In this session, Microsoft Developer details the journey from MCP proof-of-concept to production, covering essential Azure services, real-world architectures, and secure deployment strategies for scalable AI solutions.

MCP Dev Days Day 2: From Concept to Code

Presented by: Microsoft Developer

Overview

The second day of MCP Dev Days builds momentum for developers seeking to implement the Model Context Protocol (MCP) in real-world applications. The keynote presents a comprehensive roadmap, transitioning from proof-of-concept stages to the deployment of production-ready MCP servers.

Key Topics Covered

1. Essential Building Blocks for MCP

  • Azure Functions: Leveraged for serverless, scalable compute to handle context updates and communication requirements.
  • API Management: Powers standardized and secure access to MCP endpoints and services, enabling enterprises to integrate MCP servers within existing infrastructure.
  • Security Best Practices: Emphasis on securing communication, managing secrets, and implementing authentication/authorization across the MCP stack.

2. Prompt-Driven Development Workflows

  • Demonstrates how MCP enables prompt-driven workflows for rapid prototyping and evolving agent behavior.
  • Highlights development feedback cycles with real-time code updates using Visual Studio Code.

3. Real-World MCP Architectures

  • Examines how organizations structure MCP implementations for both enterprise-scale and edge computing scenarios.
  • Shares case studies of companies deploying MCP-powered features, detailing architectural choices, scalability considerations, and lessons learned in the field.

4. From Demo Agents to Production-Ready Solutions

  • Strategies for evolving AI agents from experimental demos into robust, dependable solutions using MCP.
  • Tools and techniques for rigorous testing, monitoring, and scaling MCP servers.

5. Learning Resources and Community Engagement

Conclusion

The keynote equips developers with the foundational knowledge, architectural insights, and practical tools needed to deliver secure and scalable MCP solutions. Through real-world examples and a focus on Azure services, it sets a clear path for transitioning MCP agents from concept to code in production environments.