You can go with 2 tier architecture that includes a
- Swing client that connects to the
- Database Server
or a 3 tier architecture comprised of
- Database Server
- Web application comprised of
servlets and JSPs hosted
on a webserver (ex
Tomcat). The web application will query the
database
- Browser that becames your GUI
Start designing the database, it will be the same for both
architectures. Then develop the Swing client and then the web application.
You should have them both if possible.