Abstract: In a message communication system having electronic mailboxes, a method for self-cleaning of the electronic mailboxes comprises the steps of: identifying that a message is tagged for expiration; determining if the message has expired; and acting upon the message if said message has expired.

Abstract: A transaction center including a transaction processing platform having an automatic call distribution system for queuing customer transaction requests, for choosing an appropriate service agent according to information gathered about the transaction requests, and for determining when the appropriate service agent is available. Also provided is a transaction request server for receiving and storing the transaction requests. In operation, the message is first received and stored by the transaction request server. Next, the presence of the message is detected and in response thereto a signal is sent to the transaction processing platform. Finally, the message is sent to the appropriate service agent in response to a signal from the transaction processing platform indicating that the appropriate service agent is available to service the transaction request.