Remote phone-based access to a universal multimedia mailbox

A system that provides users with the capability to access messages contained in a remote universal multimedia mailbox interfaces with an underlying universal messaging server which provides a repository for voice, fax, e-mail, etc. . . . This interface is accomplished through a standard e-mail protocol used to add voice reply messages from a message generator to the universal mailbox through the universal messaging server as well as through a message management library contained within a mailbox access manager that provides access to message components contained in the universal mailbox. The operation of the present invention is guided by a telephony attendant which interfaces with a telephone. The telephony attendant also controls a media converter which converts media to fax or media to audio and an audio/fax player which interfaces with the telephone or a fax machine.