RPCs have been around for 25 years. (see RFC 1057.) SOAP
differs from previous RPC systems in two main ways:
- It uses the Web. It is layered on W3C Recommendations and tries
to use web infrastructure. It can be explained to non-technical
people in terms of their web experience (eg filling out
forms).
- It comes at a time when business is finally ready. Internet
connectivity is an accepted part of the modern business world and
the notion of supply-chain automation makes sense to every business
manager.
