What should we buy first?+
If the question is what Copilot, Cursor, or Claude Code already wrote into the repo, start with an AI Code Audit, then AI Code Oversight if you want a monthly review cadence. Buy MCP Development when agents need governed runtime access to CRM, EHR, ERP, or internal APIs. Most new logos do not start here unless security is already blocking an agent rollout.
Is this a chatbot or AI-agent retainer?+
No. MCP development is production agent infrastructure: servers, auth, least privilege, and audit trails. We do not sell chatbot retainers or wrap ChatGPT around your data. If you need a HealthTech agent on EHR or PHI, that program runs with Maxiom Labs (https://www.maxiomlabs.com/) alongside this engagement.
What is MCP development?+
MCP is an open protocol — originally published by Anthropic — for exposing tools, resources, and prompts to AI applications. MCP development is the design and implementation of those servers so Claude, Cursor, and custom agents can reach internal systems under authentication, authorization, and audit. Maxiom builds custom servers when official or community connectors cannot cover proprietary APIs, PHI, or legacy interfaces.
When do we need custom MCP servers instead of off-the-shelf ones?+
Use off-the-shelf servers when the system is public, the data is not sensitive, and the vendor already ships a maintained connector. Build custom when you have proprietary APIs, BAAs and PHI, federal classification, undocumented legacy interfaces, or security requirements that block generic tool access.
How is MCP development different from AI development?+
AI development covers models, products, and workflows. MCP development is the context layer those agents use: which tools they can invoke, which data they can read, and how every call is authenticated and logged. Many programs need both.
How is this different from an AI code audit?+
An AI code audit reviews code that Copilot, Cursor, or similar tools wrote into your repository. MCP development builds the servers and tool interfaces agents use at runtime. If agents will also generate product code, pair MCP work with an AI Code Audit or ongoing oversight.
Can you build HIPAA-compliant MCP servers for EHR or clinical data?+
Yes, when scoped that way — minimum-necessary tool access, encryption, audit logging, and BAA-aware boundaries. Healthcare MCP work pairs with HIPAA Software Development and Maxiom Labs (https://www.maxiomlabs.com/) for the dedicated HealthTech practice.
Can MCP wrap a legacy system without a rewrite?+
Often yes. A well-designed MCP server can sit in front of mainframe, .NET Framework, on-prem, or undocumented APIs so agents query through a governed interface. Broader platform migration still lives under Legacy Modernization when the runtime itself must change.
Will Maxiom send our data or source through third-party AI tools?+
No. Client systems stay in client environments. We do not process proprietary source or PHI through third-party AI as part of delivery. Tool access is least-privilege and scoped in writing after NDA.
What does an MCP engagement typically deliver?+
Scoped servers (tools, resources, prompts), authentication and authorization, audit logging, tests, operational runbooks, and a handoff so your team can operate and extend the context layer. Threat modeling happens before build, not after the first agent demo. Engagements start with a scoping call covering clients, systems, data classification, and the security review that is blocking rollout.