A few past clients have used MetaLinks and CandyPress. Now Metalinks was very easy to work with. Not many pages at all and could be skinned into any website layout.

With the database, chances are it will be mysql, MSSQL, or MS Access. The two above will work with MSSQL and MS Access. The clients liked the fact that they could easily download the MS Access database at any point. With mysql, you might only be able to access it via myphpadmin.