Creating an application using python

i want to build an application for my business that does simple tasks like keeping customer details and stock levels etc.

mostly im doing it as a project to learn more about user interfaces and the python language in general.

i have a linux server running at a data center up the road from me that has a super fast internet connection.

i dont want the application to to be stand alone.

i want the project to be worth while and spend time learning skills that will benefit me for future projects/job application.

should i make it web based? displayed in a browser or a UI that connects over the net to a server (i know either can be done, but i want to go with what is mostly being implemented today) A friend of mine told me that back end is dying and that front end application is where its all going...so i dont even know if python is suitable for this type of application implementation.

any advice or help appreciated...

thanks for reading