Integrating Gumloop with SAP Ariba Procurement Data via CData Connect AI

Gumloop is a visual automation platform designed to create AI-powered workflows by combining triggers, AI nodes, APIs, and data connectors. By integrating Gumloop with CData Connect AI through the built-in MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server, workflows can seamlessly access and interact with live SAP Ariba Procurement data.

The platform provides a low-code environment, making it easier to orchestrate complex processes without heavy development effort. Its flexibility allows integration across multiple business applications, enabling end-to-end automation with live data.

This article outlines the steps required to configure SAP Ariba Procurement connectivity in Connect AI, register the MCP server in Gumloop, and build a workflow that queries SAP Ariba Procurement data.

Step 1: Configure SAP Ariba Procurement Connectivity for Gumloop

Connectivity to SAP Ariba Procurement from Gumloop is made possible through CData Connect AI's Remote MCP Server. To interact with SAP Ariba Procurement data from Gumloop, we start by creating and configuring a SAP Ariba Procurement connection in CData Connect AI.

1. Log into Connect AI, click Sources, and then click Add Connection

2. Select "SAP Ariba Procurement" from the Add Connection panel

3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to SAP Ariba Procurement.

   In order to connect with SAP Ariba Procurement, set the following:

   • ANID: Your Ariba Network ID.
   • ANID: Specify which API you would like the provider to retrieve SAP Ariba data from. Select the Buyer or Supplier API based on your business role (possible values are PurchaseOrdersBuyerAPIV1 or PurchaseOrdersSupplierAPIV1).
   • Environment: Indicate whether you are connecting to a test or production environment (possible values are TEST or PRODUCTION).

   Authenticating with OAuth

   After setting connection properties, you need to configure OAuth connectivity to authenticate.

   • Set AuthScheme to OAuthClient.
   • Register an application with the service to obtain the APIKey, OAuthClientId and OAuthClientSecret.

     For more information on creating an OAuth application, refer to the Help documentation.

   Automatic OAuth

   After setting the following, you are ready to connect:

   APIKey: The Application key in your app settings. OAuthClientId: The OAuth Client Id in your app settings. OAuthClientSecret: The OAuth Secret in your app settings.

   When you connect, the provider automatically completes the OAuth process:

   1. The provider obtains an access token from SAP Ariba and uses it to request data.
   2. The provider refreshes the access token automatically when it expires.
   3. The OAuth values are saved in memory relative to the location specified in OAuthSettingsLocation.
   
4. Click Save & Test
5. Navigate to the Permissions tab in the Add SAP Ariba Procurement Connection page and update the User-based permissions.

Add a Personal Access Token

A Personal Access Token (PAT) is used to authenticate the connection to Connect AI from Gumloop. It is best practice to create a separate PAT for each service to maintain granularity of access.

1. Click on the Gear icon () at the top right of the Connect AI app to open the settings page.
2. On the Settings page, go to the Access Tokens section and click Create PAT.
3. Give the PAT a name and click Create.
4. The personal access token is only visible at creation, so be sure to copy it and store it securely for future use.

With the SAP Ariba Procurement connection configured and a PAT generated, Gumloop is prepared to connect to SAP Ariba Procurement data through the CData MCP server.

Step 2: Connect to the MCP server in Gumloop

The MCP server endpoint and authentication values from Connect AI must be added to Gumloop credentials.

1. Sign in to Gumloop and create an account
2. Visit the Gumloop Credentials page to configure MCP server
3. Click on Add Credentials and search and select MCP Server

4. Provide the following details:
   • URL: https://mcp.cloud.cdata.com/mcp
   • Label: A descriptive name such as SAP Ariba Procurement-mcp-server
   • Access Token / API Key: leave blank
   • Additional Header: Authorization: Basic YOUR EMAIL:YOUR PAT
   
   • Save the credentials
   

The MCP server is now available to build workflows in Gumloop.

Step 3: Build a workflow and explore live SAP Ariba Procurement data with Gumloop

1. Visit Gumloop Personal workspace and click on the Create Flow

2. Select the icon or press Ctrl + B to add a node or a subflow

3. Search for Ask AI and select it

4. Click Show More Options and enable the Connect MCP Server? option

5. From the MCP Servers dropdown, choose the saved MCP credential
6. Add a Prompt and Choose an AI Model according to your requirements

7. After configuring the required details, Click Run to run the pipeline

With the workflow run completed, Gumloop demonstrates successful retrieval of SAP Ariba Procurement data through the CData Connect AI MCP server, with the MCP Client node providing the ability to ask questions, retrieve records, and perform actions on the data.

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