The idea behind COM objects is that you can run some processes on a remote computer (server) but govern them from a client. If you understand how SQL Server is working, then you would understand the COM concept. The programming technique is different though. In short, you create COMs. Install them on remote computer (good idea to have it on the same computer with data). Then you send a SQL request to COM and get the result. Just like SQL server. Read as much as you can about VFP and 3-tier architecture. Sorry if I am not clear. Keep asking here.
Mark