Method for establishing bi-directional messaging communications with wireless devices and with remote locations over a network

A private messaging server configured to facilitate transmitting messages between users, the private messaging server comprising:

• a user database configured to store:
• user information for the users;
• and
• at least one name directory configured by an administrator, the name directory including a list of users permitted to communicate with each other;
• a processor;
• and
• memory having stored thereon instructions which when executed by the processor cause the private messaging server to:
• establish a persistent bidirectional communication session with the users on corresponding devices;
• transmit the name directory to the users when:
• the persistent bidirectional communication session has been established;
• and
• the list of users permitted to communicate with each other has been modified by the administrator;
• receive a message from a first one of the users to transmit to a second one of the users;
• and
• verify that the second one of the users is included in the name directory before transmitting the message;
• wherein the name directory is to be used by the users for selecting one or more recipients from the list when creating the messages;
• wherein messages between the users are transmitted via the private messaging server.