The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software related product (e.g., computer readable medium) presented for: reading all multi-application files stored in network devices (i.e., in servers, workstations, archives, backup repositories, etc.) comprised in a computer network or reading selected multi-application files comprising one or more predefined features and stored in said network devices using a generic application programming interface (GAPI), followed by creating and/or updating (e.g., periodically) meta-data for the files read by using the GAPI, and/or followed by retrieving requested files out of the multi-application files using the meta-data for the requested files (if the meta-data is created and properly updated).