We use Web Services with our new Vendor Integration Protocol (VIP), through which acquisitions librarians can check book pricing and availability within a matter of seconds with their book jobber. Baker & Taylor, Ingram, Book Wholesalers, Inc., and Brodart all support the VIP protocol. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Literally any transaction between an acquisitions system and a book jobber, for example, can be performed through Web Services. [Library Journal – Dynix Turns 20: A Q&A with President Jack Blount]
We even see Web Services replacing Z39.50 as the protocol of choice between library portals and online electronic databases. EBSCO recently introduced its Web Services interface to EBSCOhost. Web Services will form the basis of real-time communications among library systems, portals, and all other systems in the future. [Library Journal – Dynix Turns 20: A Q&A with President Jack Blount]
