Question on migrating from phpbb2

I confess i've not really looked into this.. hell, I confess that I don't know the first thing about installing a forum (I usually go by google for anything i need) but, I have a problem.
My friend's server was hacked a few days back because of a dozen antiquated phpbb installs that he had over some virtual hosts.
He'd tried to upgrade them frequently for his users, but; it was simply too time consuming. He's tried to bring up an answer using phpbb, but curses it's name. I've heard via a few forum searches that there is an unofficial migration tool, and really like what I see. Frustrated, he's given me access to try and fix things for him.
He has 15 separate boards across virtual hosts, with their own databases, themes, etc, apache2, etc etc , debian sarge. Details don't seem so important, since it's a fresh system, i see no reason why stuff can't be changed.
what he's looking for, is a way to give each user/virtual host their own pseudo-install, with their own themes /db /config, from one source installation, to make life easy as it has been so far for users, and to make upgrading for exploits/bugfixes an actually manageable task?

I'm not looking for any sort of walktrhough, but before I invest time in this dream secnario; is it actualy attainable, here or anywhere?
Thanks,
rreK