FAQ
Answers to the questions we get asked most often. If you don't see yours here, reach out through Get help.
Getting set up
Can we try MCP before committing to a full rollout?
Yes. Once you're approved, you get a working MCP URL you can connect to any supported AI client and test in a sandbox workflow. Most resellers start with Claude Desktop because it's the easiest to get running. The URL stays valid — you can invite team members in gradually.
How long does approval take?
Typically a few business days after you submit the intake form. An Ingram Micro representative will reach out to confirm your goals — this is a quick conversation, not a formal review.
Do we need a developer to set this up?
No. The MCP URL is designed to be pasted into your AI assistant — no code, no OAuth configuration, no Azure app registration. If you're a CSP or MSP without a dedicated developer, you're the target audience.
Can we use multiple AI clients at once?
Yes. The same MCP URL works across every supported client. Many resellers use Claude Desktop for daily work and a Custom GPT for specific workflows, with the same MCP URL in both.
Cost & licensing
Does Ingram Micro charge for MCP access?
MCP access comes with your Xvantage account. The only costs on your side are from the AI client you use (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.). Refer to each platform’s product site for pricing.
Which AI client should we pay for first?
Most resellers start with Claude (Desktop or web). Developer‑heavy teams may prefer Cursor or the OpenAI Platform. See the Compatibility & limits page for honest comparisons.
How do we evaluate the ROI for our business?
ROI depends on your workflows and volume. Your Ingram Micro representative can walk through your situation and help identify where MCP will have the biggest impact.
Security & data
Does our AI assistant see our customer data?
Yes — when you ask it to. The AI calls MCP tools, receives data, and uses that data to answer your question. What happens afterward depends on the AI client’s data policy. Claude and OpenAI Enterprise state they don’t train on your data.
Can we control which tools our users have access to?
Yes. Tool Management in Xvantage lets you enable or disable tools per account. You can scope usage to only the tools your team needs.
What if someone leaves our team?
MCP URLs are tied to your reseller account, not users. Open a support ticket to rotate the URL — old URLs stop working once replaced.
Capabilities & limits
Can the AI actually place orders on our behalf?
Quote creation is supported today, but full order placement still goes through Xvantage for human review. Automated ordering is on the roadmap.
Can we combine hardware and cloud products in one quote?
No. Hardware and cloud quotes use separate tools, reflecting how Xvantage catalogs are structured.
What if the AI gives wrong answers?
Most cases come from prompt issues or the AI not calling the tool. The Prompt library and Troubleshooting pages solve about 90% of issues. If the tool returns wrong data, that’s a bug and should be reported.
Does the AI work in languages other than English?
AI clients support many languages. Xvantage data is usually in English, but you can ask the AI to translate responses if needed.
Do we need to train the AI on our products?
No training is needed. MCP returns live data in real time. Behavior shaping happens in your system prompts or agent settings, not through model training.
Support
What if something breaks?
Open a support ticket. See Get help for full details.
Can you help us write prompts for our team?
Support doesn’t handle prompt coaching directly. The AI itself is often the best coach, and your Ingram Micro representative can also help schedule a workflow review.
