System Object Model was intended to be used as a solution to many of the interoperability and reuse problems that occur while sharing class libraries between object-oriented and non-object-oriented languages. SOM was designed to be used across IBM’s mainframe computers and desktops. It serves as an object-oriented model that can be distinguished from other models contained in object-oriented programming languages. SOM basically includes an interface definition language, a runtime environment with procedure calls and a set of enabling frameworks.

SOM was originally a technology developed for IBM's range of computers and desktops, but eventually came to be used by other companies, which extended its benefits to different software environments.

Some of the important characteristics of SOM include:

• SOM allows for the creation of portable shrink-wrapped libraries.
• The class libraries can be created in a particular language, which can be accessed and used by other languages.
• New methods can be added to existing methods without requiring the recompilation of the application.
• SOM works with procedural programming languages.
• SOM provides an object model for non-object-oriented languages.
• SOM allows for the addition of new classes to the inheritance hierarchy without having to recompile the application.