You asked about a "title plant". Speaking personally, I have my searches for the past 22 years and back titles for many years prior to that. Could I do this job without those files, of course, but it does help and gives me a leg up on getting some searches completed.

We also had limited access to the ROD during the shutdown (2 hours at a  time, with a limit of 12 in the office, etc.) It was difficult, but we all worked together and helped each other when we could. I didn't slow down during that time either.  

Even having on-line resources, a title plant, or back titles, it is still necessary to be physically in the ROD for some items. In Charleston, not all documents or indexes are online, making it necessary to be in the ROD. Not all court cases are accessible online, for older cases a visit to the Clerk's office is required. Family Court cases are only available in person.

All that being said, I am not sure how you can do anything more than a limited search without being in the County offices.