What is a GIS web service?

A GIS web service is fundamentally defined as a standardized way of providing access to geospatial data over the internet. This means it allows users and applications to connect with and utilize geographic information systems remotely, facilitating data sharing, analysis, and integration without needing to download or store the data locally. Web services serve as a bridge between various systems and tools, enabling them to communicate and exchange geospatial data efficiently, regardless of the hardware or software being used.

This approach supports the use of standards such as Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS), which define protocols for serving georeferenced map images and geospatial features, respectively. Such standardization is essential for promoting interoperability among different GIS applications and platforms, making it easier for users to access and utilize diverse datasets seamlessly over the internet.