If you are want to create object from ActiveX controls, then you can use the COM function

http://uk2.php.net/COM

Read the comments on the page, they will give you a lot more information about how to use the COM function effectivly.

If you wish to execute programs then you can use the EXEC function

http://uk2.php.net/EXEC

or you can use passthru()

http://uk2.php.net/manual/en/function.passthru.php

There is more information abotu what they do excalty in the links.

Hoep thats what your looking for.