Progress Software Brings the Power of GenAI and RAG to OpenEdge Customers to Accelerate Development

Rhea-AI Summary

Progress Software (Nasdaq: PRGS) has announced early customer testing of its OpenEdge MCP Connector for ABL, a specialized integration tool that combines Generative AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology. This purpose-built solution aims to accelerate development and modernization for Progress OpenEdge platform users.

The connector integrates with popular development environments like Visual Studio Code and Windsurf, offering domain-specific coding assistance, automated task handling, and improved code quality management. Early testers, including DMSi, Consultingwerk, and Build.One, have reported positive feedback on developer productivity improvements.

Key features include real-time context-aware development support, automated code generation, legacy system modernization assistance, and enhanced documentation capabilities. The tool is specifically designed to address the limitations of generic AI tools when working with OpenEdge Advanced Business Language (ABL).

Positive

• Purpose-built integration specifically designed for OpenEdge platform enhancing development efficiency
• Early customer testing shows positive feedback on developer productivity improvements
• Integration with popular development environments like VS Code and Windsurf
• Enables automated task handling and improved code quality management

Negative

• Product is still in testing phase, not yet generally available
• Generic AI tools currently struggle with ABL due to limited training data

Purpose-built MCP connector combines Generative AI (GenAI) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), delivering domain-specific coding support to maximize value from OpenEdge data and applications 

BURLINGTON, Mass., Sept. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Progress Software (Nasdaq: PRGS), the trusted provider of AI-powered digital experience and infrastructure software, today announced early customer review and testing of the Progress® OpenEdge® MCP Connector for ABL, a purpose-built integration designed to accelerate development and modernization for Progress OpenEdge platform users. The connector empowers organizations to advance their OpenEdge applications and data with intelligent automation, domain-specific coding assistance and guided modernization.

By combining GenAI with RAG, the MCP Connector delivers context-aware developer assistance tailored to the unique structure of OpenEdge Advanced Business Language (ABL). Developers gain precise coding guidance, refactoring support and documentation generation aligned with OpenEdge standards—making it easier to improve code quality, modernize legacy systems and uncover new insights.

“Generic AI tools struggle with ABL due to limited training data and lack of domain context,” said John Ainsworth, EVP and General Manager, Application and Data Platform, Progress Software. “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.”

Purpose-Built for ABL Developers
The MCP Connector integrates seamlessly with popular environments such as Visual Studio Code, Windsurf, Cursor and CLI-based assistants, enabling OpenEdge developers to:

• Work in tandem with MCP servers to access domain-specific data, business logic and legacy code repositories—providing deeper, real-time context and tailored recommendations aligned with organizational architecture and standards
• Automate repetitive tasks like boilerplate code generation, unit testing and legacy refactoring
• Improve code quality and compliance with embedded organizational rules and standards
• Accelerate upgrades to OpenEdge 12 by identifying deprecated constructs and guiding syntax modernization
• Preserve institutional knowledge through context-driven retrieval and onboarding support
• Surface relevant code patterns, business logic and documentation in real time
  
  

OpenEdge partners and customers who participated in early testing of the MCP Connector for ABL have expressed strong enthusiasm about its potential to significantly boost developer productivity.

“We see tremendous potential for enhancing developer productivity by integrating AI with our Progress development environment,” said Tony Prettyman, Practice Leader at DMSi. “The ability to utilize either the Progress documentation MCP server or markdown files directly gives us the flexibility to choose the right approach for each situation. This adaptability is essential for staying agile in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.”

“We are excited to participate in the validation program,” said Mike Fechner, Director of Consultingwerk. “Progress has taken exactly the right approach here. The OpenEdge MCP Connector for ABL has become a key pillar of our application modernization and refactoring strategy. Large parts of the code written on our developer framework in the last four months have been written by Windsurf and Devin.”

“The Progress approach fits perfectly with the Build.One mission of making AI work for Enterprise Business applications,” said Mike Liewehr, CEO of Build.One. “The improvement in developer productivity that we are seeing in early results is impressive and promising.”

Strategic Value for IT and Business Leaders
For organizations modernizing OpenEdge systems, the MCP Connector for ABL provides a future-ready foundation that reduces cost, mitigates risk and enhances developer productivity. It supports real-time collaboration, aligns with business logic and helps teams deliver results faster and with greater confidence.

The connector enables reduction of technical debt through intelligent analysis and refactoring, accelerating time-to-value for modernization and project upgrades. It enables responsible AI adoption with enterprise-grade governance and transparency, ensuring organizations can innovate with confidence. Most importantly, it helps organizations maximize the value of their OpenEdge data, driving smarter automation and improved decision-making across the business.

The Progress OpenEdge MCP Connector for ABL is currently being tested by OpenEdge partners and customers. To be notified about the release, accelerate AI coding development and discover how RAG boosts developer productivity on OpenEdge, click here.

About Progress Software
Progress Software (Nasdaq: PRGS) empowers organizations to achieve transformational success in the face of disruptive change. Our software enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible AI-powered applications and digital experiences with agility and ease. Customers get a trusted provider in Progress, with the products, expertise and vision they need to succeed. Over 4 million developers and technologists at hundreds of thousands of enterprises depend on Progress. Learn more at www.progress.com.

Progress and OpenEdge are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contact:
Kim Baker
Progress Software
+1-800-477-6473
pr@progress.com

FAQ

What is Progress Software's new OpenEdge MCP Connector for ABL?

It's a purpose-built integration tool that combines GenAI and RAG technology to provide domain-specific coding support for Progress OpenEdge platform users, helping accelerate development and modernization.

How does the PRGS OpenEdge MCP Connector improve developer productivity?

The connector provides real-time context-aware development support, automates repetitive tasks, improves code quality, and assists with legacy system modernization through AI-powered recommendations and automation.

Which development environments does the Progress OpenEdge MCP Connector support?

The connector integrates with Visual Studio Code, Windsurf, Cursor, and CLI-based assistants, providing flexibility for developers.

What are the key benefits of Progress Software's MCP Connector for businesses?

Key benefits include reduced technical debt, faster modernization, improved code quality, automated task handling, and better preservation of institutional knowledge through context-driven retrieval.

When will Progress Software's OpenEdge MCP Connector be available?

The connector is currently in testing phase with OpenEdge partners and customers. Interested parties can sign up to be notified about the official release.