Web services, a major new trend in standards-based software technology, is made up of pieces of custom-developed code that lets two or more Web-based applications talk to each other.

Actional hooks up with Microsoft and joins a growing number of companies touting tools for Web services application performance.

Web services describes a set of XML-based standards and a method of programming applications to share information between disparate systems.

Web application firewalls are evolving to support XML- and Web services-based applications, and vendors Teros and NetContinuum are both driving upcoming product releases in that direction.

Web services are software applications that allow their programs to run over the Internet — taking advantage of new technology standards and creating workable and efficient e-commerce ...

Actional gets a high-profile start by hooking up with Microsoft to join a growing number of companies touting tools for Web services application performance.

MetiLinx and Digital Evolution launch a combined application that's designed to improve the performance of Web services applications.

Garzotto says the real-time nature of the applications that will take advantage of Web services requires that they have accurate, real-time data.

Web services have their downside - in particular, the additional burden placed on applications - but the advantages of rapid development and Internet integration far outweighs this. The real issue ...