A web service uses open standards, such as SOAP, WSDL, and XML. SOAP is the communications protocol for web services. The web service client request and the web service response are SOAP messages. A WSDL is an XML schema that describes the protocols, formats, and signatures of the web service operations.

Web service operations include requests for information, requests to update data, or requests to perform tasks. For example, the Web Service Consumer transformation sends a SOAP request to run a web service operation called getCustomerOrders. The transformation passes a customer ID in the request. The web service retrieves the customer and order information. The web service returns the information to the transformation in a SOAP response.

The Web Service Consumer transformation connects to a web service using an endpoint URL defined in the WSDL, in a web services connection, or in an endpoint URL input port. You enable security for web services in a web services connection.