Software Platforms

Software providers already play a substantial role in distributing financial services. Embedded finance is set to dominate the distribution models of all players in the next decade.

PSE has worked extensively for both PSPs and SaaS players in developing their strategic approach to software distribution. We have carried out extensive primary research into the needs of both software partners and smaller merchants to understand what they really want from financial services. In addition we have developed extensive expertise in the operating models required to deliver differentiating an compliant service levels

Case study 1

SaaS gateway due diligence – Sagepay

Objective:

To support the PE bid team in evaluating the Gateways prospectus and business as well as providing market knowledge input into the initial bid preparation for the sale of the business.

Approach:

PSE carried out a review of the materials made available in the data room and provide structured analysis/ commentary in the following areas:

Product offering – sources of market differentiation and roadmap
Customer management – routes to market, onboarding, management etc.
Commercial and contractual arrangements with customers, and sales/delivery partners
Risk and compliance
Technical architecture and investment plans

We identified opportunities associated with the asset and make recommendations on how these can be exploited. This could include:

Gateway enhancements (omni-channel, software POS)
New service offerings (acquiring, APM collect)
New customer groups (vertical market expansion, new countries, ISV distribution)

PSE also assessed the potential risks faced by the current business, and how these could be mitigated including (but not limited to):

Contractual constraints
Compliance and risk
Competitive differentiation and innovation
Carve out and infrastructure enhancements
We assessed the management team and identify opportunities for extension/improvement . PSE also attended management meetings and provided input to questions and assess answers from these meetings

Result

PSE’s analysis supported the PE firm in progressing to the final round of bids for the asset.

Technology and Operational Delivery

Case study 2

Market place strategy

Objective

PSE supported one of the world’s largest software platforms in developing their strategic approach to marketplaces in Europe.

Approach

PSE developed, based on it’s extensive experience, a strategic hypothesis for the clients approach to marketplaces. This hypothesis was rigorously tested through internal stakeholder engagement, and testing against the clients customer requirements in order to produce a viable strategic approach.

Result

The software client utilised PSE’s marketplace strategy to feed into it’s wider go to market approach and product roadmap development.

How can we help

What our clients say

SME in all payment related space with in depth knowledge

Merchant

PSE Consulting are experts who really understand payments. They get under the skin of issues and provide consultancy that is more relevant and specific to the brief that many other consultants

Global Acquirer

PSE have strong payments experience both regarding product and the market, that is practical as well as good client mgmt skills. It's not a common combination.

Issuer

Professionalism during the project delivery and in-depth understanding of the selected topics, alongside with a flexible approach on topics e.g. change of language, timeline or scope of the project

Processor

Really took time to listen and understand our business to provide tailored and relevant consulting, it felt very bespoke not reliant on generic approach