Introduction to MCP

What is the Model Context Protocol?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open-source framework designed to bridge the gap between structured data and large language models (LLMs). Instead of relying on prompts or traditional SQL interfaces, MCP introduces a smarter way for LLMs to discover, understand, and work with your data by using registered tools and metadata.

Developed and maintained by Anthropic, MCP gives AI agents a structured understanding of the capabilities available for a given data source.

Introducing the CData MCP Server

The CData MCP Server for Salesforce Data Cloud is a lightweight local server that makes Salesforce Data Cloud data accessible to Claude Desktop using the MCP standard. Once configured, Claude can communicate with the MCP server to get the data it needs to answer nuanced questions like “What are the top 5 deals by revenue this quarter?” and it provides live answers without writing any SQL or teaching it what to do.

The CData MCP Server for Salesforce Data Cloud bundles your data connector with the MCP Server and exposes a set of callable tools to Claude. These tools are:

Registered using the included Configuration Tool
Launched by Claude automatically
Defined and described in Java files that Claude interprets directly

Why This Approach?

Traditional prompt-based LLM workflows often run into token limits before the question is even asked. MCP solves this by using structured tool metadata and schemas.

No prompt engineering required
No token waste
No brittle, hand-coded logic
You only need to define the connection, and Claude handles the rest

How It Works

After installing the MCP Server and saving your connection:

The MCP Server registers your connector, loads its capabilities, and exposes the tools to Claude
Claude discovers the connection automatically and interprets the available tools through metadata
When you ask a question, Claude determines the best tool to use and issues the request

Once connected, Claude can answer your questions using live data from Salesforce Data Cloud. It securely sends requests to the MCP Server, processes the results, and responds in natural language without any scripting or query writing required.

Designed for LLMs

MCP is a new way to connect AI to data. It is designed specifically for LLMs, using structured tool definitions instead of traditional query interfaces. Each tool is described with LLMs in mind so Claude doesn't rely on guessing or parsing output. It interprets structured definitions and uses them to generate intelligent, contextual queries behind the scenes.

Why CData?

The CData MCP Server for Salesforce Data Cloud shows what's possible when you combine industry-leading data connectivity with a modern AI interface. As LLMs evolve, CData is helping users move beyond traditional query interfaces into intuitive, intelligent access.

MCP Server for Salesforce Data Cloud