Pipelines are described in pipeline configuration (.pcf) files. You create and configure these files using either the Active Server Pages (ASP)-based HTML Pipeline Editor or the Win32®-based Pipeline Editor.
The Pipeline Editor displays a tree, outlining the stages implemented by the default OPP, as well as the components that can be used in each stage of processing.
Stages and components are executed by the OPP in the order in which they are included in the tree.
Certain components are said to have an affinity with certain stages. This means that the component can function within that stage. Commerce Server does not enforce this stage/component association. You can include in any stage any component that can sensibly coordinate with other components in that stage.
If you use the Commerce Server Pipeline Editor to display the components that have an affinity with a given stage, you will see the DCOMTransport and Scriptor components listed. These components have an affinity with all stages.