IBM and Microsoft are strong supporters of the Web Services Interoperability Organization’s (WS-I) efforts to make building solutions using software from different suppliers a reality. In this IBM Redbooks publication, we take a practical look at building a solution with IBM WebSphere and Microsoft .Net components using Web services that are compliant with the WS-I organization’s Basic Profile.

This book is aimed at customers who want to know how far the reality of Web services has caught up with the hype; it is for customers who want a book to help them decide whether Web services are right for them now.

The book provides an introduction to SOAP, WSDL and the rest of the Web services concepts. It provides a review of the many Web service specifications. Which ones are most important to building a practical solution?

We use a scenario based on work IBM has been doing with the insurance industry to demonstrate how to design a service-based solution and then implement it using the latest programming tools from IBM and Microsoft.

Based on our experience, we identify areas where extra effort up front will be rewarded with an easier implementation.

Chapter 1. Introduction

Part 1. Introduction to Web services

Chapter 2. SOAP primer

Chapter 3. WSDL primer

Chapter 4. Web services primer

Part 2. Web services interoperability

Chapter 5. Business scenarios

Chapter 6. Interoperability patterns

Chapter 7. Web services roadmap

Chapter 8. Web service specifications

Chapter 9. Web services in Microsoft .Net and WebSphere

Chapter 10. Deploying Web services

Part 3. Claims scenario

Chapter 11. Designing the scenarios

Chapter 12. Building the claims scenario

Chapter 13. Web service interoperability implementation guidance

Appendix A. Installation and setup

Appendix B. Additional material