The SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC) has since 1990s developed an SPGRC Documentation and Information System (SDIS) at SPGRC and installed it at all the National Plant Genetic Resource Centres (NPGRCs) in each of the 15 SADC Member States. The system was developed as a source of information and to assist in planning and operating genebank activities.

The system preceding the online version was a standalone database whereby countries entered data on accessions of active collections, data which later was transferred to SPGRC by email, FTP, and physically, on CDs. In return, after updating, SPGRC distributed updated versions to all SADC Member countries. This slowed exchange and caused loss or distortion of information.

This web-based SDIS is set to allow 'real-time' accessibility and updating of the database. Besides the system being compatible across platforms, more manageable, highly deployable and more secure with data; its installation and maintenance is less complicated.