With SAMS, you are able to email directly from the record, provided you have a MAPI compliant messaging system (such as Outlook).
Access email through the sub-menu by either:
right-clicking and selecting email OR
hitting F3 - then select E.
You will notice that you can copy the email to other individuals, as well as attach files.
The "update activity field" box in the bottom left corner tells the system to automatically add a notation to the activity field regarding this email. Included is today's date, email sent and the subject.