As an alternative to using SQL Server Enterprise Manager, you can use SQL-DMO to install and maintain replication. One advantage of using SQL-DMO is that more replication features are available.
Another advantage of SQL-DMO is that you can create custom applications, using Microsoft® Visual Basic® or C++, that allow you to configure or maintain a specific replication topology.
Microsoft SQL Server™ also includes the Replication Distribution interface and Microsoft ActiveX® replication controls. The Replication Distribution interface provides the capability to replicate data from heterogeneous data sources such as Microsoft Access or Oracle. ActiveX replication controls provide a means of controlling Merge Agent and Distribution Agent activity programmatically at a Subscriber that has a pull subscription.
| Getting Started with Replication Programming |