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Connecting your [me] data to your AI Platform

Jenny Vaughn
Updated

MarginEdge has an AI connector which can securely bring your trusted restaurant data into AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. With the MarginEdge MCP, you can ask questions about your restaurant performance, explore trends across locations and combine restaurant operational data with other connected business information, all without manually assembling reports.

Quick definitions --

LLM - Large Language Model - AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini

MCP - Model Context Protocol - a path for securely connecting LLMs to other sources of data; also called Connector / App / Plugin

The MCP facilitates the connection for your LLM of choice to access your MarginEdge data.

 

How is this different from the AI bot, Tom the Tomato? 

Tom is a chat assistant who lives inside MarginEdge. He is fast with no setup, but only works inside of MarginEdge.

The MCP connector opens up three things Tom can't do: pulling in other systems, running automatically on a schedule and building a dashboard you come back to. 

Learn more here: AI for Restaurants

A few things to know about the MarginEdge MCP server:

  • Your access is “read-only” - this means that you cannot use the LLM to change things within your MarginEdge account. You can only use it to read the data for analyzing, compiling, synthesizing, etc. One way to think about this is that setting this up gives your LLM a “window” into MarginEdge, not a set of keys.
  • We provide instructions here for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, but to our knowledge, this is available for any LLM that can connect to an MCP server. Reach out if you need support for any additional models.
  • Our MarginEdge MCP address: https://mcp.marginedge.com/mcp

User Permissions

  • The MarginEdge MCP connection requires the credentials of an active [me] user with MarginEdge Admin permissions in order to access the [me] data. 
  • Your access through the MCP server is tied to that user’s permissions - You will only be able to access the units (and the data within those units) that your user has permissions to access. 
  • If you use a company account (such as a Business or Education version), you may need to work with your company administrator in order to add this connection.

AI Security and Privacy

  • Only connect to a server you trust. For MarginEdge, that means ONLY use https://mcp.marginedge.com/mcp. If you receive a different address, verify it with MarginEdge Support before adding it.
  • Access follows the person. Every person signs in to MarginEdge themselves, and the connection uses the permissions already assigned to that user in MarginEdge.
  • Your MarginEdge data can appear in conversations. Treat invoices, vendor pricing, margins, and other financial data with care. Connected apps may receive relevant context from your conversation and, if enabled, relevant memories. Review your organization's policy before sharing sensitive information.
  • The AI platform cannot change your records utilizing this MCP connection. The MarginEdge MCP server exposes "read" operations only; this means it cannot create, modify, delete, approve, or submit anything in your [me] account.

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General Instructions for connecting to the MarginEdge MCP 

We have full step-by-step instructions for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. 

What you'll need

  • Your MarginEdge login - must be an active user account with MarginEdge Admin permissions.
  • An AI platform (LLM) that supports MCP connectors

How to connect 

  1. In your AI platform, find the spot where you add connectors or integrations (often called "Connectors", "Custom connector", or "Integrations").
  2. Add a new connector using this address: https://mcp.marginedge.com/mcp
  3. When prompted, sign in with your MarginEdge account and approve access.
  4. That's it - MarginEdge now appears in your AI app. Ask away.

Choosing a connection method (if you are asked)

Some platforms ask how the connector should register. Claude and VS Code connect automatically so there's no choice to make. For any other app (ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Cursor, etc.), if you're offered a choice, select Dynamic Client Registration (DCR).

Trouble connecting?

  • Can't sign in / access denied: make sure you're using an active MarginEdge account and that you have the MarginEdge Admin role.
  • An error appears right after you sign in: update your AI app to the latest version and try again - or contact support.
  • Any other errors: Double-check the address is exactly https://mcp.marginedge.com/mcp