Add an automation method to the server which can perform the lookup for you and return the result. You could do this in the OnGetText method of a TField object. Then you would just use a regular TDBEdit instead of a data aware component like the TDBLookupComboBox. Some master tables that change infrequently you may want to store locally. With the data stored locally you could use an automation method to check for changes and refresh the client if necessary.