Function Running in the Background

Hello, I have a function which is constantly updating my folder with data from our network, however, when I run it I loose control of my command window, since I cannot input any other order. I can open another Matlab and then can keep working while my data is being updated, but this is not the correct way. Any ideas? Later on I will build a GUI to operate the whole thing, but at the moment I have to do everything by calling m-files and input names throught the command window. Thanks in advance. Jordi