Hi, GAR's. I've got a question I hope you can provide some useful
information for I'm looking for points to the right direction,
recommended technologies to use, and pros and cons for using what you
recommend. In short, I'm looking for you to help me decide where to
start to solve a problem, but I'm not looking for you guys to solve it
(that would be a LOT of work).

The problem is this. I'm starting a computer repair business and would
like to automate certain functions and integrate them into my website.
Namely, I want a customer login where they can go ahead and see what
the status is on any repairs, the warranty period for any computers
they have bought from us, and other such things.

The other major portion I'm looking to implement is an employee login.
Employees should be able to enter an item code and update information
about items and retrieve information about items.

Example: 

A) Fixing a computer, Employee scans or types a barcode into a field,
then it brings up a section relating to the computer being fixed. If
this is the first person to touch the computer, he then will enter any
information about what's wrong with it, who'se computer it is, and
what he does to it to fix it.

B) The next employee who deals with that computer, to provide follow
up, will scan the barcode or have it read to them, enters it into the
computer, and the previous information comes up, along with the
ability to add any new details.

Other things I want my website to be able to do:

Have a custom pc configurator, where you choose the parts of the
computer, and it provides a price quote. Ability to submit an actual
order is optional. The prices in this configurator should tie into a
database of current costs / prices we charge for the components, such
that when we update our price list for internal use, the configurator
gets updated as well.

Be able to create invoices from the previous barcode scenario
described, including information about what was done with the computer
and the amount charged.

All the types of data above should be in a reasonably robust database
(such as Mysql).

I don't mind using for-pay software, and the amount I'm willing to
spend relates directly to how well the program meets my needs.
Something that needs major work to learn or retool for my purposes
should cost very little. Something that fits my needs perfectly, well,
I'd be willing to pay a great deal for that, but can't afford more
than $1000.

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So.... What I'm looking for from a researcher is this:

1) Tell me what I've gotten myself into. What amount of time / money /
expertise am I going to need to do this?

2) What specific tools / services will I need to make this happen?
What free or for-pay scripts / programs will make the task easier or
the solution more complete? If I need custom programming, what level
of programming skills / which programming languages will be most
helpful?

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The price is set at $50. I don't expect you to design my solution for
me, but I expect a good amount of work towards pointing me in the
right direction, thus, the price set.