Method to enable instant collaboration via use of pervasive messaging

1. A method to enable instant collaboration between a user of an instant messaging network and a user of a communications network, comprising the steps of:

connecting the instant messaging network and the communications network via a data network;

providing a processor in the data network for:

receiving a text message having a designation for text-to-speech conversion via an instant messaging server of the instant messaging network, wherein the text message is intended for a phone coupled to a voicemail system of the communications network;

recognizing the designation;

converting the text message to a voice message;

calling the phone;

delivering the voice message to the voicemail system;

enabling a scheduled delivery of the voice message to a user of the phone; and

delivering the voice message to the user.

2. A system enabling instant collaboration between a user of an instant messaging network and a user of a communications network, comprising:

a voicemail system incorporated in the communications network;

the instant messaging network coupled to the communications network via a data network, the instant messaging network having an instant messaging server;

a processor in the data network programmed to:

receive a text message having a designation for text-to-speech conversion via the instant messaging server, wherein the text message is intended for a phone coupled to the voicemail system;

recognize the designation;

convert the text message to a voice message;

call the phone;

deliver the voice message to the voicemail system;

enable a scheduled delivery of the voice message to a user of the phone; and

deliver the voice message to the user.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the processor resides within the voicemail system.

4. A machine-readable storage, having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the steps of:

connecting an instant messaging network and a communications network via a data network;

providing a processor in the data network for:

receiving a text message having a designation for text-to-speech conversion via an instant messaging server of the instant messaging network, wherein the text message is intended for a phone coupled to a voicemail system of the communications network;

recognizing the designation;

converting the text message to a voice message;

calling the phone;

delivering the voice message to the voicemail system;

enabling a scheduled delivery of the voice message to a user of the phone; and

delivering the voice message to the user.