Web Service API for Vendors?

Hello,

We've currently offline/FTP based solution through which our vendor provide product information which to be displayed on our website. However we would like to provide webservices API through which they can provide thier product information to us. Could you please suggest on basis of your experiance what would be better choice?

1. SOAP based Web service

2. REST based Web service

and what should be data exchange format SML, JSON , etc (Note currently it happes through files upload using FTP)

Thanks

SOAP and REST have major differences.

SOAP requires a "contract" via a WSDL definition between the provider and the consumer.
SOAP can also allow complex types, multiple services at a single endpoint and comprehensive security.

REST is more simple and designed around basic HTTP operations, GET, POST etc.
REST is primarily URI based also.

I would look into your requirements, and pick the best technology for the deliverable.

WP

My favorite article in terms of decisions:

RESTful Web Services vs. Big Web Services: Making the Right Architectural Decision

http://www.jopera.org/files/www2008-restws-pautasso-zimmermann-leymann.pdf

There already exists a Electronic Business XML standard - may be too complicated for your requirements but perhaps it can give you some ideas.

Bill