Abstract: A message system includes voice or data messages and which allows such messages to be retrieved at the convenience of the recipient. A preferred data messaging system architecture according to the present invention includes a digital signal processor at a communications entry point, an operational API, a number of calling device personality and rules sets, a storage input/output, and voice and data message storage. The digital signal processor determines the type of communications device contacting the system. The operational API interacts with the calling device to a set of operating rules. These rules specify the calling device's abilities to navigate through a messaging path and provide capability which may be required for the calling device type. The calling device personality and rules set modules preferably contain a feature set for the particular type of communication device.