For Python, web services are a nascent arena. In fact, as of this writing, several different SOAP implementations are in the works, yet none of them have reached maturity. The most mature SOAP implementations exist for both Java and Microsoft COM environments, and are supported by key industry heavyweights such as IBM and Microsoft. It’s likely that these implementations will drive the adoption of web services, as well as help shape the standard. Fortunately, these implementations are available to your Python applications.