The system is designed to have a central relational database system for hosting the captured and submitted data. Microsoft SQL Server is the technology used to host the application.

Setting up of the performance indicators as well as reporting periods is centralised and the SOS team has the sole responsibility of managing these administrative activities in the system. SOS is also responsible for setting up the Quarterly (and Monthly) reporting periods, setting up the dates they open and close, for automatic email reminders and submission close-off dates.

The system is designed such that this setup work is done once, at the beginning of the financial year. This necessitates co-operation with respective substructures to agree on reporting timelines, due Indicators & their targets per reporting period and responsible submitters. Adjustments to the configurations can, however, be carried out anytime during the operations following proper change control procedures.

To simplify the system for ease of use, one screen for report submission was designed which displays the Reporting Period in Question, the Submitter, and the Division that is submitting, together with the list of Applicable Indicators for that period.