onlineservice

An online service (often written as onlineservice) is a service, application, or resource delivered over a network—principally the Internet—and consumed remotely by a client. Such services enable users to access software, data, or functionality without installing or maintaining local infrastructure. Processing is frequently performed on remote servers, with results streamed or transmitted to the user’s device.

Online services are commonly provided under service models such as software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS). They may expose programmatic interfaces through web services and APIs, enabling integration with other systems. Typical examples include email and collaboration tools, cloud storage, streaming media, e-commerce platforms, online banking, and social networks. Many services emphasize accessibility across devices and geographic regions.

Architecturally, online services use a client–server paradigm and are often built as distributed systems. They rely on authentication and authorization, data persistence, and scalable infrastructure, frequently employing REST or SOAP APIs, microservices, load balancing, and redundancy to maintain availability and performance. Service-level agreements commonly define uptime, support, and data-handling commitments.

Online services grew from early web applications and expanded with cloud computing during the 2000s, enabling consumption-based software and on-demand resources. They serve individuals and organizations across sectors, while governance is provided by terms of service, privacy policies, and regulatory compliance.

Security and privacy considerations include encryption, access controls, audit trails, data localization, and compliance with applicable laws and industry standards to protect user data and ensure trust. See also cloud computing, software as a service, web services.