Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communication

An electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch, comprising:

• a first host computer in communication with said telecommunications switch, said first host computer adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages with voice mail or fax mail attachments;
• a second host computer in communication with said electronic mail messaging system, said second host computer adapted to receive said electronic mail messages with said attachments from said first host computer;
• an electronic mail distributor for distributing said electronic mail messages with said attachments to a plurality of electronic mailboxes;
• and
• a graphical user interface for use by recipients of said electronic mail messages, said graphical user interface adapted for communication with said electronic mailboxes and comprising an audio player for playing said voice mail attachments and a fax viewer for displaying said fax mail attachments.

A method for forwarding electronic mail messages to a telecommunications switch comprising the steps of:

• (a) accepting an electronic mail message in accordance with a first format from an electronic messaging system;
• (b) locating a profile associated with a recipient of said electronic mail message, said profile including forwarding instructions;
• (c) altering routine information for said electronic mail message in accordance with said forwarding instructions for routing to an electronic mailbox in association with said telecommunications switch;
• and
• (d) forwarding said altered electronic mail message to said telecommunications switch.