Web services allow for integration both within and between organizations through standardized XML messaging over the internet. The core technologies that enable web services are SOAP, which defines a standard messaging protocol, WSDL, which describes service interfaces, and UDDI, which allows services to be published and discovered. SOAP uses XML for flexible, self-describing messages and takes advantage of XML features like namespaces and schemas. It defines an envelope, header and body structure. Common uses of web services include processing purchase orders, answering inquiries, and processing shipment requests across organizational boundaries without tight coupling between partners.