A Service Network is an application level network that leverages a Service Oriented Architecture. The Service Network is composed of a number of Service Network Participants and many Services.

Unlike past programming models where discrete applications were built, in a Service Network, it is often difficult to identify where one application begins and ends. The applications and the network become one entity.

The Service Network extends beyond the firewall and integrates with Service Networks of other companies. This is made possible by the standardization of the protocols used to communicate, namely the WS-I Basic Profile and GXA. This model of integrating corporations via service is often called the Extended Enterprise.