A primary purpose of the academic laboratory is the training of graduate and post-doctoral students. These positions are by their nature, of limited duration. The creation and development of software tools can be an ideal mechanism for creating a deep understanding of the concepts and best practices of proteomics. However, tools created during training can languish following the graduation and departure of the student unless there is a considered and established plan for sustainability in place. We have established and maintained a procedure for sustainable software using the following established practices.