Propel, creator of the first product value management (PVM) platform to transform how manufacturers develop, launch, and service products, today announced expanded research from its survey of 400 senior manufacturing professionals on how and where they see model context protocol (MCP)-connected AI delivering value across each department.

The research, commissioned by Propel and conducted by Talker Research across high tech/electronics, industrial equipment, and medical device industries, found that conviction around MCP runs from directors to the boardroom.

When asked what MCP is expected to deliver, the top three outcomes cited across respondents were: improved employee productivity (35%); faster decision-making (34%); and faster product development (31%).

Anticipated MCP Benefits by Role

The research also revealed how different roles expect different benefits from the same MCP-connected data thread to improve their workflows.

Product management’s top use cases center on a consolidated view that explicitly includes quality status alongside requirements, bills of materials, open changes, and ownership. The broader research confirms why quality connectivity matters here: when asked to rank the product lifecycle stages where connected AI would have the greatest impact, respondents placed quality management second, behind only product design and engineering. 69% of product management respondents also rated the ability to have an AI agent reach across PLM, CRM, ERP, and market data to surface product, customer, and competitive information in one place as extremely or somewhat valuable.

IT respondents identified a different kind of value: simplifying the infrastructure required to scale AI. 95% rated the ability to securely connect approved AI tools to PLM and QMS, with access controls and audit logging, as extremely or somewhat valuable. 86% said the same about replacing point-to-point integrations with a single, standardized MCP interface, and 84% valued the ability to govern what AI can access and act on from one place. For IT teams being asked to enable use cases across an organization, a standardized integration layer is what makes that scale achievable without multiplying complexity.

Marketing teams identified a use case that addresses a specific and recurring pain point when product specifications change late in a development cycle. 85% ranked AI assistance pulling engineering, quality, and product details together for launch materials as extremely or somewhat valuable.

“This research shows many manufacturers have already identified what they want AI to do,” said Ross Meyercord, CEO of Propel. “Organizations that start from a connected product, quality, and content foundation remove the first and most time-consuming obstacle of making their data usable for AI. Propel and Salesforce take care of the rest with a unified data structure and AI being an integral part of our platform.”

Propel will host a live webinar covering the research and its MCP capabilities on September 24 at 1pm EST. Registration details available at https://go.propelsoftware.com/mcp-webinar-sep-2026/.

About Propel Software

Propel helps product companies grow revenue and increase business value. Our product value management platform connects commercial and product teams to optimize decision making, drive process efficiencies, and engage customers with compelling products and experiences. Propel has a proven track record of improving product quality, speeding time to revenue and profit, and improving customer satisfaction. Recognized as one of America’s fastest growing private companies on the Inc. 5000, Propel is a 5x Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner, and one of Fortune America’s Most Innovative Companies. Built on Salesforce, Propel drives product success for hyper-growth startups, corporate pioneers, and Fortune 500 leaders in the high tech, medtech, and consumer goods industries. For more information, visit propelsoftware.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

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