1. A machine-implemented method for creating a target database on a target platform based on a source database on a source platform, comprising the steps of: identifying, within said source database, first information that cannot be used, in its current state, within the target database; determining a first subset of said first information; automatically converting said first subset to first converted information that is in a state that can be used within the target database; converting data files of said source database to produce converted files that can be attached to the target database; and creating said target database, and including in said target database said first converted information, wherein the step of creating the target database includes attaching to said target database said converted files.