Note, this is not to create an application, but to articulate the optimum architecture for accomplishing what I want to do.
I want to convert a 10 MB multi-sheet Excel workbook into an online application, such that the user neither needs Excel nor knows if Excel is involved. There are some Excel functions involved. The user merely enters the appropriate data, the calculations take place, and then a variety of printable reports are generated realtime. I want to have some aspects of this available for free, and others with a charge.
I want to have rich formatting, conditional formats, etc. It should have a Web 2.0 look and feel. Users need to be able to save their data and come back later.
This project is to describe the best way to accomplish this goal - necessary resources, constraints, design and programming considerations, etc.
The project should compare having a data input system working with a server based version of Excel, and a complete migration away from Excel altogether.