How Xplor Standardized PCI Compliance Across Its Portfolio and Expanded Merchant Protection at Scale

Client

Xplor Pay

Industry

Payment Service Provider (PSP)

Region

US

Partnership Length

10 years

KEY OUTCOMES

At a Glance

One standardized PCI program across the portfolio

Compliance embedded into the merchant self-service experience

Less manual follow-up and operational complexity for support teams

Improved visibility across merchants, partners, and internal teams

Expanded beyond PCI into broader merchant protection

ABOUT XPLOR PAY

Xplor Pay helps businesses accept payments through integrated, technology-driven solutions that simplify operations and support growth. Serving a diverse portfolio of merchants, software providers, and partners, Xplor focuses on delivering seamless payment experiences backed by trusted service and innovation.

THE CHALLENGE

Merchant Environments Changed. Compliance Had to Change Too.

As merchant environments evolved, compliance became increasingly difficult to manage.

Merchants weren't avoiding PCI compliance; they were struggling to understand it.

Many didn't know:

  • Which SAQ applied to them.

  • Where their responsibilities ended.

  • How integrated payment environments affected compliance requirements.

At the same time, Xplor faced the challenge of supporting thousands of merchants across multiple sales channels and partner relationships.

Traditional PCI management methods, emails, spreadsheets, and manual follow-up, simply don't scale. As the webinar highlighted:

THE SCALING PROBLEM

"What works for 100 merchants breaks at 10,000."

THE SOLUTION

One Standardized Compliance Experience

Rather than managing multiple compliance processes, Xplor implemented a single compliance solution across its portfolio.

Compliance was embedded directly into merchant and partner self-service portals through single sign-on, giving merchants a clearer path to access and complete PCI through the same self-service experience they already use. This creates a more consistent process for merchants, partners, and internal support teams.

THE APPROACH FOCUSED ON:

Consistency

One PCI program across the portfolio, while still supporting different merchant environments and needs.

Automation

Fewer manual reminders, fewer disconnected steps, and less reliance on support teams to chase completion.

Visibility

Centralized compliance data so merchants, partners, and internal teams can better understand status, progress, and next steps.

Guidance

A guided compliance experience that helps merchants understand which requirements apply to their environment and complete PCI with less confusion.

"This is the only solution we implement across our whole portfolio."

— JOHN SHIPLEY, SVP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, XPLOR PAY

THE RESULTS

1. CONSISTENCY AT SCALE

By standardizing on one PCI program, Xplor created a more consistent compliance experience across its merchant portfolio.

Support teams no longer need to manage multiple disconnected PCI processes, reducing operational complexity while making it easier to support merchants and partners at scale.

2. GREATER VISIBILITY ACROSS THE PORTFOLIO

Xplor gained access to centralized compliance metrics for both merchants and partners. That visibility helps teams monitor completion, identify trends, and support merchants without relying on scattered systems, manual tracking, or disconnected reporting.

3. LESS MERCHANT FRICTION

For Xplor, a successful PCI program does not create more noise for merchants, partners, or support teams. It becomes part of the normal operating rhythm.

Through Data Guardian, merchants can access PCI through the same self-service experience they already use, reducing extra steps, disconnected logins, and confusion around where to complete compliance.

"A well-working PCI program is one that we don't hear a lot of noise about."
— Rory Marr, Senior Vendor Relationship Manager, Xplor Pay

4. EXPANDED PROTECTION BEYOND PCI

Xplor's strategy does not stop at annual PCI validation. Through Data Guardian, the company has expanded compliance into a broader merchant protection strategy.

This includes:

PCI Compliance

A centralized program to help merchants complete PCI requirements with less confusion.

Breach Protection

Coverage designed to help reduce financial exposure if a data breach occurs.

Website Regulatory Compliance

Support for website-related requirements, including accessibility, privacy, consent, and evolving regulatory obligations.

Security & Risk Services

Additional protections that help merchants address broader business risks, including endpoint security, script monitoring, identity-related threats, and fraud-related exposure.

As merchant risks continue to evolve, Xplor sees PCI as the foundation...not the finish line.

"Security becomes part of the normal business process rather than a recurring source of friction."

— JOHN SHIPLEY, SVP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, XPLOR PAY

PCI Is the Foundation. Merchant Protection Is the Bigger Picture.

The strongest compliance programs don't stop at annual questionnaires.
They create trust, reduce risk, and help merchants focus on running their businesses.
For Xplor, success means making compliance simple, scalable, and largely invisible, while continuously expanding protection for merchants as threats evolve.

"The strongest programs don't stop at compliance — they protect the merchant relationship."