"The term Web services describes a standardized way of integrating Web-based applications using the XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI open standards over an Internet protocol backbone." - Webopedia.com

Web services are solutions that allow communication between machines over networks. Many times these services are accessed over the Internet and processed by the receiving machine.

"The W3C Web service definition encompasses many different systems, but in common usage the term refers to clients and servers that communicate using XML messages that follow the SOAP standard." - Wikipedia.com

Core Specifications:

* SOAP – An XML based message with connections to other protocols like HTTP or HTTPS.
* WSDL – AN XML format that contains information about the service configurations.
* UUDI – A protocol of sending and receiving metadata about web services that allows automatic application discovery of these services during runtime.

The basic process begins with an XML the creation of an XML document. This can be something requested from another machine or the initial invoke. SOAP is used to send the XML to the other machine. The traffic usually occurs on port 80 (http) or port 443 (https secure). The main goal is to allow communication of machines regardless of the architecture or hardened firewall rules. Web services do not require the use of client browsers like Firefox. These processes are normally server to server quite possibly while clients are accessing data. The process is hidden to the end user most times.

Works Cited
GotDotNET Introducing XML Web services. (n.d.). Retrieved from GotDotNET:

http://samples.gotdotnet.com/quickstart/aspplus/doc/webservicesintro.aspx

Webopedia Web Services. (n.d.). Retrieved from Webopedia:

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/Web_services.html

Wikipedia Web Service. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_service