> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.acelabusa.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Conversations Overview > How to manage architect communications directly from the dashboard ## What is Conversations? The Conversations feature enables direct communication with architects without leaving the Acelab dashboard. Every message thread is tied to a lead, so context stays connected — you can see who the architect is, what project they're working on, and your full communication history in one place. This keeps all your architect interactions organized and ensures your team stays informed. *** ## Before You Begin Conversations are available for leads in the **Recommendation** stage and above, where an architect has initiated or been connected to a direct exchange. Not all leads will have a conversation attached. **Requirements:** * You must be a Manufacturer Rep or Admin * The architect must have initiated contact or been added to your lead record * Your account must have conversation notifications enabled *** ## Accessing Conversations ### From the Main Dashboard 1. Click **Conversations** in the left-side navigation to open the full conversations view 2. You'll see the Conversations overview with all active and archived threads ### From a Lead Record 1. Open any lead in your **Accounts** or **Projects** 2. Scroll to the **Conversations** section 3. Click on any existing conversation or **Start a Conversation** to initiate contact *** ## The Conversations Dashboard The Conversations page shows all architect threads in one place with an overview board displaying conversation counts by status: | **Status** | **What it means** | | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **New Inquiry** | A message has come in that hasn't been opened or acted on yet | | **Processing Inquiry** | Your team is actively handling the conversation | | **Awaiting Reply** | Your team has responded and is waiting to hear back from the architect | | **Completed** | The conversation has been resolved or closed | | **On Hold** | The conversation is paused for future follow-up | ### Conversation List View Below the overview board, each conversation is listed with: * **Architect's name** — Primary contact from the architecture firm * **Architecture Firm name and location** — Firm details * **Project information** — Associated project (if available) * **Assigned contact owner** — Team member responsible for this conversation * **Last Activity date** — When the most recent message was sent * **Unread indicator** — Shows if new messages are waiting Click any row to open the full conversation thread. *** ## Managing Conversations ### Viewing a Conversation Thread Once inside a conversation: 1. **Message History** — See the complete message thread in chronological order 2. **Project Context** — View project details, product specifications, or other relevant information 3. **Team Information** — See all team members assigned to this conversation 4. **Attachments** — Access files shared in the conversation ### Responding to a Message To reply to an architect's message: 1. Scroll to the bottom of the conversation 2. Click in the **Message** field 3. Type your response 4. (Optional) Click the **attachment icon** to add files 5. Click **Send** Your response is sent immediately to the architect through the Acelab platform. ### Adding Team Members Need assistance from a colleague? Add additional team members to a conversation: 1. In the conversation, locate the **People** or **Team Members** section 2. Click **Add a Person** or **Add Team Member** 3. Select one or more reps from your company's team 4. Click **Add** to confirm **What happens next:** * Added team members will see the conversation in their Conversations page * They'll receive a notification about being added * They can immediately send messages and view project details * The original architect will NOT be notified of team member additions ### Changing Conversation Status Move conversations through different status stages as they progress: 1. Look for the **Status** dropdown or button in the conversation 2. Select the appropriate status: * **New Inquiry** — Initial incoming messages * **Processing Inquiry** — Your team is working on it * **Awaiting Reply** — Waiting for architect response * **Completed** — Conversation resolved * **On Hold** — Paused, to follow up later 3. Status changes are tracked in the conversation history ### Muting and Unmuting Conversations If you don't want email notifications for a specific conversation: 1. Find the bell icon in the conversation (usually in the header) 2. Click to mute or unmute 3. Muted conversations still appear in your Conversations list but won't send email alerts *** ## Best Practices **Respond Promptly** — Aim to respond to new inquiries within 24 hours to maintain engagement and show professionalism. * **Add Context** — When responding, refer to specific products or details the architect mentioned * **Involve Your Team Early** — Add team members who can help answer technical questions or provide pricing * **Use Reply by Email** — You can also reply directly from your email inbox without logging in (see [Reply by Email](/partner-help-center/connections/reply-by-email)) * **Keep Conversations Organized** — Regularly update conversation status to reflect progress * **Document Important Details** — Use conversation notes or attachments to capture key requirements * **Personal Touch** — Remember the architect's name and project details when responding *** ## Pro Tips * **Search and Filter** — Use the search bar to find conversations by architect name, firm, or project * **Sort Options** — Sort conversations by last activity, status, or assigned owner * **Keyboard Shortcuts** — Many dashboards support keyboard navigation for faster conversation access * **Email Integration** — Enable email notifications so you don't miss important messages (check your settings) *** ## Next Steps * [Reply by Email](/partner-help-center/connections/reply-by-email) — Learn how to respond directly from your inbox * [Managing Conversation Status](/partner-help-center/connections/managing-conversation-status) — Understand how to track conversation progress * [Best Practices for Architect Communications](/partner-help-center/connections/best-practices) — Tips for effective engagement Don't forget — you can also **reply to messages via email**! Check out [Reply by Email](/partner-help-center/connections/reply-by-email) for more information on responding from your inbox without logging in.