In one embodiment, a method is provided in which search indices are configured on a server. The search indices are associated with corresponding business components. The search indices are displayed to a client that is connected to the server via a computer network. The client is configured to perform search using data records stored on a local machine. One or more particular search indices from the server are downloaded onto the client in response to the client's request to download the one or more particular search indices to be used for searching on the local machine.