Functionality from a line of business application can be exposed as a web service. User input is received that requests information about objects exposed by a line of business application. Metadata is also gathered about a first set of objects exposed by the line of business application. The metadata is returned to the user. User input is received selecting a second set of objects from among the first set of objects to be exposed as a web service. A web service model is constructed that exposes the second set of objects. The web service model includes a service description, metadata map, and configuration information. The web service model is published to allow for web service clients to access the second set of objects by accessing the web service model. The web service can then be used to translate messages between a line of business application and one or more web service clients.