A system and method for performing a distributed search in response to a
user request. In response to a search request received from a user at a
local server, a request is spawned and transmitted to a remote site to
search information at the remote site. Substantially in parallel with the
remote search request, a search of local resources (e.g., catalog of
products/services) is initiated. At the remote site (e.g., an electronic
marketplace), the search is conducted in the proper context for the user
(e.g., user identity, language, organization) and the results are
returned to the local server. The local server merges the local and
remote search results, applies any desired business logic (e.g., to
screen the results by price, description or other criteria) and provides
a uniform display to the user.