Brokers ask whether they should invest in MCP or RAG. The answer is both. MCP servers guarantee inputs, outputs, scopes, and budgets. RAG systems fetch unstructured knowledge to make answers conversational. Atlas stitches them together so every narrative cites a provable artifact.
When MCP wins
Use MCP whenever the action has a contract: generate a PDF, fetch MLS data, log a consent approval. You know the inputs, outputs, and rate caps ahead of time, so finance can forecast usage.
Atlas MCP tools also return artifact URIs and provenance signatures. Those attach to the workspace record automatically.
- Structured outputs with schema validation.
- Chain-of-custody tags for every artifact.
- Budgets and alerts across tools and vendors.
When RAG adds value
RAG shines when you need to blend multiple artifacts or explain decisions. After an MCP tool produces a comps PDF, a RAG agent can summarize it, answer “what changed since last week,” or draft an email.
Atlas stores artifact URIs in the usage event. RAG pipelines read those URIs so they only cite approved data.
Implementation blueprint
Start with the Server Builder to get MCP online, then mirror its artifacts into your vector store. Use the Knowledge Base schema to keep fields consistent across warehouses.