1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: storing, at a computing device, a plurality of data tiles and associated metadata objects, wherein the data tiles are associated with a plurality of applications within a system, wherein each metadata object includes a persistent identifier that uniquely identities an associated data file, wherein each data tile has a name, and wherein the persistent identifier remains the same when a tile name is changed or when a data file is modified; and receiving an input, wherein the input causes creation of a new data file, or modification of an existing data file, wherein: when the input indicates creation of a new data file, a metadata object including a persistent identifier is generated and associated with the new data file, and one or more appropriate importers are determined, wherein the one or more appropriate importers are used to import metadata from the associated data file, and when the input indicates modification of an existing data file, a persistent identifier is used to identify an associated metadata object, and one or more appropriate importers are determined, wherein the one or more appropriate importers are used to import metadata from the associated data file.