An automated directory assistance platform architecture is provided for at least partial automatic processing of 411 calls from TDM-based telephone networks and from VoIP networks. The architecture includes three layers. One layer is a telephony network interface that accepts information from both TDM and VoIP based DA networks. The telephony layer sequesters the other two layers from the complexities of interacting with different source networks. Another layer is a VoiceXML-based IVR dialog engine that directs information received from the telephony interface. The third layer is an App Server Layer that processes information received from the dialog engine by retrieving information from an internet-accessible database. Calls that cannot be handled completely by automation are handed off to a live operator working in all IP environment.