Which Technology for Large Web Based Database App?

[thesaintv12]

I'll start this by saying that I am from a desktop/main-frame background.  Other than Wordpress, html and the odd bit of php my web skills are limited.

It looks like i might get the contract to replace one of the old management systems for an automotive company I wrote back in 1999 (VB6 SQL2000.  200+ users, 1GB/data/year).  While I am happy to switch to .Net and the latest version of SQL, I feel it is probably best to take a step back ask for peoples experience on which technologies they are using and why.

The client is keen to stay with SQL Server as the database is solid and well developed, but they don't mind which front end technology is used.  I will probably hire a developer or two, but whatever I use I'd like to have a basic understanding

What would you use and why?

[thesaintv12]

Thanks Jason. 

They are talking up Ruby on Rails after seeing something demoed in it today.  Anyone developed anything in that?