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

As COBRA 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 COBRA
• Importer Settings for COBRA
• Importing Entities with SyncLinx

Connecting SyncLinx to COBRA

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 "COBRA Contractors Software" and click OK.
4. A warning may appear saying that there is a connection error. This is expected if the SyncLinx connection to COBRA has not been made on the computer. Click OK on the warning. 
5. A window should open to set up the settings for the COBRA data importer. Click Connection. 
6. A Connection Setup window should open. In the Connection Setup window, set up/enter the following information.
   1. Browser to the Access Database folder.
      • If you are unsure of the location of the Access Database folder, you can right-click the COBRA software icon and click 'Properties' to view the folder location (i.e. C:\Program Files\Cobra)
   2. Click Test Connection.
   3. Enter the Database password. This password differs from the typical COBRA password and may require you to contact your COBRA representative.
   4. Save your connection.
7. You can save your changes until you return to the main page of SyncLinx or adjust any of the other importer settings for COBRA.

Importer Settings for COBRA

SyncLinx offers a few options for COBRA that may help when importing certain entities into ExakTime.

1. Go to Tools at the top and click COBRA Software Settings....
2. The following options will be available:
   • Import Work Orders as Location - If enabled, will import the work orders as locations with the following name and ID format:
     • Location ID - COBRA "Job Number - Work Order Number"
     • Location Name - COBRA "Job Name - WOrk Order Name/Description"
   • Import Phases per Job - If enabled, will set the location viewsets based on the phases and cost codes.
   • Group Locations by COBRA "Job Assigned to" Value - If enabled, will create groups and group up your locations by the "Job Assigned to" value.
   • Import Labor Budgets - This option has been depreciated and can be ignored.
3. Save your changes.

Importing Entities with SyncLinx

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

• Employees
• Cost Codes
• Locations

If the option to "Import Phases per Job" has been enabled, SyncLinx will set the view set for a location to match the cost codes assigned to a job in COBRA. After a job in COBRA is imported into ExakTime Connect as a location, it will compare the cost codes assigned to the job in COBRA with the cost codes currently in ExakTime Connect and limit what cost codes are available for the location with a viewset. Importing the job before the cost codes may result in the job having the incorrect location viewset. 

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.