An apparatus, system, and method for creating and managing a data server-managed web services runtime. A generic web service runtime module and associated runtime controller are deployed on an application server. The runtime controller monitors a web services management metadata store for changes in the web service metadata defining the available data access based web services. If a change is detected, the generic web services runtime automatically updates the web service artifacts and web service endpoint interface associated with the affected web service such that the change in the web service metadata is reflected in the data access-based web service. A user manages the web services management metadata store and defines and manages data access-based web services from the database containing the web services management metadata store without interacting with the application server.