How to Query Live Suadeo Data in Perplexity MacOS Desktop

Perplexity is an AI-powered research and answer engine that allows users to combine web search, structured data, and connected tools through a unified conversational interface. With Perplexity Desktop for macOS, users can bring local tools and data sources directly into their workflow using MCP, enabling fast, context-aware insights powered by live data.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an emerging, open-source standard for connecting LLMs with external services and enterprise data sources. Using MCP Servers, AI clients such as Perplexity Desktop can securely interact with applications and data, performing actions, retrieving live information, and enabling natural language access to data.

CData MCP Server provides schema-aware context to AI tools — whether you're using it for AI-assisted code generation in IDEs like Cursor, or for querying live data through chat interfaces like Perplexity Desktop.

In this article, we guide you through installing CData MCP Server for Suadeo, configuring the connection to Suadeo, and interacting with your live Suadeo data from Perplexity Desktop.

Step 1: Download and install CData MCP Server for Suadeo

1. To begin, download CData MCP Server for Suadeo 👁 Downloading the CData MCP Server installer
   
2. Find and double-click the installer to begin the installation
3. Drag the MCP Server app into the Applications folder 👁 Completing the MCP Server installation
   

When the installation is complete, you are ready to configure MCP Server by connecting to Suadeo.

NOTE: Since you downloaded the application from the internet and not the Apple App Store, you may see a warning that the application was not opened because Apple could not verify its security. You may continue with the installation.

Installing a trusted, unverified App

CData's solutions are trusted across the globe by some of the largest software vendors in the world. That said, if you have any concerns about continuing, please consult with your IT and/or security team.

1. In the warning message that pops up, click "Done"
2. Open "System Settings" on your machine and navigate to the "Privacy & Security" page
👁 Dismissing the notification

3. Scroll down to the "Security" section and click "Open Anyway" 👁 Installing a trusted, unverified App
   
4. Authorize the installation (passkey or password) 👁 Authorizing the installation
   

Step 2: Configure the Connection to Suadeo

1. After installation, you can open CData MCP Server for Suadeo from the Applications folder on your mac 👁 The MCP Server configuration wizard
   
2. Click the dropdown menu in MCP Configuration > Configuration Name and select "new configuration" 👁 Creating a new configuration
   
3. Name the configuration (e.g. "cdata_suadeo") and click "OK" 👁 Naming the configuration
   

4. Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard.

   The driver uses the OAuth 2.0 Resource Owner Password Credentials (ROPC) grant to authenticate to Suadeo. Authentication occurs directly using your credentials; there is no browser-based authorization flow or refresh token.

   Set the following connection properties:

   • URL: The base URL of your Suadeo instance.
   • User: Your Suadeo username.
   • Password: Your Suadeo password.
   • AuthenticationName: The name identifier for the authentication configuration in your Suadeo instance. Different authentication names can be configured for different environments or use cases.

   When you connect, the driver sends your credentials to the Suadeo OAuth token endpoint, receives an access token, and uses it for all subsequent requests. A new access token is obtained automatically when needed during the session.

   👁 Configuring the Server connection.
   
5. Click "Connect" to authenticate with Suadeo.
6. Click "Save Configuration" to save the configuration 👁 Saving the MCP Server configuration
   

With MCP Server configured, you are ready to connect it to Perplexity Desktop.

Step 3: Connect MCP Server to Perplexity Desktop

1. Download the Perplexity Desktop application for macOS and sign in with your Pro or Premium account
2. Open Settings > Connectors. If the Perplexity Helper App is not installed, you will be prompted to download it. Install the Helper App, then restart Perplexity Desktop 👁 Downloading Perplexity Helper App
   
3. After restarting, return to Settings > Connectors and click Add Connector
4. Select the Simple tab and assign a name for the connector (e.g., "CData Suadeo"). In the Command box, enter the absolute path to the MCP Server executable.

   For example:

   	/Applications/CData MCP Server for Suadeo.app/Contents/Payload/jre/Contents/Home/bin/java \
   	-jar /Applications/CData MCP Server for Suadeo.app/Contents/Payload/lib/cdata.mcp.suadeo.jar \
   	cdata_suadeo
   

   👁 Providing the MCP server command
   
5. Click Save. MCP Server should now appear in the connector list with a "Running" status 👁 Connector successfully running
   

Step 4: Query Your Live Suadeo data in Perplexity Desktop

1. Open a new chat in Perplexity Desktop. Click the Sources toggle and enable MCP Server 👁 Selecting MCP Server as a source
   
2. Start asking questions about your Suadeo data. For example:

   "List all the tables available in my Suadeo data connection."

   👁 Querying live data through MCP
   

Build with MCP Server. Deploy with CData Drivers.

Download CData MCP Server for Suadeo for free and give your AI tools schema-aware access to live Suadeo data during development. When you're ready to move to production, CData Suadeo Drivers deliver the same SQL-based access with enterprise-grade performance, security, and reliability.

Visit the CData Community to share insights, ask questions, and explore what's possible with MCP-powered AI workflows.