Abstract: A system and method for exchanging electronic mail between organizations having dissimilar electronic mail systems is disclosed. The electronic mail sent from the sender organization identifies the recipient organization. The system and method determine the electronic mail format used by the recipient organization from the identity of the recipient organization and convert the electronic mail into the recipient's format. The recipient's format is determined by searching for information regarding the recipient organization in internal and external databases. The electronic mail is converted from the sender's format to a standard format after receipt of the electronic mail by the system. The electronic mail is converted from the standard format to the recipient's format prior to sending the electronic mail to the recipient organization.