Managing Presence in Communications Systems

Generating first and second probabilities of first and second presence variables, wherein the first and second probabilities are based on a historical presence data archive based on presence data obtained before a first time. The first and second probabilities further based on first and second unified presence data, which are based on raw presence data collected at a second time after the first, and first and second user profile rules that identify first and second groups of presence data sources. First presence information is obtained based on the first probability and the first user profile rules. Second presence information is obtained based on the second probability and the second user profile rules. The presence variables are selected from a group consisting of availability, willingness, location and combinations thereof, and wherein the group of presence variables allowable for release are identified by first or second user profile rules.