Web Services aren't going to be very flexible when it comes to general access to the database server. Web methods are best used for specific tasks, and really weren't intended for use as general re-route proxies to the underlying data. If you're limiting yourself to specific tasks (adding/removing customers, shipments, etc.) then Web services are exactly what you're looking for, but I couldn't imagine developing a database application without direct access to the database server for testing, security and ease-of-development.