NetSuite HCM MCP server
NetSuite HCM (SuitePeople) provides comprehensive HR capabilities including employee management, payroll processing, benefits administration, talent management, and workforce analytics. An AI agent using this MCP server can manage employee records, process time and leave requests, run payroll, track performance, and generate workforce reports—automating repetitive HR tasks and enabling HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives. Use this integration when you need to streamline employee onboarding, approve timesheets, process leave requests, or provide workforce insights on demand.
Setting up an MCP server
This article covers the standard steps for creating an MCP server in AI Gateway and connecting it to an AI client. The steps are the same for every integration — application-specific details (API credentials, OAuth endpoints, and scopes) are covered in the individual application pages.
Before you begin
You'll need:
- Access to AI Gateway with permission to create MCP servers
- API credentials for the application you're connecting (see the relevant application page for what to collect)
Create an MCP server
Find the API in the catalog
- Sign in to AI Gateway and select MCP Servers from the left navigation.
- Select New MCP Server.
- Search for the application you want to connect, then select it from the catalog.
Configure the server
- Enter a Name for your server — something descriptive that identifies both the application and its purpose (for example, "Zendesk Support — Prod").
- Enter a Description so your team knows what the server is for.
- Set the Timeout value. 30 seconds works for most APIs; increase to 60 seconds for APIs that return large payloads.
- Toggle Production mode on if this server will be used in a live workflow.
- Select Next.
Configure authentication
Enter the authentication details for the application. This varies by service — see the Authentication section of the relevant application page for the specific credentials, OAuth URLs, and scopes to use.
Configure security
- Set any Rate limits appropriate for your use case and the API's own limits.
- Enable Logging if you want AI Gateway to record requests and responses for auditing.
- Select Next.
Deploy
Review the summary, then select Deploy. AI Gateway provisions the server and provides a server URL you'll use when configuring your AI client.
Connect to an AI client
Once your server is deployed, you'll need to add it to the AI client your team uses. Select your client for setup instructions:
Tips
- You can create multiple MCP servers for the same application — for example, a read-only server for reporting agents and a read-write server for automation workflows.
- If you're unsure which OAuth scopes to request, start with the minimum read-only set and add write scopes only when needed. Most application pages include scope recommendations.
- You can edit a server's name, description, timeout, and security settings after deployment without redeploying.
Authentication
NetSuite HCM uses OAuth 2.0 authentication with account-specific endpoints. Create an integration record in NetSuite under Setup > Integration > Manage Integrations, enable OAuth 2.0, and configure employee access. Collect your Client ID and Client Secret. The OAuth token URL is https://{accountId}.suitetalk.api.netsuite.com/services/rest/auth/oauth2/v1/token and the authorization URL is https://{accountId}.app.netsuite.com/app/login/oauth2/authorize.nl, where {accountId} is your NetSuite account ID. Required scopes typically include employee management, payroll processing, time tracking, and benefits administration.
Available tools
The MCP server enables AI agents to manage employee data and HR workflows across the entire employee lifecycle. Tools are organized by HR function.
Employee Management
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Create employee record | Add a new employee to NetSuite with contact and employment details |
| Update employee information | Modify employee data (address, phone, title, etc.) |
| Get employee details | Retrieve full employee record including employment history |
| Terminate employee | Process employee offboarding and final payroll |
| Get employee list | Retrieve employees filtered by department or status |
Payroll and Compensation
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Process payroll | Run payroll for a specific period |
| Get pay stub | Retrieve earnings, deductions, and net pay for an employee |
| Update compensation | Modify salary, bonus, or commission rates |
| Calculate payroll taxes | Compute tax withholdings and liabilities |
| Get payroll history | Retrieve historical payroll records |
Time and Leave
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Create time entry | Log hours worked for an employee |
| Approve timesheet | Review and approve employee time submissions |
| Get leave balance | Retrieve PTO, sick leave, and other leave balances |
| Request leave | Submit or approve a time-off request |
| Get attendance record | View employee attendance and absence history |
Performance and Development
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Create performance review | Start a new performance review cycle |
| Log feedback | Record feedback or comments on an employee |
| Get goals | Retrieve performance goals or development objectives |
| Track training | Record training completion and certification |
Benefits Administration
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Get benefit enrollment | Retrieve employee benefit elections |
| Update benefits | Modify employee benefit selections |
| Process life event | Record a qualifying life event for benefits |
| Get benefits summary | Retrieve benefit coverage details |
Tips
Use the employee record as the single source of truth — sync org chart changes, compensation updates, and job changes through the agent to keep all downstream systems in sync.
Automate timesheet approval by setting business rules (e.g., approve timesheets under 40 hours automatically, flag overtime for manager review). The agent can execute these rules consistently.
Pre-populate onboarding tasks for new hires in NetSuite, then have the agent track completion and send reminders. This ensures nobody is left out and reduces HR manual tracking.
Pull leave balance queries regularly through the agent to monitor usage patterns and alert managers to employees approaching their annual limit, reducing surprise requests.
Generate workforce reports (headcount, diversity, turnover, cost per employee) on a schedule through the agent. Regular snapshots help the team spot trends early.
Cequence AI Gateway