Why You Should Use Web Services

written by: Emanuela Hedrick; article published: year 2006, month 08;

In: Root » Internet » Web services

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There are two main reasons to use web services, both remarkably straightforward: someone else has information you require, or you have information you wish to provide to others. When planning a new web service, remember that servers can either provide or accept information. Remember that web services can provide any level of security, from a completely open service open to all who request it, to a private service with transfers happening over SSL and client-side certificates to validate identities.

Convincing the Boss

Here are a few more tidbits that should help convince the boss (or you) that web services are a route to look into:

  • Web services make use of technology you already have deployed — you already have a web server, you already have a database, and so on. Why not provide another way to access the data?

  • Web services fit into the security scheme you are already employing. Careful deployment will keep security concerns in line with regular web access.

  • Technically savvy users will find a way to access the information they desire. Without web services they will need to resort to methods like screen scraping, which is more difficult to control and can be unreliable (and providing unreliable access to your information is worse than providing none at all).

  • Web services can help manage costs; easy integration with companies (like FedEx) that offer services to you can result in lower variable costs for your transactions.

  • Web services will allow your business to scale; allowing clients to integrate their systems with yours will help encourage continued relationships, and avoid devoting resources to creating systems for specific clients.

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