Tool connectivity is becoming infrastructure
MCP and similar standards make it easier for models to discover and call tools. That convenience increases the importance of identity, consent, rate limits, audit and versioning.
A safe architecture
Put a gateway between the model and business systems. Expose narrow tools, bind them to user identity, validate every parameter, and separate read from write actions. Require approval for side effects.
Build for change
Tools evolve, permissions change and providers fail. Use versioned schemas, clear error messages, observability and a fallback path. Standardization helps connection, but governance makes connection usable.