Abstract: A method and apparatus for data retrieval by a computing system and a plurality of agent computers in a distributed network is disclosed. The computing system sends a request to each agent computer to perform a search at a node. The agents perform the searches. The agents thereupon send the resulting data to the computing system for storage in a central database.

Abstract: A method is described of providing dealer authorization information to a remote processing system. A local processing system receives information from a manufacturer for updating a database of authorized dealers. The local processing system then receives a validation request from the remote processing system via a network. In response to receiving the validation request, the local processing system queries the database and transmits information to the remote processing system, including an indication of whether a particular dealer is an authorized dealer for one or more manufacturers. The validation request is generated in response to the remote processing system's having identified a predetermined HTML tag in a dealer World Wide Web page. Capability to recognize the tag and transmit a validation request in response thereto is provided by a Web browser plug-in downloaded to the remote processing system. The local processing system may also include a number of order processing units for electronic commerce.