The OpenLS Implementation Specification defines a set of core interfaces for implementing interoperable location service applications. The core interfaces are for accessing directory services (such as yellow pages), route determination, location determination gateway, geocoding, reverse geocoding, and portrayal services using standard Web protocols. The interfaces allow telecommunications companies, telematics service providers, traditional GIS technology companies, and location-based services (LBS) providers to efficiently implement interoperable LBS applications that seamlessly access multiple content repositories and service frameworks that work across the world’s many different wireless networks and devices.
The following organizations submitted the OpenGIS OpenLS Implementation Specification for formal adoption: Autodesk, ESRI, Image Matters, Intergraph IntelliWhere, MapInfo, and Webraska. The submitters acknowledge the following OGC member organizations for their in-kind contributions: Hutchison 3G, IONIC Software sa, Navigation Technologies, Oracle, and Sun Microsystems.
The OpenLS Specification grew from work performed in OGC’s Interoperability Program, a global, collaborative, hands-on engineering and testing program that rapidly delivers proven candidate specifications into OGC’s Specification Program, where they are formalized for public release. In OGC’s Interoperability Initiatives, international teams of technology providers work together to solve specific geoprocessing interoperability problems posed by the Initiative’s sponsoring organizations.
