# Communication channels
Nexthink Communication channels enable IT teams to automate communication with employees through the Microsoft Teams application.
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Depending on your current licensing model, this capability may require an additional license. Contact your Nexthink representative for more information
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### Communication channel for Spark
Configure a communication channel to allow access to the Spark application in Microsoft Teams. This enables employees to resolve issues through an AI-driven IT agent that leverages device context and Nexthink DEX data. Spark can execute IT-approved diagnostic and remediation actions when applicable.
Refer to the [Setting up and managing Spark](/platform/user-guide/spark/setting-up-and-managing-spark.md) documentation for more information on Spark configuration.
Log in to Nexthink Community to read more about [Spark Teams app security and architecture.](https://docs.nexthink.com/security/product-security/spark-teams-app-security)
### Communication channel for Workflows
Configure a communication channel to send notifications and ask questions to employees within workflows. This enables:
* **Non-disruptive, asynchronous communication**: Employees can respond when it suits them.
* **User-friendly**: Uses Microsoft Teams, a familiar and widely adopted platform.
* **Single channel**: Provides a centralized history for tracking and reference.
This capability complements existing campaign mechanisms:
* **Collaboration tool messages**: Best for non-urgent information or self-help workflow questions.
* **Campaigns**: Ideal for critical communications, surveys or urgent remediations.
Refer to the[ Message thinklet](/platform/user-guide/workflows/creating-workflows/configuring-thinklets.md) documentation for more information.
## Prerequisites
To enable a communication channel via the Nexthink Microsoft Teams application, ensure you:
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**Collect User Principal Name (UPN)**
* Use the Collector Option to gather the UPN for each user in clear text. Refer to the [Configuring Collector level anonymization ](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/getting-started/nexthink-collector/collector-overview/configuring-collector-level-anonymization)documentation for more information.
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**Configure Entra ID connector**
* Obtain your Microsoft Entra tenant ID, which is required for configuring the application in Nexthink. Refer to the[ Microsoft Documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/fundamentals/how-to-find-tenant) to learn more about how to find your Microsoft Entra tenant ID.
* Configure the Microsoft Entra ID inbound connector for your Microsoft tenant. Refer to [Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) connector](/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/integrating-nexthink-with-third-party-tools/inbound-connectors/connector-for-microsoft-entra-id-azure-ad.md) for more information.
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**Verify permissions**
* Ensure you have the necessary permissions to install custom applications in your Microsoft Teams environment. Refer to the [Microsoft Documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-custom-app-policies-and-settings) to learn more.
* Liaise with your Microsoft Teams Administrator to verify the installation process for custom applications in your organization.
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## Accessing Communication channels
1. Select the **Administration** module from the main menu.
2. Select **Communication channels** under the **Integrations** section.
## Managing Communication channels
The table on the Communication Channels page contains the following fields:
* **Name:** Name of communication channel
* **Channel:** Type of communication channel
Hover over the communication channel to reveal icons on the right side of the selected item:
* Click **Edit** to open the configuration page.
* Click **Delete** to delete the communication channel.
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If you delete the communication channel, employees will no longer be able to use the Nexthink Teams application. In this case, you must uninstall the application from all employee devices in your organization.
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## Creating a new communication channel
To configure the communication channel:
1. Go to **Administration > Communication Channels**.
2. Click **New channel configuration** in the top-right corner of the **Communication Channels** administration page.
1. Enter the configuration details in the input fields:
* **Name**: Assign a unique name to the communication channel.
* **Entra ID**: Select the Microsoft Entra ID connector for this configuration.
* **Tenant of the selected Entra ID**: The system displays the Tenant ID associated with the selected Microsoft Entra ID connector.
* **Welcome Message**: Write the message users see each time they install the application.
2. **Save** to create the new communication channel. Once saved, install the [custom application package](#installing-application).
{% hint style="info" %}
A single Microsoft **Tenant ID** can only be associated with one Nexthink tenant, meaning:
* Multiple Nexthink tenants—e.g., development and production—require separate Microsoft Tenant IDs to configure communication channels successfully.
* A single Nexthink tenant can include users from different Microsoft Tenant IDs under multiple communication-channel configurations. In these cases, the system automatically selects the correct channel based on each user’s UPN.
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## Installing application
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To ensure proper user mapping between Microsoft Teams and your Nexthink tenant, [set up a new communication channel](#creating-a-new-communication-channel) in Nexthink before installing the related application package.
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Once you have configured a new communication channel, install the custom application package for your organization's Microsoft Teams application:
1. Log in to Nexthink Community to download the custom Nexthink application package from [Nexthink Infinity Release notes > Downloads](https://edocs.nexthink.com/nexthink-infinity/infinity-release-notes#nexthink-microsoft-teams-app).
* Pick either the Nexthink Microsoft Teams App for Spark or for Workflows, depending on your use case.
* Do not extract the `.zip` file; keep it compressed.
2. Install the Nexthink application package as a `.zip` file manually in your organization’s Microsoft Teams environment. Once all steps are completed, depending on your use case, you can:
* Use Microsoft Teams in your [message thinklets](/platform/user-guide/workflows/creating-workflows/configuring-thinklets/message-thinklet.md) to contact employees as part of an automation flow.
* Allow employees to [use Spark in Microsoft Teams](/platform/user-guide/spark/getting-started-with-spark.md) to resolve IT incidents.
Refer to the[ Microsoft Manage custom apps](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-custom-app-policies-and-settings) documentation for more information.
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