For cataloguing, searching for and retrieving photos this software probably is the best thing since Kraft invented sliced cheese.

Daminion | Server-Based Photo Management Solution for Small Teams

Users of Lightroom are probably catered for to some extent in this area but for those who don't use LR this could be useful.

Unlike many photo DAM applications this one doesn't try to be an editor as well. In addition to searching the usual EXIF data you can associate your photos and movies to rankings, keywords and categories all customisable. After searching and retrieving you can open the file in the editing software of your choice.

I've been using it for about six months now and am working my way through about 18,000 photos .

The standalone version is free.

Highly recommended for those who are Windows based.