A CPO platform, also called a charge point management system (CSMS), runs your whole charging network: from talking to chargers, through pricing and payments, to roaming and partner settlements. Switching platforms later is possible but takes time, so it pays to choose well from the start. Here are 10 questions to ask a vendor before you sign.
1. Which protocols does the platform support?
The foundation is OCPP, the protocol chargers use to talk to the platform. Check that it supports both OCPP 1.6 and the newer OCPP 2.0.1. For roaming you need OCPI, ideally versions 2.1.1, 2.2 and 2.2.1, plus a connection to a roaming hub such as Hubject.
2. What is the pricing model?
Some vendors take a percentage of revenue or a fee for every kWh or session. For a small network that is a modest amount, but the commission grows with your sales. A flat subscription makes costs predictable and leaves the whole energy margin with you.
3. Is there a minimum number of stations?
Some platforms only pay off from several dozen charge points. If you are starting with a few chargers, choose a system with no minimums that grows with your network.
4. Can the driver app carry your brand?
A white-label app runs under your name, logo and colours. Drivers build a relationship with your brand, not with your software vendor.
5. How do drivers pay for charging?
A good platform supports several ways to pay: an app with a wallet, QR code payment in the browser, payment terminals and kiosks, and RFID cards. The fewer barriers at the first charge, the more sessions you get.
6. Can you set your own tariffs?
Check that you can charge per kWh, per minute of charging, per start and for idle time, and set dynamic tariffs based on the market energy price. Discounts and promo codes for selected drivers and companies are useful too.
7. Will you get access to your data and an API?
Data about sessions, customers and revenue belongs to you. Ask about a full API, data export and integrations with your accounting system or CRM before you sign.
8. How will you settle with site owners and fleets?
If you install chargers on someone else’s land or serve fleets, you need automatic revenue-share settlements, RFID cards for drivers and energy usage reports.
9. Does the platform help with legal obligations?
In Poland, public chargers must be registered in the EIPA database, and across the EU operators covered by NIS2 must report serious incidents. Built-in registry integration and security tools save a lot of work.
10. How do migration and support work?
Ask how the vendor moves stations from another system, whether migration happens without downtime and how fast technical support responds when a charger stops working.
The Powerize CPO platform
Powerize supports OCPP 1.6 and 2.0.1, OCPI 2.1.1, 2.2 and 2.2.1 roaming and Hubject. It runs on a flat subscription with no transaction fees and no minimum number of stations, with a white-label driver app, EIPA integration, site owner settlements and a fleet dashboard.