> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/patchworks-services/getting-started/what-is-a-service.md).

# What is a service?

## Overview

In Patchworks, a **service** is a mechanism for configuring and then managing the flow of data between two systems. These two systems are accessed via [connectors](/product-documentation/patchworks-services/service-connectors/what-is-a-service-connector.md).   

Each service includes a **source** **connector** (from which data is **pulled**) and a **destination connector** (to which data is **pushed**). It also includes settings for:

* [Trigger](/product-documentation/patchworks-services/working-with-services/adding-a-patchworks-service/set-the-service-trigger-schedule.md). Control how often the service should run - i.e. the frequency of data syncs
* [Filters](/product-documentation/patchworks-services/working-with-services/adding-a-patchworks-service/define-service-filters.md). Determine what data is pulled from the source - for example, if you schedule a service to run every 10 minutes, it would be sensible to only pull data that's been added or updated in the last 10 minutes.
* [Mappings](/product-documentation/patchworks-services/working-with-services/adding-a-patchworks-service/define-field-mappings.md). When data is pulled from a source system, Patchworks needs to know where it needs to go in the destination system and what (if any) [transformations](/product-documentation/patchworks-services/working-with-services/field-mappings-and-transformations-services/field-transformations-services.md) are required to make that happen.

The illustration below helps to visualise this:

![](/files/F8dPgRwxmboGoAKDzqoM)

When you [add a new service](/product-documentation/patchworks-services/working-with-services/adding-a-patchworks-service.md), Patchworks guides you through the setup of all these details in a 'wizard' style. Once services are configured, you can [update](/product-documentation/patchworks-services/working-with-services/updating-a-service.md) them at any time.