CPOs, EMSPs and EVSPs face a daunting double challenge: how to choose a future-proof EV charging management platform, and whether to buy or build this business-critical software stack.
Choices, Choices, Choices
Choosing a future-proof EV Charging Management platform does not involve crystal balls or tarot cards. Rather, anticipating and preparing for future challenges is a practical concern. Despite uncertainty introduced by changes in technology, evolving user needs, and dynamic market trends, considered decision-making and following best practices can ensure the longevity and flexibility of the platform you choose.
Buying vs. building this platform involves so much more than mere economics. It is a strategic decision that impacts the viability of a company’s EV charging business.
What is a Future-Proof EV Charging Platform?
Attributes of a future-proof EV charging management platform span the gamut of software architecture, supported technologies and operational excellence:
- Modular and Scalable architecture allows addition, removal and upgrade of individual components, without affecting an entire system. Modularity facilitates scaling a platform to accommodate evolving needs and increasing workloads and traffic.
- APIs for Customization enable decoupling different parts of a charging management system. APIs and microservices streamline integration with third-party services and let CPOs integrate differentiating apps and portals for greater competitiveness.
- Standards-based Implementation ensures compatibility across systems and ecosystem technologies. Following standards helps avoid vendor lock-in, reduces risk of obsolescence and embraces changes in technology over time.
- Data Security and Privacy requirements are foremost in the minds of enterprise customers. Mitigating security risks and meeting privacy requirements are also hallmarks of a future-proof platform.
- Support and Maintenance are essential; platforms are not static entities. Vendors must provide regular updates and software maintenance to keep the platform secure, stable, and up-to-date.
- Monitoring and Analytics help network operators understand real-world performance and usage. A future-proof platform integrates these capabilities to provide insight into charging behavior, help identify areas for improvement, etc.
By incorporating these sensibilities into the design and commercialization of an EV charging management platform, a vendor can offer a future-proof platform and ensure its longevity and relevance in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Buy vs. Build or Both?
The first and most important step in future-proofing for CPOs, EMSPs and EVSPs is having a platform acquisition strategy. This strategy, while anticipating future needs, must also accommodate past investments and current requirements.
The core of an acquisition strategy lies in whether to
- Buy a commercial off-the-shelf platform, to supplement or replace legacy technology
- Build a new platform and/or build out capabilities of existing in-house software infrastructure and applications
- Follow a hybrid strategy of acquiring a best-in-class commercial open system enriched with custom-built enhancements and API-based external functionality.
Buying and Building each offer unique advantages (see table above), but neither by itself constitutes a definitively superior strategy.
The Best of Both Approaches
The Driivz platform offers a complete end-to-end EV charging and energy management solution. It is also modular, customizable, and easy to integrate development of customer-specific features to achieve corporate objectives. As an open system, any of the Driivz platform modules can be enriched with custom-built enhancements and API-based external functionality.
A hybrid approach is forward-looking, in that it lets CPOs, EMSPs and EVSPs “buy some, develop some, and expand over time.” By addressing current charging network business and technical needs, and accommodating future requirements, it offers a range of benefits:
● Reduced TCO
● Accelerated time to market
● Competitive advantage from a long-term vision
● Minimized vendor lock-in
● Ability to meet unique customer requirements
● Ability to achieve economies of scale
● Exceptional EV charging experiences
Acquiring EV Charging Network Management Technology
To be future-proof themselves, charging network operators and other EV charging providers must make informed decisions about EV charging and energy management software to scale and evolve with the market. Organizations must consider both their in-house expertise and business goals to decide on the best approach for acquiring, customizing and integrating a platform that provides the foundation for success.
This foundation rests of multiple “pillars”:
- Operational excellence that provides 24/7 availability of the charger network and a seamless charging experience to drivers.
- Commercial flexibility to support a wide variety of business models that meet the needs of the EV charging marketplace.
- Technological leadership to accompany the changing technology of a dynamic industry.
White Paper
Driivz offers a new whitepaper with guidance and insights into acquiring a future-proof EV charging management platform and resolving the build vs. buy dilemma.
Download the whitepaper here.
