Editing Geographic information system (section)

===Open Geospatial Consortium standards===
{{Main|Open Geospatial Consortium}}
The [[Open Geospatial Consortium]] (OGC) is an international industry consortium of 384&nbsp;companies, government agencies, universities, and individuals participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available geoprocessing specifications. Open interfaces and protocols defined by OpenGIS&nbsp;Specifications support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream&nbsp;IT, and empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications. Open Geospatial Consortium protocols include [[Web Map Service]], and [[Web Feature Service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opengeospatial.org/ogc/members |title=OGC Members &#124; OGC(R) |publisher=Opengeospatial.org |access-date=13 May 2012}}</ref>

GIS&nbsp;products are broken down by the&nbsp;OGC into two categories, based on how completely and accurately the software follows the OGC&nbsp;specifications.
[[File:Geoservices server with apps.png|thumb|347px|OGC standards help GIS tools communicate.]]

''Compliant products'' are software products that comply to OGC's&nbsp;OpenGIS&nbsp;Specifications. When a product has been tested and certified as compliant through the OGC&nbsp;Testing Program, the product is automatically registered as "compliant" on this site.

''Implementing products'' are software products that implement OpenGIS&nbsp;Specifications but have not yet passed a compliance test. Compliance tests are not available for all specifications. Developers can register their products as implementing draft or approved specifications, though OGC&nbsp;reserves the right to review and verify each entry.