The document outlines the integration of various application systems at Ashram Hotels, a five-star hotel with a focus on seamless data access for both guests and employees. It discusses the use of middleware services and web services, including SOAP, WSDL, and REST, to facilitate communication between disparate systems and improve operational efficiency. Various client interfaces and services are described, emphasizing the need for compatibility and streamlined user access in the hospitality industry.

1. PresentsIntroduction ToWeb Services

2. OverviewAs an example we consider Ashram Hotels, a five star hotel. Ashram Hotels has been in hospitality business for more than 20 years and has acquired many different application systems which work on different operating systems. Their goal is to facilitate data transfer between these systems and make data access seamlessConfidential

3. DataData exists in text files, excel sheets, databases and other propretiary formats. These need to be transferred between one system to another say Housekeeping and Reservation systems.Data access to the user should be seamless – that they need not log on to different systems to access information. Confidential

4. Ashram Hotels Technology -SystemsConfidentialSYSTEMS Property Management System (PMS) will be off the shelf which is customizable.

5. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) will be compatible with PMS, Reservation System and other systems.e-Mail ServerCRMReservation SystemPMSSERVICESServices consists of: VOIP, e-Fax services for business/personal communication.

6. Wireless services for all wireless clients internal and external.

7. Delivery.com is a service where guests can order from nearby restaurants, laundry etc. e-FaxVOIPG-MapsDelivery.comWireless

8. AccessTo access the various systems in previous slide employee and also guests (for some of the systems) need an interface (client interface). These can be a web page, an application, mobile device etc. The card key system also needs to de-activate when the guest checks out which is another client interface. Confidential

9. Ashram Hotels Technology - ClientsConfidentialCLIENTSSmartKey is a check in, frequent guest card and room key.

10. Kiosks are available for check-In and other guest services.

11. Microsoft Surface (MS Surface) available for guests in the lobby .

12. Online Reservations, Wireless Communications and E-fax are other technical features available for guests.

13. Legacy methods of reservations and check-in and out will also be options for guests – like reception desk, TV and even Fax. KiosksRoom Key/Check InMS SurfaceiPhoneOnline Res.Wireless DeviceseFaxTV Res.

14. IssuesThere are different clients and systems which may not be compatible with some of the clients. With self-reservation on the rise Ashram hotels is behind the competition.Employees and guests need to refer to say Google Maps for directions rather than that being integrated. Reports to directors and executives takes many weeks to prepare. Confidential

15. SolutionIntegrating these various systems to the clients is the solution. The best solution is to utilize what systems in place and integrate them with the clients and between themselves. The method of integration is called middleware services and sometimes loosely called web services- as most of the data is transferred over the web via HTTP protocol. Confidential

16. Ashram Hotels – Integration PlatformConfidential

17. Middleware ServicesConfidentialEach system has different protocols to communicate with their middle-ware. Some use XML (a customized HTML) - a stream or a file is passed. Documents can also be passed between systemsMS technology ‘s SOAP has recently gained a lot of popularity with Web Services . Web Services is the global method which includes receiving messages from all kinds of clients i.e. wireless devices and traditional systems.Middleware Services can be loosely defined as services which bring about communication between heterogeneous application systems. E.g. J2EE app with .NET app or any other proprietary applications. The middleware connects users /systems with other systems.

18. Between SystemsMiddleware Systems exist internally between say two or more systems which may have to be written. These integration APIs (Application Programming Interface) can be bought or written.WARNING: Sometimes an API is not available between systems. Confidential

19. Web ServicesWhen two systems cannot be integrated or an external client wants to get access one of the system say Expedia would like to access available rooms; then we define a middleware service for users/systems to access data on Ashram application system.To implement the middleware we use web services which use open protocol over HTML. As the data is request/response and is transmitted over the web these services are called web services. Amazon and Google provide web services for external users/vendors.Confidential

20. Web Services 2What are Web Services?Web services are application componentsWeb services communicate using open protocolsWeb services are self-contained and self-describingWeb services can be discovered using UDDIWeb services can be used by other applicationsXML is the basis for Web servicesReference: http://www.w3schools.com/webservices/ws_intro.aspConfidential

21. What is SOAP?SOAP is an XML-based protocol to let applications exchange information over HTTP.Or more simple: SOAP is a protocol for accessing a Web Service.SOAP stands for Simple Object Access ProtocolSOAP is a communication protocolSOAP is a format for sending messagesSOAP is designed to communicate via Internet SOAP is platform independentSOAP is language independentSOAP is based on XMLSOAP is simple and extensibleSOAP allows you to get around firewallsSOAP is a W3C standardConfidential