>Hi Bonnie, I would like to do it the way you suggest but the client wants access to the data (r/o) over the web (e.g. from an Internet cafe ) to check on stock levels etc..., all data entry will be done using the existing Winforms app and uploaded (don't know how yet !) to the web as and when required - wish me luck ??

If the data entry is being done in the windows client, is your client only looking for web reporting capability for that data?

If so, look at SQL Reporting services in SQL2005 (even available with SQL Express now). You can do a LOT with SQL reporting Services and it is all web based.