Automated resources accessed via the Internet. Web services are software-powered resources or functional components whose capabilities can be accessed at an internet URI. Standards-based web services use XML to interact with each other, which allows them to link up on demand using loose coupling.
Services and components that can be used on the Internet. Web services provide new added value services by combining various Web services without the need for manual input. Web services use XML-related technologies such as SOAP as the communication protocol, WSDL as the interface description language, and UDDI for registering and searching services. Sometimes called XML Web services. Related Item: Technologies > Web Services , SOAP , UDDI
a modular collection of web-protocol based applications that can be mixed and matched to provide business functionality through an internet connection. Web services use standard Internet protocols such as HTTP, XML, and SOAP to provide connectivity and interoperability between companies.
A Web Service is application or business logic that is accessible using standard Internet protocols. Web Services combine the best aspects of component-based development and the World Wide Web. Like components, Web Services represent black-box functionality that can be used and reused without regard to how the service is implemented.
A Web service is a component that runs on a Web server and allows client programs to call its methods over HTTP. Each method on the component appears as a URL and may return data (perhaps an XML document) and accept parameters. This technology is based on the open SOAP specification, so now our server-side components can be available to virtually any client, regardless of language or platform.

Web services are services that are made available from a business's server for Web users or other Web-connected programs. Web services exploit the existence of the Internet and the World Wide Web, including the fact that every Web user has a browser that serves as a ready-made user interface to services, no matter where they are physically located. The term implies the ability to create such services easily and then make it possible for potential users to find your service. The original term was "application services." Web services became the new term as the emphasis shifted toward the Web-based standards and tools that would allow your business to easily put its services on the Web and enable people to find them. This Learn IT intends to give you a "quick handle" on what this is all about and what you and your business may want to do about it now.