Options on creating a custom front end to the item master for creating new part numbers

  Due to the issues that arise with using multiple oracle item numbers for the identical supplier part number, we are wanting to create a front end to the item master that would structure the creation process and mandate the search for existing part numbers be done first.  The intentions are to structure the process through programming rather then by process as this has proven to not provide the desired results. 

The search parameters would be based on supplier cross references on existing items, then possibly catalog. The process would need to be flexible to allow for set up of reference items which we do not use catalog or categories.  We want to use the Item Import process to use the same validation that is supported.