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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 the United States and New Zealand. Multimedia messaging (MMS) is currently available in the United States only. 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/)