This thesis explores the integration of telecommunications systems into computer networks to manage complexity and enhance user interfaces for advanced telecommunication services. The author, Chi Chong Wong, proposes a distributed call processing approach where the central office (CO) switch and telephone sets are simplified, and external entities like workstations can interface with the CO through an open architecture. This integration allows for intelligent agents to participate in call processing at the customer's premises, improving user experience. The thesis includes a detailed description of a phoneserver that controls telecommunications services provided by an AT&T ISDN 5ESS switch. An automated call management entity (ACME) is introduced, which interfaces with the phoneserver on behalf of clients. ACME is a rule-based system configured using a graphical user interface called Phoneditor. The thesis discusses the challenges of defining rules to meet personalized user needs and explores the potential of phoneservers and ACME in future advanced telecommunications networks. The background section reviews related research, including projects like Etherphone, MICE, Personal Exchange (PX), and IC-Card Telephone System, highlighting their contributions and limitations. The implementation chapter details the hardware and software architecture, emphasizing the distributed nature of the system. The phoneserver's architecture and communication protocols are described, along with the client software library that facilitates interaction between ACME and the phoneserver. The thesis concludes with a discussion on privacy, security, and the difficulties with ISDN, along with future work plans, including user studies and simulations.This thesis explores the integration of telecommunications systems into computer networks to manage complexity and enhance user interfaces for advanced telecommunication services. The author, Chi Chong Wong, proposes a distributed call processing approach where the central office (CO) switch and telephone sets are simplified, and external entities like workstations can interface with the CO through an open architecture. This integration allows for intelligent agents to participate in call processing at the customer's premises, improving user experience. The thesis includes a detailed description of a phoneserver that controls telecommunications services provided by an AT&T ISDN 5ESS switch. An automated call management entity (ACME) is introduced, which interfaces with the phoneserver on behalf of clients. ACME is a rule-based system configured using a graphical user interface called Phoneditor. The thesis discusses the challenges of defining rules to meet personalized user needs and explores the potential of phoneservers and ACME in future advanced telecommunications networks. The background section reviews related research, including projects like Etherphone, MICE, Personal Exchange (PX), and IC-Card Telephone System, highlighting their contributions and limitations. The implementation chapter details the hardware and software architecture, emphasizing the distributed nature of the system. The phoneserver's architecture and communication protocols are described, along with the client software library that facilitates interaction between ACME and the phoneserver. The thesis concludes with a discussion on privacy, security, and the difficulties with ISDN, along with future work plans, including user studies and simulations.