>>We can start a new thread if you want, but can you explain a bit more about >>what a COM server, what DCOM does and when to use them?

Basically, a COM server is a VFP application compiled as a DLL or EXE using the OLEPublic keyword. It has no UI and it sole purpose is to process remote procedure calls from a client located on the other side of a network connection. DCOM is the protocol use to communicate with the COM server. It will setup a proxy object and allow you to call methods on the COM server just like it was a local object.

A lot has been written about this stuff. Check about WestWind's web site for articles.

Charlie