I think this is one of those times when you "gotta do what ya gotta do", in that if you have to make the rent based on the results of the project you describe, you should probably make sure your working on other projects as well.

Calling any tool that functions a toy is a bit harsh. The java developers I work with call Perl a "toy", and in relative terms from their point of view, they are right. But ask them to write java code that does what my Perl code does and they suddenly have other things to do.

I have used web admin tools in commercial situations and have had good results. Tools like that buy you the time to do things right(or at least better). Getting things "right" is an iterative process, and unending because needs are dynamic. I would say, get 'em up and running if you care enough to do so, with whatever tools get them there quickly and without doing damage to your chances of making things better later.

Principles are great if you can afford them...