This illustration shows the Oracle database with COM feature in the center with incoming and outgoing connections.

Client PCs make incoming connections through Oracle Net to the database. The diagram shows three Client PCs, but the number is unimportant.

From the Oracle Database, arrrows indicate outgoing connections to the following: Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, and Excel), Any OLE Automation Server, and MAPI Compliant Applications).

The APIs provided by the Oracle COM Automation are used by the Client PCs in connection with the software applications listed.