SyncLinx is an application we offer that bridges the gap between Spectrum Dexter & Chaney and ExakTime to help you import Spectrum entities into ExakTime to get you started and limit data entry.

AccountLinx is the other half of SyncLinx and allows you to export your ExakTime time data into Spectrum. If you would like steps on setting up AccountLinx and exporting your time data into Spectrum, 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 Spectrum support. We will try to assist you as much as we are able, but there are aspects of Spectrum that are out of our area of expertise and your questions may be better served by Spectrum support or your trusted contact to answer/assist.

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

Table of Contents

• Connecting SyncLinx to Spectrum
• Import Settings for Spectrum
• Importing Entities from Spectrum

Connecting SyncLinx to Spectrum

1. Open SyncLinx if not already open.
2. Go to Tools at the top and click Select Data Source.... This should open a window with a list of available data source options.
3. Select "Spectrum Dexter & Chaney" and click OK.
4. A warning may appear saying that there is a connection error, this is expected if the SyncLinx connection to Spectrum has not been done on the computer. Click OK on the warning. 
5. A window should open to set up the settings for the Spectrum data importer. Click Connection. 
6. A Connection Setup window should open. In the Connection Setup window, set up/enter the following information for SyncLinx to gain access to Spectrum.
   • If using the Spectrum web version. You will need to request read-only access from your Spectrum contact or create an Infolink user within Spectrum to access the database resource(s).
     • Server - Enter your Spectrum server name. It is generally [company_name].dexterchaney.com or [company_name]-data.dexterchaney.com. The server name may differ if using an Infolink connection. 
     • Database - Enter your Spectrum database name directly. 
     • User - Enter your Spectrum/Infolink username/user ID. 
     • Password - Enter your Spectrum/Infolink password.
   • If hosting Spectrum on your own server/PC.
     • Server - Enter the Spectrum server path.
     • Database - Enter your Spectrum database name directly.
     • User - Enter your Spectrum username/user ID.
     • Password - Enter your Spectrum password.
7. Click Save then click Save again to return to the main page of SyncLinx.
8. Click any of the "Get Employees/Locations/Cost Codes" options at the top of SyncLinx and double-check the entities that are queried. If the entities are not what you expect, then you may be pointing to the incorrect Spectrum database. 

Import Settings for Spectrum

There are several different import settings for SyncLinx that may help tailor the imported data to fit your company's needs in ExakTime.

1. Go to Tools at the top and click Spectrum Dexter & Chaney Software Settings....
2. There are various options available:
   • Import from Company - Select the Spectrum company file that you will import from.
   • Include the ID for Location Names - You can add the location ID before or after the location name in addition to importing the location ID from Spectrum into the location ID field in ExakTime.
   • Field to import for Cost Code - Cost Type, Phase, or Both Cost Type & Phase.
   • Import Phases with Cost Types
   • Import Site Work Orders
   • Curtain Cost Codes per Location - If enabled, will help limit the available cost codes that a location can use when importing your entities.
     • It is generally best to import your cost codes, then the locations as the location will only allow certain cost codes that it can see. If there are no cost codes when locations are imported, it will not be able to specify what cost codes are available for the location.
   • Create Phase dropdown list for AccountLinx
   • Use Employee ID as ExakTime Mobile PIN - Be wary of employees that you are trying to import if they have the same ID as an ExakTime Connect PIN as it can result in import errors as no two employees. 
3. Save your changes when finished.

Importing Entities from Spectrum

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.