{"id":1994,"date":"2026-04-27T14:41:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/certipower.be\/kennisbank\/ocpp-and-interoperability-why-brand-independence-matters\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T21:16:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T19:16:38","slug":"ocpp-and-interoperability-why-brand-independence-matters","status":"publish","type":"kennisbank","link":"https:\/\/certipower.be\/en\/kennisbank\/ocpp-and-interoperability-why-brand-independence-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"OCPP and interoperability: why brand independence matters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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OCPP, short for Open Charge Point Protocol, is the open standard chargers use to communicate with a management platform. It sounds like a technical detail, but it determines whether you can still choose freely in 5 years.<\/p>\n

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With OCPP<\/span>Free choice<\/strong>Can be connected to any management platform that supports the same protocol.<\/span>Future-proof<\/span><\/div>\n
Without OCPP<\/span>Vendor lock-in<\/strong>Locked to one specific platform.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What exactly is OCPP?<\/h2>\n

A protocol managed by the Open Charge Alliance. Versions 1.6 and 2.0.1 are the most common. A charger that speaks OCPP can in principle be connected to any management platform that supports the same protocol. A charger that only speaks its own closed protocol cannot.<\/p>\n

What is the commercial impact?<\/h2>\n
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01<\/div>\n
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Switching management platform<\/h3>\n

With OCPP chargers, it is a matter of hours and a new configuration.<\/p>\n

Key takeaway:<\/strong> with chargers locked to one platform, you pay for replacement: \u20ac1,500 to \u20ac3,500 per charger.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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02<\/div>\n
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Mixing brands on one site<\/h3>\n

For example Alpitronic for the DC fast charger, Alfen or Zaptec for AC in the car park and Smappee at the employee\u2019s home. With OCPP, you manage all of it on one platform.<\/p>\n

Key takeaway:<\/strong> without OCPP, you have at least three separate platforms and billing flows.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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03<\/div>\n
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Resale or relocation<\/h3>\n

A building with OCPP chargers retains value when sold.<\/p>\n

Key takeaway:<\/strong> closed infrastructure is sometimes removed instead of taken over.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Is your infrastructure locked to one platform?<\/strong>We map which chargers are future-proof and which are not.<\/span><\/div>\n
Request an audit<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What should you agree contractually?<\/h2>\n
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  1. Ask for the OCPP version<\/strong>Have it stated explicitly for each charger on the invoice or purchase order.<\/li>\n
  2. Check the certification<\/strong>Is the charger \u201cOCPP-certified\u201d (formally tested) or only \u201cOCPP-compatible\u201d (a claim)?<\/li>\n
  3. Secure the exit in the management contract<\/strong>You must be able to switch to another charge point operator at any time, without replacing the chargers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The reality of the Belgian market<\/h2>\n

    Almost all major brands, such as Smappee, Alfen, Zaptec, Hager and Alpitronic, support OCPP. But some cheaper brands, especially in turnkey offers from energy suppliers, only work on one closed platform.<\/p>\n

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    Low entry price, high exit cost.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Certipower\u2019s position<\/h2>\n

    We only install OCPP-compliant chargers and connect them to our own platform My.Certipower or to another platform of the customer\u2019s choice. That is not a technical detail. It is the basic condition for still being able to choose freely in 5 years.<\/p>\n

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    Install<\/strong>Hardware-independent: Hager, Zaptec, Alpitronic, Smappee and Alfen.<\/span><\/div>\n
    Measure<\/strong>Consumption per user and per location, without estimates.<\/span><\/div>\n
    My.Certipower<\/strong>All brands on one platform, with consumption and costs per user and per location.<\/span><\/div>\n
    Split billing<\/strong>Your employee pays nothing upfront and submits no receipts. How split billing works<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    More about charge point management<\/a>. Read also AC or DC charging: when do you truly need a fast charger?<\/a> and charging cards for companies in Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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    No obligation<\/div>\n

    Is your charging infrastructure future-proof?<\/p>\n

    We check your existing chargers for OCPP and give you a concrete proposal.<\/p>\n