spreadsheets. Writing to the CRM stays off limits.
The most common mistakes
- Installing third-party MCP servers without knowing who wrote them and what they do.
- Granting write permissions when read access is enough.
- Connecting too many tools at once: more connections, more ways to go wrong.
Why it matters to you
MCP changes how you buy connections between AI and business software. Before commissioning a custom integration, it is worth asking whether your management software, CRM or email service already has an official MCP server. Often it does, and the work shifts from programming to choosing the permissions.
All the words of AI, explained simply, are in the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
Does MCP only work with Claude?
No. It is an open standard, and several assistants and tools support it.
Is it safe?
As safe as the servers you connect and the permissions you grant. Treat them like any other access to your systems.
Who writes MCP servers?
Often the maker of the program itself, sometimes the community or third parties. The maker's official servers are usually the safest choice, because they are updated along with the program.
Read next
What is function calling? AI that uses your software
Function calling, or tool use, is the ability of an AI model to decide when to use an external tool, such as searching your management system or sending a message, and to prepare the right data to do it.
GlossaryWhat an AI agent is, and how it differs from a chatbot
A chatbot answers. An agent acts: it decides the steps, uses software and sees a task through.
GlossaryWhat are the guardrails of an AI agent?
They are the limits you decide: what the agent can touch, what it must ask you about, and what it can never do.
Want to understand what your business really needs, without the jargon? Let's talk.
Text and graphics created with the support of AI. Method and content are AIR's.