What is the best way to work with/consume custom XML web services in ASP.NET? The web service in question was developed quite a few years ago. It works by POST'ing the XML to a specific web page and then responding with more XML. Run of the mill design, but it doesn't follow any SOAP standards. It follows a strict schema though.
What technologies are out there now that can make working with this easier? Or am I stuck doing custom HTTPRequests?
Looks like your web service is a "XML over HTTP" Service. I think you may end up doing custom HTTP Posts as they are not at all standardized.
I would bite the bullet and convert it to a known standard such as SOAP, JSON...etc. You have so many tools in .NET to make the consumptions brainless if you use a standard. You will probably encounter less bugs going forward as well.
I've hear great things of RestSharp and I think it can easily cover your scenario.