The TopoSys laser scanner system is designed to produce digital elevation models (DEMs) at a maximum accuracy of 0.5 m in x and y and 0.1 m in z. The regular scan pattern and the measurement frequency of 80 000 measurements per second (on average 5 measurements per m2) form the basis for high quality DEMs.The mainly automated data processing makes it possible to generate DEMs of large areas in a short production time. The DEMs produced come into common use as basic data for different applications, some of which are water resources management, shoreline control, planning of utility lines and urban planning (simulation of noise and pollution distributions). The performance of the system is illustrated with the help of DEM sections produced with the TopoSys system.