[1] These images are typically produced by a map server from data provided by a GIS database.

[4] The OGC established a task force to come up with a strategy,[5] and organized the "Web Mapping Testbed" initiative, inviting pilot web mapping projects that built upon ideas by Doyle and the OGC task force.

A WMS server usually serves the map in a bitmap format, e.g. PNG, GIF, JPEG, etc.

In addition, vector graphics can be included, such as points, lines, curves and text, expressed in SVG or WebCGM format.

Open source software that provide web map services capability include: Proprietary server software that allow providing web map services include: Open source standalone (client side) software that allow viewing web map services include: Proprietary standalone (client side) software that allow viewing web map services include: WMS is a widely supported format for maps and GIS data accessed via the Internet and loaded into client side GIS software.