I need to improve the sql setup at my current location (long term contract)

Currently there are

100+ msde installations  (1 gb average running a retail back end processes)
Backup to disk and tape locally only.
10+ other servers  Running HQ apps including Accouts, Payroll, Credit
Control, Property Management. (same Backup routine)
Other 3rd party SQL databases running one either HQ servers or Msde
instances that I dont know much about yet.
Intranet Running from IIS6 connecion to one of the HQ boxes
DTS Server in the DMZ responsible for communicating/syncronising Batch
processes and shared data  to and from  the Retail Servers.
An Active-Active cluster running  as a central reporting repository (not
wharehouse or analysis Services)
There is a simple UAT environment with another couple of servers.
Development is ongoing Both Front end and SQL development.
Visual Sourcesafe as the code repository for db development has been put in
place already

I need to improve this situation and provide a clear structure to move
forward. We are currently win2003,  SQL 2000, MSDE 2000 and on Microsoft
Select. The general structure for the environment is  HQ : DMZ :
RetailEnvironment (512k Outsourced)

General Direction is:

Sql 2005:
Reporting Services
Analysis Services
Notification and Alerting
Staging Servers
UAT/Testing
Deployment
Resiliance

Any suggestions how / what SQL strategy to put in place here ? Development
to unrealistic timescales in the live environment is the norm here at the
moment.  The good part is the  requirement to change this is understood by
management.

Anyone here been through this and care to share their experiences before I
make the same mistakes ?

Colin Robinson