Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indexing and searching documents are disclosed. For example, a user of an electronic record management system may deploy a background indexing processes using a certain amount of parallel computing resources that may take several hours to complete. Subsequently, the user may change the number of computing resources dedicated to the indexing process without interrupting the indexing process. Upon completion, the indexing process creates a plurality of subindexes. The user may then deploy a background searching processes using a selected amount of parallel computing resources that may take several hours to complete. Subsequently, the user may change the number of computing resources dedicated to the searching process without interrupting the searching process. Upon completion, the searching process creates a plurality of partial search results that are combined into a final search result.