Integrating Gumloop with Epicor Kinetic Data via CData Connect AI

Gumloop is a visual automation platform designed to create AI-powered workflows by combining triggers, AI nodes, APIs, and data connectors. By integrating Gumloop with CData Connect AI through the built-in MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server, workflows can seamlessly access and interact with live Epicor Kinetic data.

The platform provides a low-code environment, making it easier to orchestrate complex processes without heavy development effort. Its flexibility allows integration across multiple business applications, enabling end-to-end automation with live data.

This article outlines the steps required to configure Epicor Kinetic connectivity in Connect AI, register the MCP server in Gumloop, and build a workflow that queries Epicor Kinetic data.

Step 1: Configure Epicor Kinetic Connectivity for Gumloop

Connectivity to Epicor Kinetic from Gumloop is made possible through CData Connect AI's Remote MCP Server. To interact with Epicor Kinetic data from Gumloop, we start by creating and configuring a Epicor Kinetic connection in CData Connect AI.

1. Log into Connect AI, click Sources, and then click Add Connection
👁 Adding a Connection

2. Select "Epicor Kinetic" from the Add Connection panel
👁 Selecting a data source

3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Epicor Kinetic.

   To successfully connect to your ERP instance, you must specify the following connection properties:

   • Url:the URL of the server hosting your ERP instance. For example, https://myserver.EpicorSaaS.com
   • ERPInstance: the name of your ERP instance.
   • User: the username of your account.
   • Password: the password of your account.
   • Service: the service you want to retrieve data from. For example, BaqSvc.

   In addition, you may also set the optional connection properties:

   • ApiKey: An optional key that may be required for connection to some services depending on your account configuration.
   • ApiVersion: Defaults to v1. May be set to v2 to use the newer Epicor API.
   • Company: Required if you set the ApiVersion to v2.
   👁 Configuring a connection (Salesforce is shown)
   
4. Click Save & Test
5. Navigate to the Permissions tab in the Add Epicor Kinetic Connection page and update the User-based permissions. 👁 Updating permissions
   

Add a Personal Access Token

A Personal Access Token (PAT) is used to authenticate the connection to Connect AI from Gumloop. It is best practice to create a separate PAT for each service to maintain granularity of access.

1. Click on the Gear icon () at the top right of the Connect AI app to open the settings page.
2. On the Settings page, go to the Access Tokens section and click Create PAT.
3. Give the PAT a name and click Create. 👁 Creating a new PAT
   
4. The personal access token is only visible at creation, so be sure to copy it and store it securely for future use.

With the Epicor Kinetic connection configured and a PAT generated, Gumloop is prepared to connect to Epicor Kinetic data through the CData MCP server.

Step 2: Connect to the MCP server in Gumloop

The MCP server endpoint and authentication values from Connect AI must be added to Gumloop credentials.

1. Sign in to Gumloop and create an account
2. Visit the Gumloop Credentials page to configure MCP server
3. Click on Add Credentials and search and select MCP Server
👁 Configuring MCP server
👁 MCP server app

4. Provide the following details:
   • URL: https://mcp.cloud.cdata.com/mcp
   • Label: A descriptive name such as Epicor Kinetic-mcp-server
   • Access Token / API Key: leave blank
   • Additional Header: Authorization: Basic YOUR EMAIL:YOUR PAT
   👁 Configuring to CData MCP server
   
   • Save the credentials
   👁 Saved MCP Credentials
   

The MCP server is now available to build workflows in Gumloop.

Step 3: Build a workflow and explore live Epicor Kinetic data with Gumloop

1. Visit Gumloop Personal workspace and click on the Create Flow
👁 Create Gumloop workflow

2. Select the icon or press Ctrl + B to add a node or a subflow
👁 Add a node

3. Search for Ask AI and select it
👁 Select Ask AI

4. Click Show More Options and enable the Connect MCP Server? option
👁 Enable 'Connect MCP Server?'

5. From the MCP Servers dropdown, choose the saved MCP credential
6. Add a Prompt and Choose an AI Model according to your requirements
👁 Add Prompt

7. After configuring the required details, Click Run to run the pipeline
👁 Example 1: Gumloop workflow execution
👁 Example 2: Gumloop workflow execution

With the workflow run completed, Gumloop demonstrates successful retrieval of Epicor Kinetic data through the CData Connect AI MCP server, with the MCP Client node providing the ability to ask questions, retrieve records, and perform actions on the data.

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