Web Service
From ContractPal
A web service enables a web application to use ContractPal's eSign operations. Web services can start transactions and import data and documents. For example, an insurance company has a web site for agents and customers to create and manage a policy. Using web services, the appropriate documents are added to a policy and documents prepopulated with the customers information. The policy signing process is simplified and expedited.
Creating a Web Service Account
To start using web services, you will need a web service account. This account is used by a web application to connect to ContractPal. For example, a web application needs to present an online agreement to a customer. A connection is opened by sending a web service account username and password to ContractPal.
Accessing the WSDL
After a connection is established with ContractPal, messages are formatted according to a specification called a Web Service Description Language (WSDL). It describes how to format messages to make requests to ContractPal. To access the WSDL document you will need web service account credentials (username and password).
Web Services Security
As mentioned above, ContractPal implements a web service interface using the Web Services Definition Language (WSDL). Since WSDL itself does not specify security, ContractPal has adopted policies to protect its web service interface. All web service traffic is encrypted using SSL 3.0. In addition, the ContractPal platform requires that all remote web service connections implement basic authentication using a web service account username and password. ContractPal provides the tools necessary to securely set up each web service account and the username and password associated with the account.
Using Web Services
There are two sample web applications using a JSP script or a PHP script. The sample web applications demonstrate how a web service is used.