jQuery Grid Plugin - jqGrid

Now that I'm beginning to understand how jqGrid works, I'll ask the tough questions.

I'm trying to design a way to track time by customer.  When I go to add a time entry, I must enter the customer id.  I could use a select (combo box) but I would have to generate that data everytime.  The other limitation is that I have hundreds of customers in my database (unforunately not all active) and a standard select box would not be efficient to search through.

Is there a way to have a lookup off of a data entry box when adding and editing records?

In addition, once the key is selected, could I use your checkbox image swap theory to display the customer name instead of the key?

Thanks,

-David