What is an OCPP broker – and what are its limitations?

To do justice to the topic, let's first take a brief deep dive into how an OCPP broker works. The OCPP broker plays a central role in a charging infrastructure setup: It acts as an intermediary that forwards messages between charging points and backend systems, for example for control or billing purposes. The OCPP broker is designed to ensure interoperability and flexibility, especially in heterogeneous system landscapes where different backends need to be connected.

The OCPP broker's little brother is the OCPP proxy. It serves as middleware between many charging stations and a single backend if the latter is technically limited. The proxy aggregates the communication of the charging stations, thereby reducing the number of direct backend connections.

Typical functions of an OCPP broker:

• Multi-backend support: Simultaneous integration of multiple backend systems.
• Interoperability: Support for different protocol versions (e.g., OCPP 1.5, 1.6, 2.0.1).
• Routing functions: Control of data traffic between charging points and backends.

But these advantages come at a price. Using a separate OCPP broker means:

• Technical overhead: An additional communication instance leads to increased system complexity.
• No single source of truth: Data is distributed across multiple systems, which makes evaluation and analysis difficult.
• Additional sources of error: The broker itself becomes a potential point of failure in the overall system.
• More administrative effort: Operators not only have to manage their charging infrastructure and the backend, but also the broker itself – maintenance, monitoring, security: everything twice.

In a nutshell

What is OCPP?
The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is a globally used, manufacturer-independent standard for communication between charging points and backend systems. It ensures interoperability and compatibility – regardless of the provider. The current, but still largely unused, version of the protocol is OCPP 2.1, which follows 2.0.1, 1.5, and 1.6.

chargecloud: The better OCPP broker? Everything from a single source!

As we have seen, using a separate OCPP broker presents two major challenges: increased complexity in the overall system and an additional potential source of error in a sensitive environment. Anyone who wants to operate charging infrastructure in a future-proof and efficient manner today needs more than just a technical intermediary – they need a scalable complete solution for the entire spectrum of e-mobility software. The principle is simple: seamless processes without system interruptions. This is exactly where chargecloud comes in: the integrated platform combines all the important functions required for operating and managing charging infrastructure.

At its heart is the Charge Point Management System (CPMS), which combines a full-featured OCPP broker with functions such as monitoring, diagnostics, remote maintenance, automatic firmware updates, and eRoaming. In addition, the OCPP broker works seamlessly with other modules, such as fleet management and partner management. Billing processes – including tariff logic, contract assignment, and validity – are also fully integrated into the platform and comply with calibration requirements.

Operators benefit from a solution that combines technical stability with operational efficiency, minimizes integration efforts, and allows them to scale their charging infrastructure with significantly lower risk.
 
All advantages at a glance:

• Management is simplified. No additional OCPP broker is required.
• The central functions are consolidated in a single platform. Communication, monitoring, billing, roaming, fleet and partner management are seamlessly integrated.
• All common protocols are supported. Charging points can be connected directly via OCPP 1.5, 1.6, or 2.0.1.
• The open architecture ensures flexibility. Operators remain independent in their choice of hardware and partner solutions—additional tested services can be easily integrated via the Marketplace.
• The number of potential sources of error is reduced. Fewer interfaces mean fewer operational risks and greater reliability.
• Compliance with calibration law is guaranteed. Established on the market for almost 10 years.
• The administrative effort is reduced. Operation becomes more efficient and easier to plan.

In a nutshell 

One solution – endless possibilities
chargecloud is much more than an OCPP broker: it is an integrated software ecosystem that has stood for security, scalability, and operational efficiency in e-mobility since 2015.

Scalability meets security: the technical perspective

A powerful charging infrastructure must be able to grow with the business without compromising stability or efficiency. The cloud-based architecture of chargecloud is designed to reliably support the operation of charging points in networks of all sizes.

Whether you have ten charging points or several thousand, performance remains stable because there are no additional communication layers to slow down the data flow. By eliminating external brokers, latency is significantly reduced and system stability is increased. 

Technical advantages at a glance:

• Scalable architecture: Stable from a single point to a large European charging park.
• Direct communication: No intermediaries – low latency, fewer failures.
• Flexible integration: WLAN, LAN, and M2M with secure, robust SIM cards.
• Future-proof SIM integration: Multi-provider setup planned.
• Secure hosting: GDPR-compliant & certified – no extra security measures required.
• Load management ready: e.g. with RiDERGY – dynamic & centrally controllable.
• Predictive maintenance: Early warning system through partners such as Evailable.

In a nutshell 

Cloud-based systems – a technical advantage
chargecloud reduces operating costs and system complexity by providing a scalable SaaS platform that performs reliably in a wide range of application scenarios. From small CPOs to full-service providers operating across Europe – without any external communication layers.

When does an external OCPP broker make sense – and when does it not?

The use of an OCPP broker can be a sensible option in certain situations – for example, if IT structures that have grown over time already include several backend systems or if different providers are being tested in parallel. In the long term, however, this model has structural disadvantages. Each additional layer in the system increases complexity, susceptibility to errors, and the need for coordination – both technically and organizationally.

The weaknesses become particularly apparent when scaling: Different system components must be coordinated and maintained, which can lead to greater effort and increased dependence on other service providers. In addition, the consistent mapping of different processes – such as billing or technical control – is made more difficult when these are distributed across multiple systems.

Integrated solutions such as chargecloud avoid precisely these disruptions.

They offer a coordinated data and control basis that bundles all central functions – from communication between the charging infrastructure and operating system (OCPP broker) to billing, analysis, and control. For operators who want to scale efficiently and rely on stable structures, a fully integrated architecture is therefore the more sustainable choice in many cases.

In a nutshell  

Integrated instead of complex
An external OCPP broker is particularly suitable as a temporary solution for complex, established system structures. Anyone who wants to operate charging infrastructure efficiently, economically, and sustainably should opt for a complete solution with an integrated OCPP broker, such as chargecloud.