Web services are a fast expanding area of software that provides an alternative to traditional methods of integration. Web services offer many benefits including lower prices more productivity, lower costs, and superior customer service. The business of web services is not without its own set of challenges. Businesses should be aware of these before investing in new technology.
Web services are a method of communication that enables two distinct software systems to share data over the Internet. The software system that requests data is known as the service requester. The software system that processes the data and transmits it back is known as the service provider. These systems are commonly connected to using standard protocols, such as XML and SOAP and all of them use the same standard language, HTML.
Web services let applications communicate with one another, regardless of the programming language they use. This is a major benefit for companies that have decided to move their business operations online because it lets them connect with their customers and partners in a seamless manner.
Con: Implementing web services isn’t an easy task and requires lots of planning and investment from the business. It can also create a complicated web of interactions between the various applications that have to be integrated. Security and privacy are also important concerns.
Web services can cut down on integration costs and reliance on contractors, but they require a change in the way in-house IT development is carried out. These changes can be a challenge for those who have created monolithic programs using a single programming language, such as C and COBOL.