MCP Server and Integration Development that gives compatible AI clients reusable access.
We build MCP servers for platform teams connecting AI clients to business systems. Our MCP development services publish agreed data as resources and permitted actions as tools through one interface, tested with the clients in scope.
- 120+Projects delivered across 12 countries since 2012
- 100+Senior in-house engineers, six countries
- 5.0Unified rating across 61 client reviews on Clutch
- ISO 27001Certified security practice, audited by Quay Audit UK
- AWS CertifiedSolutions Architects on the team
01Overview
Scope the server and its access model
MCP (Model Context Protocol) connects AI applications to server capabilities through a client-server interface. We scope the server around your systems, permitted actions and the clients that will use it.
- The access model is agreed firstWe define client authentication, authorization, per-tool scopes and the deny path, how an unauthorized request is rejected. Those decisions form the written access model.
- Tool names are an interface decisionWe write tool names, descriptions and schemas for the actions in scope, then test how the agreed clients present and invoke them.
- The data layer, when there is not oneWe assess the data path, APIs and adapters needed for the selected resources and tools. Data preparation becomes an explicit part of the scope.
- When another AI service fits betterChoose AI agents for action planning, AI integration for model features in a product, or custom models for model development. Explore our AI services to match the work you need.
02Proof
Business-system and AI engineering experience
We bring experience connecting business systems and operating AI products to the server's integration and access decisions.
- Business-system integration experienceJewelCandle's programme included an AWS-based PIM, Microsoft Dynamics and sales-channel middleware. Our hotel-platform work integrated Opera Cloud, updated Shift4 and IBS Software connections and added booking middleware. Our WaiverKing integration work included MindBody API connectivity. For a cloud consultancy, we supported SharePoint translation automation and authentication between systems using Microsoft 365 frameworks.Since 2012120+ company projects across 12 countries
- Owned AI products and internal agent experienceWe operate Snaplore for knowledge management and Talkmetry for HubSpot call intelligence. Both are owned, revenue-generating AI products. Our internal timesheet agent ran as a browser-based proof of concept using AWS Bedrock and LangChain. Client agent builds follow the client's requirements; these product and trial examples show separate AI engineering experience.2revenue-generating AI products of our own in production, with the agent work built to each client's own specification
- Access designed for the chosen transportProtected HTTP deployments and local STDIO have different authorization and credential requirements. We define the transport, permitted tools, input boundaries and recording requirements for the build. Those choices inform the access tests and deployment design. Our security guide explains the risks this interface introduces.ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015, renewed through a multi-stage audit with Quay Audit UK
03Compare
MCP versus a one-off API integration
Choose the interface that fits your clients and system access. An existing platform server, a direct API tool or an internal implementation may meet the need; custom MCP development defines exposure where those options need extending.
| An MCP serverunicrew | Point-to-point API integrationIntegrate | Browser or RPA automationAutomate |
|---|---|---|
| Best forA defined MCP interface for compatible clients that need agreed business resources and tools. | Best forA documented API and an application or shared adapter that can provide the required tool access directly. | Best forAn approved workflow where a user interface is the practical access path and its changes can be maintained. |
| What it asks of youAgreed clients, adapters and access rules, with version, capability, credential and configuration tests. | What it asks of youAPI credentials, access controls, tool definitions and maintenance of the application or shared adapter. | What it asks of youAn appropriately scoped account, workflow tests and maintenance as screens or operating requirements change. |
| You end up owningThe commissioned server, definitions and access documentation, with agreed handover and third-party dependencies. | You end up owningThe agreed API integration and tool interface, reusable where the consuming applications support it. | You end up owningThe agreed automation and operating instructions for the workflow it was built to perform. |
Quick self-check
Tick what is true for you. The read-out updates as you go.
0 of 4 true
Start with a direct integration
A direct connection may fit an AI agent build. Include the data access layer where the task needs better interfaces or data preparation. Compare those options with the MCP exposure your clients require.
Talk it throughDefine the clients and tools
Identify the applications that will connect and the data or actions they need. That gives the interface decision a concrete scope, whether it uses a direct API or MCP.
Talk it throughWorth mapping before you build
Map the existing adapters and the resources or actions worth exposing. Check whether an available platform server fits before defining custom MCP work.
Book a discovery callA server is the right shape
Scope the server's read and write capabilities with the system owners. Both need access review; actions that change records also need explicit authorization and acceptance cases.
Book a discovery callA server, and the access model before the code
For shared exposure, agree the clients, permissions and tool definitions before implementing the server. Use compatibility and access tests to validate the interface for those clients.
Talk about the work04Capabilities
MCP servers and integrations we build
We implement the server interface, system adapters and access requirements needed by the clients in scope.
- Custom MCP server development
Custom MCP servers over your internal systems
Resources and toolsWe expose agreed internal APIs, CRM data and domain actions through MCP resources and tools, with prompt templates where useful. The server connects to the backend adapters and permissions needed for those capabilities.
- Third-party platform MCP integration
MCP integration of third-party platforms
ERP, PMS, booking, paymentsWe wrap the selected platform APIs and adapter logic in an MCP interface. PMS and booking data and storefront-to-ERP flows need system-specific credentials, mappings and tool definitions.
- API to MCP migration
Migration of existing API integrations to MCP
API-to-MCP migrationWe reuse suitable API adapters and add the MCP tools and resources the agreed clients need. Migration includes version and capability checks, authentication and client configuration, plus the adapter changes required by the interface.
- MCP security and access design
Security and access design for MCP deployments
Auth, scopes, what gets recordedWe define the transport, authentication, authorization, tool scopes and input boundaries. The access model specifies what should be recorded and how denied requests are handled, giving the build concrete security requirements to test.
- Data access layer engineering
The data layer underneath the server
Pipelines, indexes, embeddingsWe prepare pipelines, indexes and retrieval data for the resources or tools in scope. Tagging and embeddings are relevant where the tool needs to search a content collection.
- Agent tool-use evaluation
Evaluation and monitoring of agent tool use
Watched after launchWe define acceptance cases for tool selection, invocation and access boundaries with the agreed clients. Independent server and authorization testing and standing tool-use monitoring can be commissioned as a distinct evaluation scope.
05Trust
The server, access model and operating handover
The agreed handover covers the server, capability definitions, access decisions and operating instructions. Repository access, ownership and licence rights are settled alongside the third-party dependencies the server needs.
- Exposed onceReusable exposure for agreed compatible clientsVersion, capability, authentication and configuration tests define compatibility; underlying adapters still need maintenance
- In writingAn access model settled before any server codeAuthentication, per-tool scopes, what gets recorded, and the deny path
- YoursThe server, its tool definitions, and the decisions behind themHanded to a named owner, written down rather than explained in a call
06Stack
What we build MCP servers with
We choose a server runtime such as Python or TypeScript for the adapters and deployment in scope. AI-client runtimes, data stores and cloud services remain separate architecture choices.
TypeScript
Python
Node.js
.NET
AWS Bedrock
LangChain
OpenAI / ChatGPT
PostgreSQL
Azure
Docker07Engagement
A defined build or continuing platform work
Choose the engagement around how well the server scope is known and the platform work you want to commission over time.
A scoped server build
Defined buildWe map a defined set of systems and clients, then build and test the agreed capabilities. Discovery establishes the adapters, access requirements and acceptance cases needed for the quote.
- Best when
- The systems are known and you want a defined deliverable
- You pay
- Outcome based, quoted per project
- Typical start
- Two to four weeks
Time and materials
Scope movingUse time and materials when the systems, actions or client requirements need investigation during delivery. We agree priorities with your platform owner as the scope develops.
- Best when
- You are still learning which actions deserve to be tools
- You pay
- Billed hourly, quoted per project
- Typical start
- Two to four weeks
Team extension
Long-runExtend your platform team for successive servers, adapter changes and client-compatibility work. Agree who owns tool definitions, access decisions and maintenance as the platform develops.
- Best when
- Servers keep being added and someone has to own them
- You pay
- Billed monthly, per team member
- Typical start
- Two to four weeks
A read of what exists first, then keep, harden or rebuild
We assess an existing server or API integration against its exposed capabilities, access model and intended clients. The written recommendation identifies what to keep, harden or rebuild before you commission changes. There is no minimum engagement period.
08Industries
Business workflows behind the interface
We map the business meaning of the data and actions before exposing them through MCP. System owners define the permissions and operating constraints of each workflow.
Logistics and transportation
We scope order, warehouse and fleet interfaces, including freight quotes and carrier APIs. Quote retrieval and actions that commit a shipment need distinct tool definitions and access rules.
Hospitality and leisure
We map PMS, payment and booking interfaces into selected resources and tools. Hotel middleware and our web GUI for a previously API-only application provide different system-access examples, separate from a commissioned MCP build.
E-commerce
We define MCP exposure for storefront, stock and order workflows. The storefront-to-ERP flow needs the existing mappings and adapter logic alongside the tools an AI client will call.
Fintech and accounting
We scope accounting resources and actions around permitted financial records. Bookkeeping and invoice workflows need defined read access, update authority and review requirements.
Healthcare
For home-health systems, we identify the data and operating actions suitable for exposure. Domain and security owners approve the access boundaries and applicable review requirements.
EdTech and learning
Our edtech search work combined relevance, filtering and autosuggest with AI tagging and embeddings. The controlled experiment measured roughly 9% higher search success across that feature work. MCP exposure would be a separate interface scope over the relevant content and search capabilities.
Name the systems your agents need to reach
Bring the systems, intended clients and actions you want to expose. We will compare available interfaces and discuss the adapters, access decisions and tests needed to scope the server.
What happens after you contact us
- We reply within one business dayA response to your enquiry so we can establish the systems and next step.
- A call about which systems and which actionsWhat your agents have to reach, what those systems already expose, and which actions in them should be tools at all.
- A written list of what to expose, and what not toThe resources and actions worth exposing, each with a reason to exist, and the ones we recommend leaving out.
- Contracts and NDAs, then a start dateWe agree scope, access and the start date. Most engagements start within two to four weeks.
09Delivery
How does MCP server development work?
System and client dependencies shape the MCP delivery plan.
- Map the systems and actions worth exposingWe identify the resources, tool actions and prompt templates useful to the intended clients. Your system owners provide the use cases, documentation and operating constraints.You getA written list of the resources and actions worth exposing, each with a reason to exist, and the ones we recommend leaving out.
- Design the server and the access modelWe specify definitions, transport, authentication, authorization and the deny path. Your security and system owners approve the permitted data and actions, including the records needed for operation.You getTool and resource definitions, an authentication and scope model, and the deny path, in writing before any code.
- Build, then tune what the agent readsWe implement the server and adapters, then test protocol versions, capabilities, client configuration and access behavior. Your technical contact provides sandbox access and the agreed clients; tool names, descriptions and schemas are tested against representative use cases. We turn your server-performance expectations into agreed acceptance criteria for the commissioned build.You getA working server tested against MCP clients, with tool descriptions tuned and the failure cases written down.
- Harden and runWe implement the approved deployment and access controls, including an API gateway where the architecture calls for one. Your platform owner decides the hosting environment and takes the agreed documentation, configuration and maintenance responsibilities. The build ends at agreed acceptance and handover. Ongoing operation by unicrew has a separate scope and budget.You getA running server with a named owner, enforcing the access model you agreed.
10Client voices
Client views on system integration
Artelogic anticipates our needs and meets them before we even identify them. My team lead wants to keep both of Artelogic’s developers on the project until the product’s release. We have a backlog of 40 big projects, so I only see Artelogic’s involvement increasing.
We’re very pleased with Artelogic, and they’re very much a part of our company. They’ve been a part of our success for the last four years. If Artelogic’s team doesn’t know how to do something, they’ll find out, and come back with a functional solution within a couple of days.
Shippable and well received web GUI for previously API only application. The whole team is highly dedicated to the success of the project and delivers the planned artefacts on time. We are very happy to have chosen Artelogic.
The module was integrated in our systems and almost doesn’t requires any maintenance till now. Project was managed in Jira in very effective way. The most impressive part of this company is people. It was a great pleasure to communicate with every person in this company.
Communication is always a concern for me when working with overseas companies, but Artelogic was exceptional. I would say that Artelogic seems to be focused on making sure they have great customer service. They put me at ease. Artelogic delivered their product on time and in good condition.
11Case studies
Platform integration, owned AI and an internal trial
unicrew was formerly Artelogic, so the older reviews use that name. Our experience includes client-platform integration, an internal agent proof of concept and an owned AI product, each with its own delivery scope.
See all case studies
SaaSWaiverKing: Software Development for a Waiver Form CreatorWaiverKing is a document management business serving primarily the health and fitness industries. The platform integrates with Mindbody Online, one of the largest business-systems providers for gyms and yoga studios.Weeks to hoursTime to release an update to production
Built by unicrewAI-Powered Automation for Project ManagementAn AI bot that enhances operational efficiency by automating a time-consuming internal administrative task.30%Improvement in timely work-time logging compliance
Built by unicrewAI-powered knowledge managementSnaplore is unicrew's own product, built and operated in-house. It uses AI to transform how organizations document, structure, and share information, making meetings, training, and project discussions instantly accessible and actionable.Up to 60%Less time on documentation
12Questions
Questions about running an MCP server
Understand the cost and ongoing responsibility of an MCP server before committing to the build.
MCP (Model Context Protocol) defines how AI applications connect to capabilities exposed by servers.
Its roles are:
- The host: the AI application managing the interaction.
- The client: the component connecting that host to an MCP server.
- The server: the service exposing supported tools, resources and prompts.
Reuse depends on protocol versions, advertised capabilities, transport and credentials. The agreed clients need configuration and compatibility tests. Backend integration and authorization remain implementation work; the protocol does not automatically give a client access to your systems.
An MCP server is a service exposing agreed capabilities through the MCP interface. Depending on its scope, it can provide:
- Tools: callable functions, such as querying an order or creating a ticket.
- Resources: data a client can retrieve, such as records or documents.
- Prompts: reusable templates a client can offer for a task.
The server connects those capabilities to backend APIs or adapters. Authentication, authorization and supported client capabilities need implementing and testing for the deployment.
MCP can provide a reusable protocol interface for agreed compatible clients, with common resource and tool definitions over the backend integration.
A direct API tool or shared adapter can also support several applications. An existing platform server may already meet the need. Custom MCP development fits when you want to define that exposure and its access model yourself. Client configuration, version and capability tests, credentials and adapter maintenance remain part of the work.
We quote MCP development against the systems, capabilities and clients in scope. The main drivers are:
- API adapters, data preparation and the number of systems connected.
- Client compatibility and configuration work.
- Authentication, authorization, action testing and operating requirements.
Discovery produces the estimate. Billing follows the engagement model:
- Fixed price: outcome based, quoted per project.
- Time and materials: billed hourly, quoted per project.
- Team extension: billed monthly per team member.
Hosting, adapter maintenance and future client changes need an operating budget as well.
We estimate the delivery schedule after assessing the backend interfaces, client requirements and access model. API documentation, sandbox availability, data preparation and the depth of compatibility and action testing affect the plan.
The protocol itself does not set a build duration. Most engagements start within two to four weeks; we agree the actual start date and project milestones for your scope. That start window is separate from the time needed to deliver the server.
We can build an MCP layer over existing systems when the required data and actions are accessible through approved interfaces. Discovery assesses that feasibility and the adapters needed.
Storefront-to-ERP flows and hotel-platform middleware are examples of integration work an MCP interface can build on. A legacy system may need a data-access adapter or an approved alternative path first. The server then needs testing against the intended clients and the system's permissions.
Security comes from implementing and testing the access model for the chosen transport, clients and backend systems.
- When HTTP authorization is selected, we design the MCP OAuth flow; local STDIO has a different credential path.
- Tool scopes, input boundaries and denied requests need tests against the intended clients.
- Deployment controls and required records follow the architecture and operating requirements.
MCP does not automatically grant business permissions. Tool-poisoning and prompt-injection risks require review and testing alongside ordinary API risks; no single control makes those risks disappear.
MCP fits when your intended clients support it and you want a defined resource and tool interface over the business systems they need.
Compare an available platform server with direct API tools and a custom server. Your internal platform team can implement the approach it can operate and maintain. An AI agent build owns action selection; the server exposes the agreed capabilities. Include a data access layer where the workflow needs better interfaces or data preparation.
Bring the intended clients, systems and use cases, with the technical and security owners who can approve access.
Useful inputs are:
- The resources and actions the clients need.
- API documentation and existing adapter details.
- Approved sandbox access and client configurations for testing.
- The permissions and operating requirements the server must follow.
Discovery clarifies the remaining questions and produces a scoped proposal, including the interfaces, access decisions and acceptance work required.