Custom Product Type

I need a custom product type that manages inventory but the customer doesn't know about the components making up the product.

Example 1:

I build custom computers. I want to have a product called "awesome desktop 3000".

That desktop will be built with a specific case, motherboard, and processor. This will also have some configurable components.

when you view "awesome desktop 3000" you will see options to choose hard drive, memory, and CD drive.

I want magento to track inventory for all sub components but the customer never sees the motherboard, case, or process individual products... they only see "awesome desktop 3000", and the hard drive, memory, and CD drive.

Summary:

Customer purchases:
1) Awesome desktop 3000
2) Hard drive
3) memory
4) cd drive

Inventory being managed in back end:

1) Computer case
2) mother board
3) processor
4) harddrive
5) memory
4) cd drive

make sense? has anyone seen en existing extension or recommend a custom development house to create this?

I already supported by magento, all of components are child products and you just need to set it as not visible then it should solve your problem perfect :). Ask your developer or just google it then I am sure you found the how to do.

That wont work.

Someone still needs to be able to buy the "hidden" products separately if they want.

This would be the product built from individual products:
Sku: Computer12 Name: Super Computer

SKU Computer12 would consist of the following sub products:
SKU 199 - Black computer case
SKU mb200 - r2d2 mother board

If someone buys SKU "computer12" they shouldnt know that product is built with SKU 199 and SKU mb200. however, other customers should still be able to buy SKU 199 and SKU mb200 individually.

I don't have a separate stock for what I use to build computers and sell individually.

You need to change it preference & select it to hidden. It will solve your problem.

Ugh... I guess there is no answer to the problem.