This work deals with Open Access and its implementation at the Alfred Wegener Institute; Bremerhaven. The existing system for archiving scientific publications has proved to be expensive and to lack the flexibility required in the Open Archives-framework. Two alternative architectures compliant with Open Access concepts are presented: OAI-PMH and Web Services via SOAP.A detailed comparison of both architectures is followed by the implementation of a prototype. This is based on a suitable technology for fullfilling the requirements of Open Access and contributes to the solution of the problems of the existing system. In the conclusion future developments are discussed.