The background
Enterprises worldwide have embraced Web services as the preferred middleware technology for integrating their Web-enabled, e-business applications. Hundreds of Web service sites offer very useful services that provide essential components for running B2B or B2C e-business applications. Many enterprises outsource items ranging from security services for their plants and offices to outsource packing and forwarding, or even cleaning services. Specialized Web service companies provide the latest exchange rates for any combination of the 100+ countries they cater to. Web service companies have hundreds of B2B or B2C e-commerce/e-business clients who need their services (on a 24×7 basis) for running their non-stop global businesses.
Some examples of Web services include:
* Providing access to FedEx tracking information by taking a tracking number and returning shipment status from FedEx
* Credit card maintenance and management
* Providing authentication
* Returning real-time flight information for flights in the air, given an airline code and flight number, using current information from online service.
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