Abstract: An improved system for managing synchronous messages between messaging parties is disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a centralized synchronous message management system is provided as a subscription service to various clients without the need for installation of additional equipment at the client's location. The synchronous message management system is connected to the various client networks, messaging service servers, and third party messagers through a public network, such as the Internet. According to one embodiment, all incoming and outgoing synchronous messages for a client are directed through the synchronous message management system. By doing this, the messages can be processed in real time by the synchronous message management system. Various policies and filtering algorithms can be applied to these messages by the synchronous message management system.