Web services primer

Web services is a general concept that is used to promote systems interoperability. Companies often adopt or purchase products. Some of those products may be the source of truth for certain data or perform specific business functions. However, the technical implementation of these products and systems is often very different. Some of the implementation details, such as those found in SaaS products, are even abstracted from those who procured the service. But products often do not run in isolation and the need for interoperability has become a critical requirement for many businesses.

Let’s take the simple example of a website. Many websites, such as those in Drupal, have means of engagement. This engagement may come through a web form on a website to inquire about services or products for that business. But businesses often have different departments. The marketing or sales departments may be the recipients of the engagement. While Drupal could easily...