I've used SOAP at work with great success. We map sql select queries from the input XML and use the web service simply as a language independent (text-based), read-only database (we only allow select). The XML let's us control all queries run on the database and provides more than enough flexibility for generating a flexible where clause for filtering.
The platform independence is huge for obvious reasons. The XML based querying is huge because now the data model is totally hidden from our users. We just work from what they're asking for.
Comments
I've used SOAP at work with great success. We map sql select queries from the input XML and use the web service simply as a language independent (text-based), read-only database (we only allow select). The XML let's us control all queries run on the database and provides more than enough flexibility for generating a flexible where clause for filtering.
The platform independence is huge for obvious reasons. The XML based querying is huge because now the data model is totally hidden from our users. We just work from what they're asking for.