Software for controlling telephone directory services, namely providing an access gateway to telephone databases on other systems, automated telephone operator assistance platform for obtaining search data, telephone call processing to coordinate digital switching system and other system components, telephone directory management program for managing telephone directory data, system usage program for recording system usage, providing telephone information through use of internet resources, database update program, audio subsystem for providing electronic announcements, database searching system, international gateway for interconnecting external telephone directory assistance systems, listing services inquiry program database and search engine, listing services inquiry program API socket gateway to provide access to listing services inquiry program from external systems, maintenance administration program for maintaining operator statistics, messages, and privileges, telephone number services information program database and search engine, terminal update program for listing services inquiry program database, transport program providing services for client/server message routing and delivery, gateway for mapping addresses and services between telephone data centers and telephone operator centers, listing services inquiry program databases accessible through internet resources, and design, implementation, analysis, management, maintenance, and auditing services related to these systems