MetaSearch allows the user to search various information sources on the web – local or web files, e-mail, etc. – and to receive the contents in multiple formats (text, mail, doc, pdf, xml, etc.), from which it automatically creates metadata profiles. These are then used to enrich the information with suggestions and further search keys. The system is able to manage already structured formats (for example the domain of Beni Culturali PICO, METS, ICCD formats, etc.). For more complex data extraction operations, MetaSearch can be integrated with MetaKMS. On the basis of results and other information, the user can then widen the search and filter the contents of the information (for example by origin or source, date, type, subject groups etc.). Everything is completely automatic.

The simplified search functions with interactive filtering allow the final user to retrieve the necessary information in a simpler way and to receive contents which correspond more closely to the query. Exploration of the retrieved documents is also more intuitive. Interface and browsing are based on interactive filtering functions, visualization of the relationship between documents and classification, automatic suggestions of similar documents, automatic grouping of documents on the basis of the similarity of their textual contents, etc.

There are multiple areas of use. These include simplified exploration and search systems in document databases for public administration (forms, laws, standards etc.); fruition systems for library and museum catalogues and indexes (bibliographic information, catalogue cards of digital items); auxiliary systems for CRM, Customer Relation Management (intelligent FAQ, trouble shooting, requests for further material); e-learning systems (contents modelling for specific needs, dynamic suggestions of learning objects, concept maps), and management systems for firms and groups of firms (document archives, email, planning documents, manuals).