Introduction

Smatrics, an Austrian company established as a joint venture between Siemens and Verbund, focuses on developing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. With operations spanning Austria and Germany, Smatrics plays a key role in expanding and maintaining EV charging networks, supporting the broader transition to sustainable mobility across the region.

The Story

In 2017, Smatrics launched a key initiative to establish and develop the Charge Point Management System (CPMS), a software solution designed to support the remote operation of EV charging stations and integrate seamlessly with related systems such as charging and billing. Kibit played a central role in this effort, with its experts contributing throughout the system’s development from initial concept to implementation.

The CPMS was later productized through continued collaboration between Smatrics and Kibit. Development progressed using Java Spring and Angular, guided by agile methodology. This approach enabled Smatrics to move away from third-party dependencies and focus on delivering features aligned with evolving business needs.

The Challenge

Several challenges arose during the development process:

Protocol implementation: Adopting the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) proved demanding due to imprecise definitions within the standard, requiring careful interpretation and adjustment.

Interoperability: Ensuring compatibility between charging points and a wide range of market devices introduced additional complexity, especially in maintaining consistent performance across varied hardware.

Scalability and feature growth: As the system matured, accommodating new functionalities and expanding capacity became an ongoing challenge, requiring continuous architectural refinement and prioritization.

These hurdles were addressed through iterative development and close collaboration, contributing to a more resilient and adaptable solution.

The Results

The collaboration between Smatrics and Kibit delivered strong results, shaped by long-term flexibility and responsiveness to evolving client needs. Kibit's senior experts played a key role in architectural decision-making and the implementation of complex features, establishing themselves as valued and trusted partners.

The development of the Charge Point Management System (CPMS) led to the formation of a dedicated expert team that continues to collaborate on both large-scale and smaller initiatives. By moving away from third-party dependencies, Smatrics gained strategic control over feature development, aligning technical progress directly with business priorities.

The Smatrics-Kibit partnership exemplifies effective collaboration in the dynamic field of electric vehicle infrastructure. Their ability to navigate challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes has strengthened Smatrics’ own network and positioned the CPMS as a viable solution for other EV charging operators - contributing to broader industry progress.