The present invention comprises a computerized system and method for searching
heterogeneous electronic directories. An embodiment of the system includes a database,
containing data necessary to perform a search, a user interface, and a component
for performing the searches. Embodiments of the system provide a user with the
ability to search directories in multiple locations and in multiple formats, both
standard and non-standard, for contacts and to display the results of the search
in one unified list. A system administrator or a user determines which directories
the system searches and in what order the system performs the search.