Edrm.netdefines metadata as information about a particular data set which describes how, when and by whom it was collected, created, accessed, modified and how it is formatted. Some metadata, such as file dates and sizes, can easily be seen by users; other metadata can be hidden or embedded and unavailable to computer users who are not technically adept. 

Simply stated, metadata is data about data.  Information about all of your electronic files is there, frozen in time, just waiting for you to take advantage of it and the benefits are endless.  Let’s say you have a set of exhibits, named for each exhibit, in PDF form.  If you want to load these documents into a review database, wouldn’t it be nice to have the “filename” field given to you don’t have to go through each exhibit and code it with the exhibit number?  For more complex cases involving emails, attachments and loose files, metadata can save hours of time and be a useful sorting and searching tool, easily putting your files in chronological order or allowing you to locate a particular document in a short amount of time. 

Rainmaker is happy to work with you to customize load files for your specific database, complete with any available metadata you might need.  For more information on how we can help you, give us a call at 512.472.9911. 

Tip: Metadata is a helpful tool for internal use, but it’s important to remember its existence when producing documents to another party or opposing counsel.  If you produce a document in its native format (the format in which the files were created and in which they are normally maintained), it will typically include metadata that is easily accessible.  By producing documents as images like TIFFs or JPGs, PDF files or printed paper, you can avoid producing metadata.

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