A messaging network has a plurality of messaging platforms interconnected through a switched backbone, such as the Internet. A master platform can receive and store status messages destined for a messaging platform that does not have an active connection to the messaging network or is in a non-operational state. In one embodiment, a messaging platform requests information from an information source outside the messaging network. The master platform sends the information request message to the information source and receives a response message therefrom. The response message is sent to the requesting messaging platform. In another embodiment, messages may be transformed into a format specified by the subscriber and delivered thereto.