Consideration of software quality and reusability in the generation of digital calibration certificates

For the provider of a calibration service, updating that service to generate and deliver machine-readable calibration certificates, referred to as “digital calibration certificates”, or “DCCs”, provides several challenges. For example, DCC generation is partly or wholly reliant on software and therefore it is vital that an appropriate software quality framework is in place. For a provider of calibration services across multiple metrology domains, updating those services presents not only challenges but opportunities that can, and should, be taken. For example, the structured nature of a DCC means that software to generate DCCs in different metrology domains is frequently required to undertake the same or similar tasks. It is therefore desirable for software to be developed to have sufficiently generic functionality that facilitates its reuse. This paper considers both quality and reusability in the context of DCC generation.