SyncLinx is an application we offer that bridges the gap between ComputerEase and ExakTime by allowing you to import ComputerEase 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 ComputerEase. If you would like steps on setting up AccountLinx and exporting your time data for ComputerEase, 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 ComputerEase support. We will try to assist you as much as we are able, but there are aspects of ComputerEase that are out of our area of expertise and your questions may be better served by ComputerEase support or your trusted contact to answer/assist.

As ComputerEase 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

• Special Considerations
  • For Cloud/Remote Desktop Installation
  • For Cost Codes
• Setting Up SyncLinx and ComputerEase
  • Installing ComputerEase ODBC Drivers
  • Set Up ODBC Data Source
  • Connect SyncLinx to ComputerEase ODBC Data Source
• Importer Settings for ComputerEase
• Using SyncLinx to Import Entities

Special Considerations

For Cloud/Remote Desktop Installation

If your company has opted to use a cloud hosting platform for ComputerEase, such as Citrix, some items must be done to ensure a smooth experience between SyncLinx/AccountLinx and ComputerEase.

1. AccountLinx, SyncLinx, and ExakTime Utilities must be installed on the hosting platform and be made available to the appropriate users.
2. Users must have 'Administrator-level access to set up the connection in ExakTime Utilities.
3. ComputerEase DSN and Driver must be accessible in the remote environment.
4. ComputerEase Support may be needed for the initial setup as it can take some time to install, be made available for the user, and set up.

For Cost Codes

ExakTime "Cost Code" vs. ComputerEase "Cost Code"

It is also important to be aware that the term "Cost Code" differs between ComputerEase and ExakTime. ExakTime uses the term "Cost Code" for activities (what the employee is doing) while ComputerEase uses the term "Cost Code" as a combination of the ComputerEase job, phase, and category IDs.

Phases and Category Codes for Jobs

As ComputerEase setups for phases and categories can differ, it may be helpful to read the below information to see if it applies to your company as it can affect on you utilize phases and categories in AccountLinx and how they are set up in ComputerEase.

The ideal setup for your jobs in ComputerEase for AccountLinx exports is to have consistent phase and category IDs between them. If the phase and category IDs differ between jobs, it can result in additional data clean-up or additional entities to accommodate these combinations.

In the example below, we have an ideal setup where the phase and category codes are consistent for all jobs with little room for misinterpretation. The unideal setup has different phase and category codes between the two jobs, resulting in unique phase/category code combinations. 

If the phases and category codes differ between your jobs in ComputerEase, you will need to either:

• Make the phase and category codes consistent for all jobs in ComputerEase.
• Add additional locations/cost codes in ExakTime to account for all the possible job, phase, and category combinations in ComputerEase.

Consistent phases and categories may require adjustment of existing practices in ComputerEase if not already being done, but it requires the least work moving forward by having a consistent set of phases and category codes across all jobs.

Having inconsistent phases and categories would not require any changes to ComputerEase, but could lead to employee error in ExakTime with numerous duplicate/similar cost codes to accommodate. For example, you have two different cost codes for Travel in ExakTime because one has a category code of 7 while another has a category code of 3.

Connecting SyncLinx to ComputerEase

While SyncLinx is able to connect to ComputerEase, some setup will depend on how your current ComputerEase is set up, as having multiple company files and/or company files stored on networked computers can add some complexity.

If you are unfamiliar with setting up ComputerEase and/or setting up & installing applications, then you may need to consult your IT professional for assistance as some steps require additional computer permissions that regular users may not have.

If you encounter any errors for any of the steps below, please note the error you received, and at what point you received the error, and take a screenshot of the error if possible so we can better assist you.

Install ComputerEase ODBC Drivers

The first step will be to install the ComputerEase ODBC drivers on your computer(s) for third-party applications, such as SyncLinx, to connect to your ComputerEase company file(s).

The required ComputerEase ODBC drivers are installed with the setup.exe file generally found in your ComputerEase installation under \ComputerEase\Accounting\odbc.

When running setup.exe, you will be presented with three options:

• Install standard ODBC driver and configure data sources
• Install client ODBC driver
• Uninstall ODBC driver

Use "Install standard ODBC driver and configure data sources" as it is the most commonly used option.

Set Up ODBC Data Source

After installing the ODBC drivers, you must set up the ODBC connection with the Windows "ODBC Data Sources" application to create the connection that SyncLinx will use for ComputerEase.

1. On your computer with SyncLinx, ComputerEase, and the ODBC drivers installed, navigate to C:\Windows\SysWOW64 and run odbcad32.exe. or search for "ODBC Data Sources (32-bit)" in the Start menu.
2. Click the System DSN tab and click Add.
3. A window to select the ComputerEase driver should open. Select the "ComputerEase" driver and click Finish.
4. A window labeled "Setup" should open to set up your ODBC connection. In the "Setup" window, fill out the provided fields:
   • Data Source - Enter the name for the ODBC connection, such as "ExakCE" or "ComputerEase". There cannot be a space at the end of the data source name.
   • Directory - Type/enter the folder path for your ComputerEase company file.
     • It is generally located in C:\ComputerEase\Accounting\data\ if stored locally and is in a folder generally labeled "s101", "s102", "s103" and so forth.
     • If stored on the network, it may be \\servername\ComputerEase\Accounting\Data.
     • When entering the folder path, it would be entered as C:\ComputerEase\Accounting\data\s101 for example.
     • If you have multiple company files, you may need to test multiple folders to find the appropriate one. 
5. If you are trying to connect to multiple company files, you may need to go back to Step 2 and add additional ODBC connections with different and recognizable names.

Connect SyncLinx to ComputerEase ODBC Data Source

Now that the ComputerEase ODBC drivers have been installed and the ODBC data source has been set up, you must set up SyncLinx to use the ODBC data source.

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 "ComputerEase" and click OK.
4. A warning may appear saying that there is a connection error, this is expected if the SyncLinx connection to ComputerEase has not been done on the computer. Click OK on the warning. 
5. A window should open to set up the settings for the ComputerEase data importer. Click Connection. 
6. A Connection Setup window should open. In the Connection Setup window, set up/enter the following information.
   • DSN - Select the data source name added in the previous section from the dropdown menu.
   • Driver - Select the "ComputerEase" driver from the dropdown menu.
   • User - Enter your ComputerEase username/user ID.
   • Password - Enter your ComputerEase 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 listed. If the entities are not what you expect, the ODBC data source set up in the previous section may be pointing to the incorrect company file. Close SyncLinx and change the directory to the appropriate company file, reopen SyncLinx, and try to get employees again (i.e. if the company file folder attempted was s101, try s102).

Importer Settings for ComputerEase

There are two different SyncLinx settings that may help when importing certain entities into ExakTime.

1. Go to Tools at the top and click ComputerEase Settings....
2. There are two options available:
   • 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 ComputerEase into the location ID field in ExakTime.
   • Import 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.
3. Save your changes.

Importing Entities with SyncLinx

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.