OAK BROOK, IL, Nov. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Michaels, Ross & Cole, Ltd. (mrc) today announced a major AI update to its m-Power low-code development platform. This update lets organizations add AI assistants, agents, workflows, and chatbots to the business systems they already run, without user fees or limits.
m-Power Logo
With this release, m-Power customers can build AI-powered workflows and applications directly over their existing systems, while deciding exactly which data the AI can see and how it’s used. m-Power runs in the customer’s environment (on-premises, cloud, or hybrid) and connects to any large language model (LLM), giving customers full control over their models, data, and rollout.
“Our customers don’t want another SaaS silo or per-user AI tax,” said Sal Stangarone, President of mrc. “They want AI that works with the applications and data they already have, under their governance, with the models they choose. That’s exactly what this update delivers.”
AI Building Blocks
The m-Power AI update extends the platform with a set of AI building blocks that plug into existing applications and workflows:
- AI Assistants – Task-specific assistants that can be embedded into m-Power applications and workflows to provide user support, trigger events, or update records (with human-in-the-loop approvals if required).
- AI Agents – AI-driven workers that can monitor events, interpret context, decide on next steps, call business logic, update records, send notifications, and trigger other systems (always under IT-defined rules and approvals).
- AI Workflows – Multi-step, configurable workflows that orchestrate tasks across applications and data sources. Workflows can trigger on events or schedules, call AI assistants or agents, route approvals, and log every action for audit and compliance.
- Content & Knowledge Retrieval – Connect policy documents, FAQs, and internal knowledge sources so AI can answer questions based on company-approved content.
- Tool Functions – Controlled “windows” into operational data (orders, inventory, tickets, etc.) that AI can call with parameters. Only the data exposed through these functions ever reaches the model.
Because these AI capabilities are built into the same low-code platform used for traditional m-Power applications, IT teams can combine AI with existing reports, dashboards, portals, and workflows without introducing a new development stack.
Complete LLM Flexibility
A key design choice in the m-Power AI update is the separation between where m-Power runs and where the LLMs run:
- m-Power runs in your environment – on-premises, in your private cloud, or in a hybrid setup, directly over your existing systems.
- LLMs remain with their providers – m-Power connects to the customer’s chosen LLMs (such as commercial cloud models). Customers can even choose to run their own on-premise/local models. m-Power does not install or embed those models inside your infrastructure.
- You control what data leaves – Only the specific fields and documents you choose to send through Tool Functions or retrieval pipelines are shared with the model. Role-based security, approvals, and audit trails remain in your environment.
This architecture lets organizations adopt and experiment with AI now, while preserving flexibility as the AI landscape evolves.
“We’re not dropping a black-box AI engine into your data center,” added Stangarone. “m-Power stays where it always has, inside your environment and on top of your databases. It simply gives you a controlled bridge to the LLMs you choose, with full visibility into what’s sent, what comes back, and what gets written to your systems.”
Scale AI without per-user or per-agent fees
In contrast to many low-code and AI platforms that charge per user, per app, or per agent, m-Power maintains its long-standing licensing approach:
- Perpetual licensing options – Customers can choose a perpetual license and own their platform instead of renting it indefinitely.
- Unlimited users and applications – Organizations can roll out AI-powered assistants, agents, and applications to as many users and use cases as they need, without per-user or per-agent fees from m-Power.
- One platform, many AI use cases – The same m-Power environment supports traditional web apps, workflows, and AI-powered experiences.
This gives IT teams room to experiment, iterate, and scale AI usage without worrying that every new assistant or agent will drive up subscription costs.
Availability
The m-Power AI update is available now to supported m-Power customers. Existing customers can contact mrc for upgrade details, AI design assistance, and help connecting their preferred LLM providers.
About michaels, ross & cole, ltd. (mrc)
Founded in 1981, mrc (michaels, ross & cole) delivers enterprise application development software and consulting from offices in the US and UK. Our low-code platform, m-Power, lets organizations build secure, data-driven web applications directly over live business data. m-Power is one of the only low-code platforms that offers perpetual licensing, no per-user fees, and on-premise deployment.
Press inquiries
michaels, ross & cole, ltd. (mrc)
https://www.mrc-productivity.com/
Steve Hansen
steveh@mrc-productivity.com
A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.youtube.com/embed/Drsu2XcKNWQ
