Access EasyBuild replacement: Planyard vs your options

This page explains what to do if you’re on Access EasyBuild or were considering it. We summarise your options and compare Planyard with Access COINS so you can choose the right fit for your team in the UK and Ireland.

Notice: Access state that “Access EasyBuild ERP is no longer being developed. Instead, we are offering Access Coins ERP for construction businesses.”

On this page

  • Your options after EasyBuild
  • Reviews at a glance
  • Side-by-side: Planyard vs Access COINS (and what to know about EasyBuild)
  • How they handle CVRs, valuations, variations, retentions and reporting
  • Implementation timelines and pricing transparency
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Your options after EasyBuild

  • Move to Access COINS – Access’ recommended successor ERP. See a focused comparison: COINS vs Planyard.
  • Choose a focused stack with Planyard – Keep your ledger (Xero, QuickBooks Online, or Sage Accounting) while Planyard runs commercial control: CVR, forecasting, commitments & POs, subcontractor applications, valuations and retentions.

Both routes work. The difference is rollout speed, user experience, flexibility and cost transparency. The sections below help you decide.

Reviews at a glance

Public ratings from Capterra UK.

Programme Rating Summary
Planyard 4.6 / 5.0 ✔ Frequently praised for ease of use, fast setup, and clean sync with Xero or Sage.
Access EasyBuild 3.0 / 5.0 ✖ Legacy product; Access directs new buyers to COINS.

Quotes used below are taken from public Capterra UK reviews.

Quick summary

  • Planyard. Easy to use, quick to roll out, and transparent per-user pricing with a free trial. Replaces Excel for budgets, commitments, variations, valuations and retentions. Connects to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting.
  • Access COINS. Full ERP for contractors across finance, project and supply chain. Strong once embedded; expect training, configuration and specialist reporting skills. Pricing by quote.
  • EasyBuild. No longer being developed by Access; existing users are typically offered COINS as the path forward.

Side-by-side comparison

Aspect Planyard Access COINS EasyBuild (legacy)
Time to implement ✔ Days to pilot a live job ✖ Weeks to months depending on scope Not marketed for new deployments; Access directs to COINS
Complexity of implementation ✔ Low. Connect accounting and import budgets ✖ Medium to high. Discovery, setup and training Legacy
Training required ✔ Light for QS, PM, commercial and finance ✖ Requires training and experience for best use Legacy
User experience ✔ Intuitive for QS, commercial, PM and FD ✖ Powerful but can feel complex for new users Legacy
Reporting ✔ Real-time CVR and forecasting in app ✖ Flexible reports but often need setup time Legacy
Accounting fit Connects to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting Full ERP including finance; often replaces standalone ledgers ERP with integrated finance (legacy)
Pricing ✔ Public per-user plans and free trial ✖ By quote Legacy
Best for Firms escaping spreadsheets with full commercial control Companies that want end-to-end ERP and are ready to invest in rollout Existing users planning a migration

ERP or focused stack

If you need an ERP that runs finance and operations in one place, Access COINS 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, applications/valuations and retentions. Your ledger remains the system of record for tax and statutory accounts. This keeps each tool focused and reduces change risk.

Why teams pick Planyard

“Easy to use and logical. Real-time overview without the spreadsheet hassle.”

  • Fast rollout. Connect your accounts, import cost codes and a live budget. Pilot on one project in minutes, roll out in weeks.
  • Easy to use. Built for commercial managers and quantity surveyors. POs, commitments, valuations and variations are straightforward with a clear audit trail.
  • Real-time CVR and forecasting. Budgets, cost-to-complete and profit forecasts update as orders, invoices and variations are approved.
  • Works with your ledger. Only approved costs sync to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting so the general ledger stays clean.
  • Transparent pricing. Public per-user plans and a free trial. No hidden setup fees.
  • UK workflows. CIS handled together with your accounting system, plus valuations and retention schedules in one place.

When Access COINS is the right call

  • End-to-end ERP footprint. Finance, commercial, project delivery, procurement, inventory and plant in one system to standardise processes.
  • Group-level controls. Approvals, segregation of duties and audit across multiple companies, currencies and cost structures.
  • Complex supply chain operations. Deep purchasing, stock and framework/vendor management for high-volume, multi-project environments.
  • Enterprise reporting and consolidation. Board-level packs and CVR roll-ups once configured to your standards.
  • Access ecosystem fit. Aligns with other Access Group products if you’re consolidating onto a single vendor stack.

Want a deeper dive? Read COINS vs Planyard.

Planyard and COINS features side-by-side

Feature Planyard COINS (Access)
CVR and real-time forecasting ✔ In-app, updates as costs are approved ✔ ERP reporting; setup and configuration required
Budgets vs actuals (live) ✔ Live view of spend, commitments and EAC ✔ Integrated job costing
Commitments and purchase orders ✔ Raise, approve and sync approved costs ✔ ERP POs with audit and controls
Subcontractor management & applications ✔ Subcontracts, progress claims, portal option ✔ Subcontract module linked to ledgers
Variations and change control ✔ Logged and approved with audit trail ✔ Managed in ERP against contracts
Valuations and certificates ✔ Generate valuations; keeps forecast in sync ✔ ERP valuations integrated with billing
Retentions tracking and release ✔ Retention schedules and status ✔ Retentions within ERP commercial/finance
CIS support (UK) ✔ With accounting integrations ✔ Within ERP financials
Works alongside existing accounting (Xero, QBO, Sage) ✔ Yes; syncs only approved costs ✖ Typically not applicable; ERP includes its own ledger
Full ERP financials ✖ Not an ERP; complements your ledger ✔ General ledger, AP/AR and more

Note: Many ERP buyers adopt COINS’ own ledger rather than Xero/QuickBooks/Sage. If you plan to retain a separate finance system, confirm the integration approach with the vendor.

Implementation timelines

What to expect before you go live.

Product Typical duration Typical steps
Planyard ✔ A few days to a week
  1. Connect accounting and import budgets
  2. Pilot one live project during the first week
  3. Roll out to more jobs once the team is confident
Access COINS ✖ Several weeks to months
  1. Discovery and configuration
  2. Data migration and training
  3. Report and dashboard setup
EasyBuild Legacy Access recommend moving to COINS rather than starting new EasyBuild deployments

Actual timelines vary by scope, data quality and internal capacity.

Who should choose what

  • Choose Planyard if you want quick results, a tool the whole team will use and transparent pricing without a heavy IT project. Run forecasting, subcontractor claims, valuations and retentions in one place while your ledger handles accounts and tax.
  • Choose Access COINS if you want an end-to-end ERP for finance and operations, have time to train users and are ready to invest in configuration and reporting setup.

In one paragraph

If you’re moving on from EasyBuild, Planyard is the easy, quick-to-roll-out choice for full commercial control next to your ledger. Access COINS is a comprehensive ERP that centralises finance and projects but typically needs more time for setup, training and report configuration. The right pick comes down to whether you want an ERP or a focused stack where each tool does what it does best.

Sources and last updated. Access EasyBuild brand page (status), and ratings/quotes from public Capterra UK listings. Last reviewed 30 September 2025.