Data connectivity technology developer CData Software today unveiled Connect AI, a new offering that integrates AI applications, agents, and workflows with over 300 data sources, giving AI systems the governed, real-time business data needed for optimal performance.
Built on CData’s flagship Connectivity Platform, Connect AI connects any AI application or framework supporting the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to a wide range of enterprise data sources, including databases and operational applications.
During a briefing with CRN, CData executives referenced a recent “State of AI in Business 2025” report from MIT, which found that 95% of AI pilot projects fail due to brittle workflows, lack of contextual learning, and misalignment with daily operations.
“Much of this stems from providing the right business data to AI systems—whether LLMs, agentic AI, or workflow platforms—and ensuring the data has the proper business context,” said Will Davis, CData Chief Marketing Officer.
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Headquartered in Chapel Hill, N.C., CData offers a unified connectivity platform designed to integrate structured data in real time across enterprise applications and infrastructure. Its solutions support both business analytics and operational applications such as Workday and Salesforce.
The CData Connectivity Platform delivers access to on-premises and cloud data sources through SQL, ODBC, JDBC drivers, and a broad set of connectors. Its connectivity capabilities can also be embedded in other software products, including AI agents and operational applications. Leading software vendors such as Salesforce (Data Cloud) and SAP (Business Data Cloud) incorporate CData’s technology into their offerings.
In May, CData launched a series of MCP Servers to connect large language models (LLMs) to over 300 enterprise data sources via MCP support.
Connect AI is a managed MCP platform providing data connectivity for AI agents, applications, and workflows. The platform accesses data in-place—without moving or replicating it—and merges data across sources to create reusable virtual datasets.
“The depth of connectivity we provide is particularly powerful in the AI context,” Davis noted. “It significantly lowers the barrier to asking questions of your data.”
Putting Things in Context
Connect AI leverages existing security and authentication protocols from source systems, delivering secure, governed data access that addresses the permission and authentication workarounds typically required by MCP. By using a data-in-place approach, the software preserves data semantics and relationships, giving AI systems a complete understanding of the context behind the data.
“AI systems need to understand what data means, not just where it resides,” said Manish Patel, CData Chief Product Officer, in an interview with CRN. “With Connect AI, companies can now provide AI applications with governed, live access to data across hundreds of systems, along with the contextual intelligence that transforms AI from a productivity experiment into a trusted enterprise tool.”
Connect AI goes beyond simple one-way access to data sources. For example, AI agents can act directly on the data, such as creating tasks within operational applications.
CData is collaborating with several regional systems integrators, who incorporate its software into the AI solutions and services they deliver to clients, according to Will Davis. The company is also in early discussions with global system integrators to include CData as part of their AI strategies for building custom AI applications.
The platform also offers Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) the opportunity to embed Connect AI directly within their products, enabling users to perform self-service integration between data sources and an application’s AI or agentic capabilities.
“Connect AI represents a significant milestone in CData’s mission to make every enterprise ‘AI-ready,’ with real-time semantic intelligence,” said CEO Amit Sharma. “By leveraging our deep expertise in enterprise data connectivity—built over years of connecting applications to hundreds of data sources—we are reimagining it for the AI era. This enables breakthrough access and experiences that were previously impossible for users of AI assistants and agentic systems.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CData Connect AI?
CData Connect AI is a platform that integrates AI applications, agents, and workflows with over 300 enterprise data sources, providing governed, real-time access to business data while preserving context and semantics.
How does Connect AI work?
It connects AI applications that support the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to various data sources. Using a data-in-place approach, it accesses data directly in the source system without moving or replicating it, ensuring secure, real-time, and context-rich access.
What types of data sources are supported?
Connect AI supports 300+ structured enterprise data sources, including databases, operational applications (like Salesforce and Workday), and cloud systems.
How does Connect AI ensure data security?
The platform inherits existing security and authentication protocols from the source system, eliminating the need for workaround permissions and providing governed access for AI applications.
Can AI systems take action on the data?
Yes. AI agents and applications can not only access data but also act on it, such as creating tasks in operational systems or triggering workflows.
Conclusion
CData Connect AI marks a significant step forward in making enterprises truly AI-ready. By providing secure, governed, and real-time access to hundreds of data sources—while preserving context and enabling AI to act on the data—the platform transforms AI from a pilot experiment into a trusted, operational tool. With its integration capabilities for AI applications, agents, workflows, and ISVs, Connect AI empowers organizations to unlock the full potential of AI, streamline operations, and derive actionable insights with confidence.