1. A method for the configurable real time transformation of dissimilar data sources in a web service-based environment, the method further consisting of the steps of: acquiring real time information pertaining to at least one data source, wherein the information comprises reference information that is associated with the data source, data transformation specification information that is associated with the data source, and scheduled event specification information that is associated with the data source; maintaining the data source information; acquiring data from the data source in accordance with a specified scheduled event; converting the acquired data into a predetermined standardized format; performing at least one data transformation function from the real time stream upon the converted data in accordance with the acquired data transformation specification information that was associated with the data source; and transmitting the transformed data to a destination data source.