In one aspect, a message server for processing outgoing and incoming electronic messages is provided. The server includes a receiving facility, a transmission facility, an instruction, a checking facility, and a notification facility. The receiving facility receives the electronic messages, including a first electronic message and a second electronic message. The transmission facility sends the electronic messages including the first electronic message. The instruction is allocated to the first electronic message and includes information for sending a notification message. The checking facility checks the second electronic message to determine if the second electronic message is a reply message to the first electronic message. The notification facility sends the notification message in response to the receipt of the reply message.