Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for initiating conference calls via an instant messaging system to reduce the effort required to initiate and manage the call. The system uses an IM connection between a requesting party and a conference call server to inform the conference call server of the desire to initiate the conference call. The conference call server may initiate the conference call by having involved parties called by a conference bridge, thus reducing the effort required by the parties to join the call.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for initiating conference calls via an instant messaging system to reduce the effort required to initiate and manage the call. The system uses an IM connection between a requesting party and a conference call server to inform the conference call server of the desire to initiate the conference call. The conference call server may initiate the conference call by having involved parties called by a conference bridge, thus reducing the effort required by the parties to join the call.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for using an instant messaging environment to facilitate the establishment of hosted application sharing sessions between a hosted application user and one or more other users in an instant messaging environment. The present invention utilizes a real-time instant messaging system to communicate necessary information between two messaging clients, allowing conditional limitations to be applied to the application sharing process, as well as providing a simplified method to allow shared application users to collaborate in a hosted application session.