CSMS (Charging Station Management System)
Software platform used to monitor, manage, and optimize a network of EV charging stations.
Technical Details
Acts as the central server in the OCPP architecture. Responsible for user authentication (RFID/App), transaction billing, and hardware monitoring.
Fleet Applications
The "control center" for fleet operators to see charger health, restart faulted units remotely, and download charging reports for accounting.
Related Terms
OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)
Global open application standard for communication between EV charging stations and a central management system (CSMS).
OCPP 2.0.1
Version 2.0.1 of the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) that standardizes communication between charging stations and a Charging Station Management System (CSMS).
OCPP Device Model
A standardized way for a charging station to describe its structure and expose configurable/monitorable data to a CSMS without the CSMS needing charger-specific knowledge.
OCPP Security Profiles
A set of standardized security levels that define how a CSMS and charging station authenticate and protect their communication in OCPP.
OCPP 2.1
OCPP 2.1 is a newer OCPP release that extends the protocol ecosystem with clearer architecture guidance and energy-management integration patterns for smart charging deployments.
NotifyChargingLimitRequest (OCPP)
An OCPP message used by a charging station (or local controller) to inform the CSMS that the active charging limit changed due to an external source (e.g., EMS, smart meter, DSO signal).
Local Controller (OCPP)
An on-site component that can sit between charging stations and a CSMS to perform local scheduling and load balancing, often used when integrating an EMS at a site.
OCPI 2.2.1 (Open Charge Point Interface)
Roaming interoperability protocol for exchanging charging network data (locations, tariffs, tokens, sessions, commands, and charge detail records) between CPOs, eMSPs, hubs, and multi-role platforms.
Vehicle Telematics
Technology that monitors a vehicle's location, status, and behavior using GPS and onboard diagnostics.
Fleet Management
End-to-end coordination of vehicles, routes, maintenance, and charging to keep operations reliable and cost-efficient.
AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation)
EU regulation that sets binding targets for the rollout and accessibility of alternative fuels infrastructure, including EV charging.
Eichrecht (German Metering & Calibration Law)
German legal framework that requires accurate, tamper-proof measurement and billing of electricity for EV charging.
IEC 60870-5-104 (Telecontrol Protocol)
A TCP/IP-based protocol used by grid operators for remote control and monitoring of grid-connected assets.
VDV 461 (SIRI/VDV461 BMS Interface)
Standardized interface for exchanging operational and dispatch-relevant data between an ITCS and a depot management system (BMS) using SIRI-based services.
VDV 463 (Charging Management Interface)
Standardized interface for data exchange between depot/ITCS “pre-systems” and charging management, so charging and preconditioning can be planned and synchronized for e-bus depots.
VDV 261 (Dispositive Backend via ISO 15118 VAS)
VDV recommendation that extends ISO 15118 (Ed. 1) for e-bus operations by defining how an e-bus connects to a dispatching (“dispositive”) backend to exchange preparation parameters such as preconditioning.