This page compares Planyard with 4PS Construct (built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central) so you can choose the right fit for your team in the UK and Ireland. We look at scope, user experience, rollout time, UK workflows (valuations, retentions, CIS), reporting, and pricing clarity.
Context: 4PS Construct is a full ERP for construction that unifies finance and operations on Microsoft Dynamics. Planyard focuses on commercial control next to your existing ledger (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage Accounting).
On this page
Public ratings where available.
| Programme | Rating | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Planyard | 4.6/5.0 |  Praised for ease of use, fast setup, and clean sync with Xero/Sage/QuickBooks; clear alternative to spreadsheets. |
| 4PS Construct | 4.3/5.0 | Powerful ERP breadth and Microsoft ecosystem; reviews often note a learning curve and reliance on Power BI/Excel for flexible reporting. |
Summaries reflect public vendor information and third-party review sites.
Here is the short version to help you decide quickly.
| Aspect | Planyard | 4PS Construct |
|---|---|---|
| Time to implement | Days to pilot a live job |
 Weeks to months depending on scope and partner rollout |
| Scope | Budgets, CVR, forecasting, POs, subcontractor & client valuations, retentions, variations |
ERP: finance, job costing, valuations, retentions, procurement/POs, plant, service |
| User experience | Intuitive for QS, commercial, PM and finance |
Powerful but can feel complex for new users; training recommended |
| Reporting | Real-time CVR and profit/cash forecasting in app |
ERP reports; often extended with Power BI or Excel/Jet for custom CVR packs |
| Accounting fit | Syncs approved costs to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting; GL stays clean |
Own ERP ledger (Dynamics 365 BC). Typically replaces Xero/QuickBooks/Sage Accounting |
| Pricing | Public per-user plans and free trial |
By quote; licence + services; partner-led |
| Best for | Firms replacing spreadsheets with full commercial control | Companies that want an end-to-end ERP and are ready to invest in rollout and training |
If you want an ERP that runs finance and operations in one place, 4PS Construct is a strong option. If your finance team prefers a dedicated accounting system such as Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks, then Planyard plus your ledger can deliver the same value or better. Planyard handles commercial control and CVRs; your ledger remains the system of record for tax and statutory accounts. This keeps each tool focused and reduces change risk.
“Live CVR without rebuilding spreadsheets.”
| Feature | Planyard | 4PS Construct |
|---|---|---|
| Budgets vs actuals (live) | Live view of spend, commitments and EAC |
Job costing in ERP; analysis via ERP reports/Power BI |
| CVR and forecasting | Real-time CVR & cash forecasting in app |
CVR/WIP achievable; often built out with Power BI or Excel/Jet |
| Commitments & purchase orders | Raise/approve POs and subcontracts; sync only approved costs |
ERP POs with approvals and audit |
| Subcontractor valuations | Collect and approve valuations; budget updates on approval |
Subcontract applications linked to ERP financials |
| Client valuations/certificates | Generate valuations and certificates; forecast stays in sync |
Progress billing/valuations within ERP |
| Retentions tracking & release | Retention schedules across contracts |
Retentions managed in ERP commercial/finance |
| Variations / change control | Log and approve client/subcontract variations with impact on forecast |
Variation orders tracked against contracts |
| CIS (UK) | With accounting integrations |
CIS within ERP financials |
| Multi-company / multi-currency | Supported |
Enterprise-grade |
| Approvals and audit trail | User-level approvals & logs across budgets, POs, valuations and invoices |
Granular ERP approvals and audit |
| Reporting & dashboards | Built-in project/CVR dashboards |
Standard ERP reports; Power BI widely used for advanced reporting |
| Works alongside existing accounting (Xero, QBO, Sage Accounting) | Yes; syncs only approved costs |
Typically not applicable; ERP includes its own ledger |
| Open API / integrations | API and accounting integrations |
Microsoft ecosystem; integrations via Dynamics/Power Platform |
Note: “Not applicable” for 4PS beside accounting integrations reflects that most buyers use 4PS’s own ERP ledger rather than Xero/QuickBooks/Sage Accounting.
See how they handle forecasting, valuations, retentions, POs and reporting for UK and Ireland teams.
Planyard shows real-time CVR and cash forecasting that update as orders, invoices and variations are approved—no spreadsheet rebuilds.
4PS Construct provides forecasting and WIP within ERP; detailed CVR packs are commonly delivered via Power BI or Excel/Jet.
Planyard lets QS/PMs raise and approve POs and subcontracts in the app; only approved costs sync to Xero, QBO or Sage Accounting so the GL stays clean.
4PS Construct offers deep PO and subcontract control inside ERP with strong audit trails; expect more setup and training to mirror your processes.
No credit card required. No sales or IT support needed.
Planyard collects subcontractor valuations, generates client valuations/certificates and tracks retentions; approvals update the budget and forecast automatically.
4PS Construct handles valuations and retentions inside ERP; expect configuration to match your commercial templates and approval routes.
Planyard logs and approves client/subcontract variations with a clear trail and updates budgets/forecasts automatically so the impact is visible without spreadsheet edits.
4PS Construct manages change orders within ERP and links to cost and billing; teams should expect configuration and training to mirror existing processes.
No credit card required. No sales or IT support needed.
Planyard handles CIS together with your accounting system so deductions and verifications are consistent and auditable.
4PS Construct manages CIS within ERP financials; HMRC verification and subcontractor compliance can be handled inside the ERP.
What to expect before you go live.
| Product | Typical duration | Typical steps |
|---|---|---|
| Planyard | A few days to a week |
|
| 4PS Construct | Several weeks to months |
|
Actual timelines vary by scope, data quality and internal capacity.
Planyard is the easy, quick-to-roll-out choice for full commercial control next to your ledger. 4PS Construct is a comprehensive ERP that centralises finance and projects but typically needs more time for setup, training, and reporting configuration. If you want everything commercial in one place without extra complexity, pick Planyard; if you want a Microsoft-based ERP with end-to-end processes, pick 4PS.
Sources and last updated. 4PS product pages and customer materials; Microsoft Dynamics/Power BI documentation; Capterra listings and public reviews for Planyard; Planyard site (pricing/integrations). Last reviewed 1 October 2025.
We've got your questions covered. If you can't find the answer below, then feel free to contact us via the chat.
Planyard typically pilots in days and rolls out in weeks. 4PS Construct implementations are partner-led and commonly run for several weeks to months depending on scope.
Planyard replaces spreadsheet-based cost control with in-app budgeting, CVR, commitments, variations, valuations and retention schedules. 4PS includes forecasting and reporting in ERP; many teams extend analysis with Power BI or Excel/Jet to mirror their preferred CVR packs.
Planyard has public per-user plans and a free trial. 4PS Construct pricing is by quote and typically includes licences and partner services.
Yes. Planyard sits alongside your ledger and syncs approved costs to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting.
Yes. Planyard supports valuations, retention schedules and CIS workflows together with your accounting system. 4PS Construct supports UK finance, CIS and retention workflows natively within ERP.
Yes. Most teams connect accounting, import a live budget and trial Planyard on one project first to keep risk low and plan a smooth rollout.
No credit card required. No sales or IT support needed.