CCM is a multi-language, multi-platform component standard from OMG, which represents a major extension for enterprise computing. CCM is the framework for supporting the component definition, code generation, packaging, assembly and deployment of all types of software components. Now, it will be possible to generate most of a server, within CCM framework, into which a developer can "drop" his business logic or component.

It is interesting to note that CCM is a technical improvement on EJB. In fact, CCM joins together the best of .NET and J2EE component models. The .NET is multi-language, single-platform, while J2EE is single-language and multi-platform.

CCM adds first class component model to CORBA2.x object model. Moreover, CCM adds a sophisticated runtime environment for software components (C++, Java) and fully standardized support for assembly and deployment. An application server based on CCM such as K2 Component Server provides a uniform component environment. This is a difference to a pure CORBA application, where the ORB exists only virtually as part of two or more CORBA enabled applications.

The table below summarizes the new features in CORBA 3.0 CCM:

#	Key Features	CORBA 2.x	CORBA 3.0 CCM
New Features
1	Component Model (CCM)
2	OMG CIDL
3	Component Implementation Framework
4	Container Programming Model
5	Packaging
6	Assembly
7	Deployment
8	Interface Repository Metamodel
9	CCM - EJB Interworking
Enhancements in CORBA 3.0 CORBA Component Model (CCM)
10	OMG IDL	Object IDL	Component IDL: with new keywords such as "component", "supports", "uses", "consumes" etc have been added
11	Interface Repository	Object Interface Repository	Essential "Component Interface Repository Interfaces" have been added for managing state-of-the-art components

The component categories are defined as valid combination of external API types, container type and CCM usage model and can be summarized as follows: