Web services are client and server applications that communicate over the World Wide Web’s (WWW) HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). As described by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), web services provide a standard means of interoperating between software applications running on a variety of platforms and frameworks. Web services are characterized by their great interoperability and extensibility, as well as their machine-processable descriptions, thanks to the use of XML. Web services can be combined in a loosely coupled way to achieve complex operations. Programs providing simple services can interact with each other to deliver sophisticated added-value service

INTENSIONS

IT Department Benefits of Using Web Services:

• Improved efficiency by reducing time to integrate applications
• The ability to develop new applications much faster than before
• Cost savings through consolidation (common protocols can be applied across all scenarios)
• Integrate existing software modules into your own applications, making use of 3rd party expertise
• Evolution - having the flexibility to move with the times rather than being restricted by an applications version release

Business Benefits of Utilising Web Services:

• Reduction in technology costs for new product development
• Available to all sizes of organisation and individuals
• Low cost so all smaller partners and suppliers can now be integrated
• Allow remote access to business systems so offsite staff or customers can also benefit
• Ease of use for consumers as your web services can link applications, services and devices together (act on information any time, any place and from any smart device)