>The over all goal with this new system is to be entirely web based with an SQL Server backend and a to-be-decided middle tool. But I have pointed out that we have people who physically cannot get access to the system via the web. So how can I help them out?

Bret,

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to chime in here about this, but my guess is that you would have to minimally install MSDE on the laptops and perhaps make use of SQL's replication to bring the server data down to the laptop. Unfortunately I don't have direct experience with this, but it's the idea that came to mind.

Laterness,
Jon