Integration has moved beyond system connectivity. In todays distributed digital first environments the focus has shifted from building statics connections to intelligent context aware interactions. The next phase of integration is to build the integration with intent using Model Context Protocol (MCP) design pattern. In this article, I will explain how integration evolved over the period from traditional middleware to cloud native approach to a design centric approach that aligns integration with meaning and intent. We will examine the architecture of MCP and how it’s going to play a pivotal role in driving next-generation integration strategies. 

Integration in Middleware Era: Reliable, but Rigid

Early integration strategies relied on centralized middleware and formal contracts like SOAP and XML. Systems were prioritized for consistency and reliability. The rigid contract definition and static service definition made them slow to adapt and very expensive to evolve. Development were often done in tools which required deep expertise and managing this has become huge overhead for organizations.