A method and apparatus for optimising data transfers between computer systems that eliminate the need for specific Application Programming Interfaces (API's) to be written. Interrogating a local registry to locate databases, returning the list of located databases and generating a list of data containers achieve this thereby greatly reducing system development time and overall code volume. Additionally, as the databases on the remote systems communicate directly, data transfer rates are accelerated. The invention also provides a method for ensuring the legitimacy of data transmission between two or more computer systems by incorporating a file I/O monitor to control access to a local drive during data transmission and to prevent unauthorised access.
