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# How to Set Up the Inbox in COUNT Practice Manager

The Inbox in COUNT Practice Manager allows your firm to communicate with clients through a shared messaging workspace.

|| Note: Inbox currently supports two-way SMS messaging for firms in New Zealand. Multimedia messaging (MMS) is not currently available in New Zealand. Support for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace email integration is planned for a future release.

Before you can send your first message, your client must have a **Primary Contact** with a valid mobile phone number.

###### Before you begin

Before using the Inbox, you must first create the client in Practice Manager.
Clients can be created as either:
* **Client Portal Only** – Provides access to messaging, tasks, and document sharing without access to the general ledger.
* **Full Accounting Workspace** – Includes all Client Portal features plus access to the client's accounting workspace.
Once the client has been created, you can configure the Inbox.

### Option 1: Add a Primary Contact from the Inbox

1. In **Practice Manager**, select **Comms** and choose **Inbox**.
2. Click **Send New Message**.
3. Select the client.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/c/b/1/4cb158bef87e0400/capture25jpg_15j6xua.jpg)

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/c/b/1/4cb158bef87e0400/capturejpg_1x70slq.jpg)


1. If the selected client does not have a Primary Contact, you can add one by clicking "Add Client Contact"

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/c/b/1/4cb158bef87e0400/untitled-design-8_ntdq06.png =683x305)

2. Enter the following information:
    * First Name
    * Last Name
    * Mobile phone number
3. Click **Save**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/c/b/1/4cb158bef87e0400/image_1dzet31.png =400x341)


The contact will be added as the client's Primary Contact, and you can begin messaging the client.

### Option 2: Add a Primary Contact from the Client profile

You can also add the Primary Contact before using the Inbox.
1. Open **Clients**.
2. Select the client and click Edit Client.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/c/b/1/4cb158bef87e0400/untitled-design-10_1qblxj7.png)


3. Scroll down. Add or update the Primary Contact information, including:
    * Name
    * Email address
    * Mobile phone number
    * Email address (Optional)
4. Save your changes.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/4/c/b/1/4cb158bef87e0400/untitled-design-11_m6w5n2.png =683x494)


Once a Primary Contact has been added, the client is ready to use with the Inbox.

## Next steps
After the client's Primary Contact has been configured, you can start messaging them from the Inbox.
For instructions on sending SMS messages and managing conversations, see [How to Send an SMS from COUNT Practice Manager.](https://support.getcount.com/en/article/how-to-send-an-sms-from-count-practice-manager-1c3b2ki/)