Empowering EV Charging Through Platform Migration

In a nutshell

An advanced migration to our CPMS system backed by custom development and ongoing maintenance. Migration involved 9000 charging points. A particularly complex aspect was ensuring the integration of the current EMP system, including mobile app users and the OCPI partners already connected.

Additionally, Solidstudio handled the migration of the CPMS system from AWS to Azure, conducted compatibility tests with the OCPI partners involved in the migration and ensured OCPP compatibility with the target charging station models.

Backstory

Before we shook hands, Connected Kerb had already been using a CPMS system from a different provider.

They decided to purchase Solidstudio’s CPO Platform (via licensing model) along with custom development services to adapt the product to their specific needs and to have greater control over changes implementation and faster delivery of new features. In their decision, Connected Kerb also prioritized a smooth migration from the previous system to the new one, with zero downtime for the charging stations.

Another crucial factor, influenced by Connected Kerb’s Microsoft-oriented infrastructure, was the deployment of our solution on the Azure cloud. In order to facilitate the migration from AWS to Azure, a separate work stream was launched.

Challenges

The primary challenge in the project was creating a migration plan that accommodated the client’s existing infrastructure. A particularly complex aspect was ensuring the integration of the current EMP system, including mobile app users and the OCPI partners already connected. Our focus was on optimizing the system to enhance the efficiency of the customer care department. As part of the MVP, we addressed key pain points that had caused frustration for employees working with the previous system.

Another big factor behind the successful collaboration was the great sense of partnership that we have established with the client’s team.

As Solidstudio, we also supported Connected Kerb in various side initiatives, including:

• Supporting the integration of OCPI with CK’s EMP system
• The migration of charging stations to the new system and ongoing monitoring
• Migrating external OCPI connections with EMSP partners

Project phases and deliverables

With Connected Kerb, our primary focus was on the effective planning and execution of the large-scale migration. Simultaneously, we’ve also handled the transition of the CPMS system from AWS to Azure.

• Large-scale (9000 sockets) migration
• CPMS transition from AWS to Azure

In-depth Analysis

Discovery Phase, during which the Tech Lead and Project Manager worked closely with the client to define the scope of changes. This included an in-depth inspection of what are the key differences between the client’s previous CPMS and our solution in order to fill any potential gaps. At this stage, architectural details of the solution were established. These discussions took place in a workshop format, with our team meeting the client’s team in a series of online sessions.

Development process

The client’s roadmap divided the project into three phases for implementing new functionalities, with each phase concluding with the migration of a portion of the charging stations to production.

• Phase 1: Production deployment of the initial additional functionalities, aimed at launching a few selected stations as a pilot rollout in controlled conditions. During this deployment in May 2024, the first four EVSEs were migrated.
• Phase 2: Delivery of most critical functionalities, enabling the migration of additional stations. This phase ended in July 2024, after which a gradual process of migrating more.
• Phase 3: Delivery of the remaining functionalities and completion of the migration.

Ongoing maintenance

Now, since the initial production deployment in May 2024, Solidstudio has provided ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the client’s production environment, in line with the agreed SLA. Additionally, Solidstudio handled the migration of the CPMS system from AWS to Azure, conducted compatibility tests with the OCPI partners involved in the migration and ensured OCPP compatibility with the target charging station models.

Throughout the collaboration, the Solidstudio team fully integrated into the client’s working methods:

• Daily communication was conducted through the client’s Teams platform.
• The project was tracked within the client’s DevOps system.

Outcomes

9000 charge points migrated with zero downtime.

Ongoing maintenance since initial production deployment in May 2024.

Migration of CPMS system from AWS to Azure completed.

Enhancing Migration with Our In-House Tool: OCPP Proxy

During our migration project for Connected Kerb, involving 9,000 charging stations, a key enabler of success was our proprietary OCPP Proxy. This in-house tool allowed for a seamless, phased transition by facilitating dual operation of legacy and new systems, minimizing downtime, and ensuring smooth communication between charging stations and backend platforms. Having such a robust solution internally not only streamlined the migration process but also reinforced our ability to deliver complex projects with confidence and precision.

Learn more about OCPP Proxy

Watch the story