Mission Statement: To define a shared vocabulary for AI Agents and MCP servers operating across MSP and IT Pro platforms to ensure interoperability, transparency, and reliability.
AI Agents communicate using natural language, just like we do. But in a technical environment, that introduces challenges. One user might type “device,” another might say “asset,” “endpoint,” or “laptop.” These can all mean the same thing… or not. And as these AI Agents pass instructions from one system to another, across different companies and platforms, the risk of misinterpretation increases.
To ensure these AI Agents execute the right actions, every time, we need to align on a shared language. That’s why we’re creating a structured dictionary and relationship model (lightweight ontology) tailored specifically to the MSP and IT Pro world.
This lightweight but powerful framework lets us:
Standardize how we refer to infrastructure, services, and tools across our ecosystem
Help AI Agents understand the relationships between devices, policies, tenants, and actions
Improve accuracy when automating complex tasks across environments
Prepare our platform and our partners for a future of autonomous service delivery
By leading the creation of this MSP and IT Pro specific terminology standard, we’re ensuring that our AI Agents, and the tools they interact with, speak the same language. It’s a foundational step toward smarter, more secure, and more efficient IT operations.
Standards Versions
Standards are available here as plaintext and on GitHub as JSON. We revise and post a new copy for review and approval during CAT-MIP Board Meetings.
Welcome to the Dictionary of Definitions (the “Dictionary”) developed and maintained by the CAT-MIP and N-able AI External Standards Committee (the “Committee”). These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Dictionary, including all content, definitions, and related services provided through this community. By accessing, using, or contributing to the Dictionary, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
Purpose This Agreement governs the use of the Dictionary, which is intended to be a collaborative resource that provides clear, consistent definitions for terms related to AI community standards, ethics, and governance. It aims to support transparency, accountability, and shared understanding across organizations and communities with regard to the use of AI.
Open Access and Use The Dictionary is provided under an open-source model as follows:
Permitted Use: You may access, use, and share the definitions for educational, research, policy-making, or organizational purposes, provided proper attribution is given.
Attribution: When using or referencing content from the Library, you must credit the source as follows: “Source: Community Standards Library of Definitions, CAT-MIP.org .”
Prohibited Use: You may not use the content for commercial purposes without prior written permission of N-able. You may not alter definitions in a way that misrepresents their original intent or context.
Users may contribute new definitions or suggest edits to existing ones. By submitting content, you grant the Library a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and distribute your contributions.
All submissions are subject to review by the Committee to ensure accuracy, neutrality, and alignment with the Library’s mission.
No Warranty The Dictionary is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranty of any kind. N-able and the Committee expressly disclaim all warranties, whether express, implied, statutory, or otherwise, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, or non-infringement.
Limitation of Liability In no event shall N-able, the Committee, or any of its contributors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) arising in any way out of the use or inability to use the Dictionary, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
No Endorsement or Obligation Use of the Dictionary does not imply endorsement by N-able or the Committee. The Committee is under no obligation to update, maintain, or support the Dictionary or to respond to feedback or requests.
Intellectual Property All content in the Library, unless otherwise noted, is the intellectual property of the Library or its contributors and is protected by applicable copyright and intellectual property laws. All contributions to the Dictionary are subject to open use and redistribution. Contributors agree that their submissions may be freely used, modified, and distributed by others under these terms.
Governing Law This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Massachusetts without regard to its conflict of law principles.
8. Modifications to Terms
We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Library after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.
9. Contact
For questions, feedback, or permissions, please contact us at:
