A system (10) for managing a distributed database of electronic data files generally includes at least one host platform (100) disposed at a first site, at least one storage facility (200) disposed at a second site remote therefrom, and one or more user platforms (300) disposed at third sites remote from the first and second sites. The storage facility (200) retrievably stores a plurality of electronic data files for generating graphic images. The host platform (100) is configured to automatically control access by user platforms (300) to the electronic data files and maintains a system index table containing for each of the stored electronic data files at least one file record of identifying attributes corresponding thereto. The host platform (100) is operable to automatically generate the file record in accordance with a preselected set of configurational parameters and to selectively retrieve at least portions of the electronic data files for graphic reproduction at a user platform (300).