For many charge point operators, the platform running their network stops being the right fit long before they do anything about it. Support is slow, fault data is patchy or tariffs are hard to change, but switching feels like a bigger risk than staying put.
That concern is understandable. If a move to a new charge point management system (CPMS) meant replacing hardware, the costs would stack up quickly: new chargers, installation, electricians on site and the time spent planning it all around business as usual. Every charger taken out of service means lost charging revenue, frustrated drivers finding bays out of action and a hit to the reliability figures that public operators now have to report. For fleets and depots, downtime can also mean vehicles not being ready for the next shift and schedules having to be reworked.
The good news is that changing CPMS does not usually mean any of this. With the right preparation, operators can migrate their network in phases while keeping charge points operational and drivers charging as normal.
The key is to understand your hardware, data, contracts and integrations before you start.
Common reasons include:
If several of these apply, changing CPMS provider is worth considering.
Usually, yes. Most modern charge points use OCPP, allowing hardware from different manufacturers to connect to different management platforms.
Before migrating, check:
OCPP 1.6 is widely deployed, while OCPP 2.0.1 provides newer capabilities around security, device management and smart charging. Fuuse is certified for both.
What data can you migrate?
Not everything needs to be rebuilt from scratch, but migration planning is important.
Typically, you can transfer or recreate:
Historical data deserves particular attention. If a reporting period spans both platforms, you need a reliable record across the entire period, particularly when calculating network reliability.
Roaming integrations also need to be tested on the new platform before chargers are moved.
How should a CPMS migration be phased?
A controlled migration usually follows six steps:
1. Audit: Catalogue your hardware, OCPP versions, configurations, tariffs, users, roaming and data.
2. Pilot: Move one representative site first and test charging, payment, roaming and reporting.
3. Migrate data: Export, import and verify historical sessions and user information.
4. Test integrations: Confirm roaming and other critical services work correctly.
5. Cut over gradually: Migrate by site or region rather than switching the entire estate at once.
6. Decommission: Keep the old platform available until the new system and reporting are proven.
A mid-sized network with remote configuration can often be migrated in around six to twelve weeks, although estates requiring physical site visits may take longer.
What should you ask your existing CPMS provider?
Check the contract before setting a migration date. Key questions include:
It is much easier to resolve these questions before migration begins.
Fuuse manages migrations in phases, starting with a hardware audit to establish exactly what is involved. That means you know the scope, timings and any hardware questions up front, rather than discovering them halfway through.
Its dual OCPP 1.6 and 2.0.1 certification means operators can bring mixed estates onto one platform and keep using the chargers they already own, avoiding the cost and disruption of replacing hardware that still works.
From the initial audit through pilot testing and phased cutover, Fuuse works alongside operators so chargers stay live, drivers keep charging and your team is not left managing the switch alone.
Considering a CPMS switch? Book a Fuuse demo and find out what your migration would involve.