TLDR: Progress Software has announced the early customer testing of its OpenEdge MCP Connector for ABL, a new integration tool that leverages Generative AI (GenAI) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to significantly accelerate development and modernization efforts for its OpenEdge platform users. This purpose-built solution aims to provide domain-specific coding assistance and intelligent automation.
BURLINGTON, Mass. – September 29, 2025 – Progress Software (Nasdaq: PRGS), a leading provider of AI-powered digital experience and infrastructure software, today revealed the initiation of early customer review and testing for its groundbreaking Progress® OpenEdge® MCP Connector for ABL. This innovative integration is specifically engineered to infuse Generative AI (GenAI) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities into the OpenEdge platform, promising to revolutionize development and modernization processes for its extensive customer base.
The OpenEdge MCP Connector for ABL is a purpose-built solution designed to address the unique challenges faced by developers working with the OpenEdge Advanced Business Language (ABL). By combining GenAI with RAG, the connector delivers context-aware developer assistance, offering precise coding guidance, refactoring support, and automated documentation generation that adheres to OpenEdge standards. This integration is set to enhance code quality, streamline the modernization of legacy systems, and unlock new insights from existing applications and data.
John Ainsworth, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Application and Data Platform at Progress Software, highlighted the strategic importance of this new offering. “Generic AI tools often struggle with ABL due to limited training data and a lack of domain context,” Ainsworth stated. “The OpenEdge MCP Connector for ABL is purpose-built for our customers’ workflows, enabling faster development, reduced risk, and smarter modernization strategies. Most importantly, it helps organizations get more value from their OpenEdge investment by making it easier to access, understand, and evolve.”
The connector seamlessly integrates with popular development environments, including Visual Studio Code, Windsurf, Cursor, and various command-line interface (CLI)-based assistants. This broad compatibility ensures that OpenEdge developers can leverage the new AI capabilities within their preferred tools, facilitating automated task handling, improved code quality management, and real-time collaboration.
Early testing with OpenEdge partners and customers has yielded positive feedback. Tony Prettyman, Practice Leader at DMSi, praised the tool’s flexibility, noting its ability to utilize both Progress documentation and markdown files. Mike Fechner, Director of Consultingwerk, affirmed that the connector has already become an integral part of his company’s application modernization strategy. The tool is also designed to help developers identify deprecated code constructs and guide syntax updates for OpenEdge 12 upgrades, further reducing technical debt and accelerating time-to-value for modernization projects.
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While the OpenEdge MCP Connector for ABL remains in testing with partners and customers, Progress Software has not yet announced a general release date. This strategic move underscores Progress Software’s commitment to empowering its global community of over 4 million developers and technologists with cutting-edge AI-powered solutions.
