Patent ID: 7321655

Claim:
A method for integrated messaging, comprising: interfacing with a network using an interface module (IM), the network including a database storing a groupware application and a directory service, wherein the directory service stores user information for use in messaging of a first type among client devices coupled to the network; pushing the user information with the IM from the database to a messaging communication server (MCS), wherein the MCS couples to at least one communication network and to the network; caching the pushed user information; providing—messaging of a second type among the client devices, wherein the MCS uses the pushed user information to provide the messaging of a second type; detecting changes to the user information using the IM; and pushing the detected changes to the MCS; wherein the messaging of the second type includes voice mail messaging, and wherein the MCS comprises voice applications; wherein the voice applications perform functions including: maintaining shared address lists that all voice mail users can view and edit; scheduling meetings that include people and conference rooms by viewing associated free or busy schedules; sending a new voice mail; forwarding a received voice mail; exchanging voice mails and corresponding information with the groupware applications; and granting people other than a voice mail user access to user voice mailboxes on behalf of the user.