Free OGC standardized WEB services for spatial data

This paper presents an overview and possibilities for the usage of open web services and standardized interfaces for spatial data that are developed and maintained by the OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium). Besides the short overview of various approaches and implementation of web services, this paper focuses on the most frequently applied OpenGIS standard services that are based on the XML meta-language for the exchange of messages and spatial data transfer The concluding remarks outline the main existent and potential application domains of open web services in the field of surveying, with regard to the access to distributed databases and web cartographic presentations.