SyncLinx is an application we offer that bridges the gap between Sage 300 Timberline and ExakTime and allows you to import Sage 300 entities into ExakTime to quickly get you started and help limit double-entry.

AccountLinx is the other half of SyncLinx and allows you to export your ExakTime time data into Sage 300. If you would like steps on setting up AccountLinx and exporting your time data into Sage 300, refer to our article that covers connecting the applications and the exporter settings.

If you have any questions or concerns during setup and/or use, you can contact us with the "Request Support" link at the top of the page and we will try to assist as best as possible. Keep in mind, however, that we are not Sage support. We will try to assist you as much as we are able, but there are aspects of Sage that are out of our area of expertise and your questions may be better served by Sage support or your trusted contact to answer/assist.

As Sage allows flexibility to fit various company needs, we cannot take every unique setup into account. It is advised to read through this article before setting up SyncLinx to understand what is needed ahead of time.

Table of Contents

• Setting Up The Sage 300 ODBC Data Source
• Connecting SyncLinx to Sage 300
• SyncLinx Import Settings
• Considerations when Importing Entities from Sage 300
• Importing Entities from Sage 300

Setting Up The Sage 300 ODBC Data Source

For SyncLinx to import information from Sage 300, an ODBC data source must be set up to allow communication to the appropriate company file. To accomplish this, you may need elevated security rights on your computer. If you receive any message that you do not have permission to complete a step, please consult with your IT professional for assistance.

1. Click the Start button on your computer and search for ODBC. One of the options should be "ODBC Data Sources (32-bit)."* Run "ODBC Data Sources (32-bit)."

   * This option will only appear if you are using a 64-bit operating system. If using a 32-bit operating system, you will only have "ODBC Data Sources" instead. Run "ODBC Data Sources"

2. Click the System DSN tab then click Add
3. A small window will appear with a list of possible data sources. Scroll towards the bottom, select Timberline Data then click Finish.
4. In the Data Source Name field, enter a name for the data source such as "ExaktimeTB".
5. Click Options in the lower right.
6. Change Table and Field Naming to Standard Descriptions.
7. Check the Use Maximum Table Segment Table Size box.
8. Click Select Folder... then select the Company File to pull data from and click OK. Then click OK two more times so the ODBC Data Sources window closes.

Connecting SyncLinx to Sage 300

After setting up the ODBC Data Source for Sage 300, SyncLinx will need to be set up to use the ODBC Data Source created in the previous section. You may need to enter your Sage 300 credentials, so please have those ready.

1. Open SyncLinx from the shortcut on your desktop. 
2. After SyncLinx has fully loaded, go to Tools in the top left and click Select Data Source
3. In the following window, search for and check the box for 'Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate [Timberline Office]' then click OK.
   • After a brief delay, there may be an error message pop up telling you to resolve the connection issues. This is expected if you have never connected SyncLinx to Sage 300 before on your computer. Click OK.
4. Go to Tools in the top left and click Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate & Timberline Office Settings
5. A window will open to establish the initial connection to your Sage 300 data and other import options. Click Connection near the top.
6. Another window will appear. Set the DSN to the name of the Sage 300 ODBC Data source we entered in the previous section and the driver to Timberline Data from the drop-down menu.
7. If Sage 300 requires you to sign in, you be prompted to enter your Sage 300 User ID and Password on this screen. Click Save, then click Save again on the Options screen to return to the main menu of SyncLinx.

SyncLinx Import Settings

1. Go to Tools in the top left and click Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate & Timberline Office Settings.
2. The 'Settings' window will offer 3 tabs with settings and options:
   General Cost Code Import Job Import

   The "General" tab offers basic settings for setting up the connection between SyncLinx and Sage 300, how to name locations, set up cost codes per job, and grouping equipment.

   • Connection - Set up your connection with your Sage 300 company file. 
   • Include the ID for locations names - When importing a Sage 300 job into ExakTime, specify if the Sage 300 job ID should also be entered in to the locations name at the beginning or end of the name. This is in addition to using the Sage 300 job ID as the ExakTime Location ID.
   • Import Cost Codes per Job - If enabled, allows you to viewset the ExakTime cost codes to the ExakTime Location to match your Sage 300 cost codes and job relationship.
   • Group Equipment by Equipment Type - If enabled, allows you to create and group up your equipment in ExakTime based on the Equipment Type in Sage 300.

   The 'Cost Code Import' tab will allow you to specify the source of the cost codes that should be available to import from Sage 300:

   • Import Source
     • Both
     • Standard Cost Code
     • Job Cost Code
   • Include Job Cost Code Status - A list of job cost code statuses to import.
   • If Categories Used Include Job Cost Code Accumulation Codes - A list of categories to import.
   • If Standard Cost Codes Used Include Cost Code Accumulation Codes - A list of standard cost codes to import.

   The 'Job Import' tab will allow you to specify if Unstarted, In Progress, and/or Completed jobs should be available to import from Sage 300 and provide the option to import Sage 300 Job Cost Extras as ExakTime Locations.

   • Include Job Status
     • Unstarted
     • In Progress
     • Complete
   • Job Cost Extra
     • Enable to import job cost extras as locations. Location number will be created as: JC JOB.JC Extra
3. Save any changes made.

Considerations when Importing Entities

Before importing entities, refer to the list below as to what we will import from Sage 300 and their ExakTime equivalents.

• Employees - Sage 300 Employees can be imported as ExakTime Employees.
• Locations - Sage 300 Jobs can be imported as ExakTime Locations. 
• Cost Codes - Sage 300 Cost Codes can be imported as ExakTime Cost Codes.

When importing your entities, it is advised to import the information in the following order:

• Employees
• Cost Codes
• Locations

If a Sage 300 Job is using specific cost codes, it is advised to enable the option to 'Import Cost Codes per Job' as noted in the previous section. After a Sage 300 Job is imported into ExakTime Connect as a location, it will compare the cost codes assigned to the Sage 300 Job with the cost codes currently in ExakTime Connect and limit what cost codes are available for the location with a viewset.

Some data for Sage 300 such as 'WC Codes' will be automatically imported in the background when importing any new entity (Employee, Location, cost code), and/or updating an existing entity. While the data will not be used in ExakTime Connect, the data is used by AccountLinx to aid in time data exports for Sage 300. 

Keep in mind that some fields/data from Sage 300 will always be imported when initially importing the entity, such as hourly wages, regardless if the field is not enabled to 'Update' from Synclinx Options. 'Update' from SyncLinx Options may not affect initial imports. This can be important in case some information should not be seen/known. 

Importing Entities from Sage 300

The import process for SyncLinx is standardized for all accounting/payroll applications we integrate with. If you are unfamiliar with using SyncLinx, please refer to the following article.