How AI is transforming integration platforms in 2025

Why AI needs better integration

Traditionally, integrating systems meant building APIs, mapping data fields, and scheduling synchronizations. AI changes the game by demanding real-time, context-aware access to data. A customer might ask an AI assistant, “What are our top-selling SKUs in the last 24 hours?,” and the AI needs to instantly retrieve, process, and interpret that data.

Without seamless integration, these requests lead to slow, inaccurate, or incomplete responses. With AI-powered integration platforms, however, that query can be fulfilled on-demand, securely pulling live data from connected systems.

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Enter the Model Context Protocol (MCP): The "USB-C" for AI

One of the most exciting developments is the Model Context Protocol (MCP), introduced by Anthropic in 2024. Think of MCP as the universal connector for AI, allowing large language models (LLMs) and AI assistants to interact with any application or dataset without building custom integrations.

According to Ray Bogman, Head of Innovation at Alumio, MCP standardizes the way AI models can retrieve and augment data from external applications and data sources. Just like an iPaaS connects ERP and CRM systems, MCP connects AI models to those systems via a consistent, model-agnostic interface.

Learn more about MCP and the future of integrations →

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Practical applications of AI in iPaaS

The marriage of MCP and iPaaS opens up powerful use cases:

• Natural language data queries: Ask, “Which SKUs are part of our summer collection?” and receive real-time product data from your ERP or PIM.
• Agentic workflows: Deploy AI “agents” that automatically monitor inventory, generate sales summaries, and trigger alerts.
• Multi-cloud AI integration: Access datasets across AWS, Azure, and on-prem environments without building separate connectors.
• e-commerce personalization: Deliver tailored product recommendations by dynamically querying live stock, order history, and customer behavior.

With Alumio’s API-first architecture, these integrations work across platforms like Shopify, Magento, Shopware, Spryker, and beyond, without heavy code customization.

Learn more about Alumio's architecture →

AI + iPaaS = Real-time, context-aware intelligence

While frameworks like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) pull in data from a single source, MCP allows AI to access multiple, live sources in parallel. This shifts integration from simple data syncing to intelligent, conversational access.

For example, an AI assistant can:

1. Pull stock levels from your ERP.
2. Fetch campaign performance metrics from your marketing platform.
3. Generate a sales forecast, all in one workflow, without manual API calls.

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Preparing your business for AI-driven integrations

If your systems are already connected through an iPaaS like Alumio, you’re well-positioned to adopt MCP and other AI-driven protocols with minimal friction. Your existing integrations become AI-ready endpoints, enabling prompt-based, real-time interactions without overhauling your IT stack.

Key preparation steps:

• Audit your current integrations for API readiness.
• Identify high-value data sources for AI access.
• Explore security and compliance frameworks for AI data usage.
• Pilot AI workflows that automate high-impact, repetitive tasks.

Learn more about AI-driven integrations and AI orchestration →

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The road ahead: From automation to autonomy

As MCP adoption grows, we’ll see a shift from single-task AI assistants to collaborative agentic workflows; where multiple AI agents handle tasks, make micro-decisions, and optimize processes without constant human oversight. In this AI-native integration era, iPaaS will no longer be just about moving data. It will be about enabling AI to converse with, act upon, and optimize your business systems in real time.

The integration landscape is changing faster than ever. AI is no longer just another tool in the stack; t’s becoming the interface between people, processes, and platforms. By combining an iPaaS with protocols like MCP, businesses can move beyond automation into a world of true intelligent connectivity.