The NI DataFinder Server Edition includes features and capabilities that make it well-suited as a data management tool for large groups in which multiple engineers need to access large amounts of data, possibly stored in multiple locations. It is an indexing service that parses any custom file format for descriptive information (properties) and creates a database of the descriptive information within a user’s data files. This database is automatically updated as soon as a valid data file is created, deleted or edited. DataFinder can be thought of as an iTunes for data files. Both DataFinder and iTunes are management tools to help keep track of numerous files. Whereas iTunes generates a virtual library that keeps tracks of songs and their metadata (artist, song title, etcerera), DIAdem creates a database for all properties written to any data files. While the iTunes virtual library will only interpret metadata from compatible file formats (MP3, WAV, etcetera), DataFinder will only index properties from files that have a DataPlugin registered with DIAdem. The DataPlugin maps custom file formats to the TDMS model, which can have properties saved to the file, channel group or channel levels.