Model Context Protocol (MCP)
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI agents connect to external systems and use their data and functions through one common interface.
Definition
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting AI agents to external systems. Instead of a separate integration for every AI model, a system offers one MCP server that any MCP-compatible agent can use.
How MCP works
- MCP server: the system that provides data and functions, for example an Order Management System.
- MCP client: the AI agent or application that uses them.
- Tools and resources: the actions and data the server exposes, such as checking availability or order status.
MCP in commerce
In agentic commerce, AI agents check availability, place orders and track status across many systems. MCP gives them one consistent way to do that, which is why several commerce protocols build on it.
MCP and order management
With an MCP server, agents and external systems can manage orders in natural language instead of through proprietary APIs. The fulfillmenttools MCP Server provides this interface and implements Order Network eXchange (onX) for a common order schema.