I've been charged by my boss to attempt to create some form of database to help us compare our products to other companies...
In essence, I would like to be able to create a solution that will allow for two products to be displayed side-by-side, with a direct comparison of their specs, pros and cons, etc. I would also like to be able to get these values spat out into an Excel spreadsheet, or at least to make them printable.

Just wondering what tools would be most effective (and easy, I guess,) to create something like this?

any SQL database will do.

If this is a web application, any server side code can be used, just depends on what you are familiar with.

If this is a desktop application, any language or development system you are familiar with will do, or the whole thing could be coded in MS Access or similar Desktop DB engine.