Transforming Fuel Stations into Energy Hubs with Cloudics

While big energy retailers can afford to trial and error new innovations and shifts to business operations, small and medium retailers struggle to make ends meet with changing fuel margin dynamics in an ever-changing world. Cloudics aims to resolve those challenges without investing in new on-site technology.

The Cloudics platform enables retailers to turn out-of-date fuel stations into holistic energy hubs at a pace of their choosing.

By integrating operations across self-service convenience, EV charging, fuelling, and car wash services into a central cloud-based platform, retailers can select how they wish to adapt their business to changing demands.

Thanks to Cloudics, we can convert legacy equipment into cloud-driven IoT devices. This means your customer reach and upsell options grow exponentially, but it also prolongs the lifespan of legacy equipment.

At Uniti Expo 2024 in Hall 5, Booth D61, we are excited to demonstrate how our software and hardware solutions contribute to a connected energy station ecosystem.

Central to energy stations, convenience retail demands reliable 24/7 operations

A lot has been said about frictionless technologies for hopping, and whilst retailers are looking at ways to simplify this business and relieve staffing issues, we are all aware of the news around just-walkout technologies and their failures.

Cloudics shopping is going back to the root of the problem to help enable unmanned operations or 24/7 operations during off-peak hours.

Our frictionless entry/exit solution is already in use today, but rather than using the expense and unproven AI technologies to track sales, we leverage self-checkout or mobile scan and pay.

In addition, with our new radar-based security, we can track customer behaviour in-store and warn retailers to check camera systems for spurious behaviour.

World-first established Cloud FCC

Our innovative cloud-based forecourt controller already empowers fuel retailers to effortlessly connect station equipment and devices to the cloud.

It has been in use for over five years and is still going strong. With the constant addition of new dispensers, our solution is ready to go for markets worldwide, and we are now entering new markets in Asia.

With Cloudics FCC, all the forecourt equipment (dispensers, wetstock, price displays, car wash—all become IoT devices) can be managed from the cloud, enabling instant access to control and manage all your station devices remotely without being on-site.

Cloud-based Forecourt Controller reduces operational costs by a huge margin, centralising control and management of the forecourt in a way that cannot be achieved with a physical device. It also simplifies fuel bunkering, keeping a real-time view of B2B tanks and containers at non-public locations.

Charging into the future

In response to the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, we proudly present our newly developed eOPT specifically for EV charging.

It has been integrated with our all-in-one mobile payment app and a versatile Charging Station Management System (CSMS) supporting over 30 charger manufacturers.

Cloudics platform for EV charging is a low-cost way to quickly fulfil payment regulations for the EU and bring additional services to the OPT, such as car washes, parking, vacuum cleaners, vending machines and more.

Read more about Cloudics for EV charging here.

All-in-one mobile app

Whilst many retailers have invested in an app over the past decade, it is now becoming increasingly clear that just like a POS solution, customer apps require investment and planning.

The Cloudics app consolidates all aspects of the energy retail experience, from EV charging and frictionless entry to fueling, subscription-based services, shopping, food, engaging gamification features, and so much more.

Come talk to us about how you can use the app to surprise and delight your customers, driving increased revenue and converting fuel-only customers to loyal shoppers.

About Cloudics

Cloudics stands at the forefront, driving innovation as the energy landscape shifts. Our focus is ensuring retailers are ready for the next generation of fuel and convenience retail, no matter which direction the industry goes.

At Uniti Expo 2024, we will be unveiling current and latest innovations, with the goal of transforming fuel stations into comprehensive energy hubs, without the huge expense of equipment upgrades.

Global reach and borderless possibilities

Our journey spans over 26 years, during which we have achieved significant milestones, including deploying our platform and solutions across multiple regions such as Canada, the Baltics, the EU, and Georgia.

With over 550 stations operating on our platform and more than 200,000 users worldwide, our global footprint is a testament to our expertise and the trust placed in us by our partners.

We invite you to experience the future of fuel retail firsthand at Uniti Expo 2024, Hall 5, Booth D61.

Let’s embark on this journey towards a more efficient, sustainable, and consumer-friendly energy landscape.

Ad-hoc payments regulation for EV: Cloudics eOPT

A lot has already been said about the new Ad-hoc payment regulations coming into force around EVs. Designed to address many issues, including ease of access for users of low-cost EVs and the lack of transparency in subscription payments, the new rules mandate access to a credit card or contactless payment device without the need for subscriptions.

With the new directive already in place within the EU and similar initiatives underway in the UK and the US, such as the NEVI program, the landscape of EV charging is set for a substantial shift.

These regulations must be integrated into national laws, and they are not just bureaucratic changes but pivotal moves towards more user-friendly and transparent EV charging.

What does this mean for operators?

For operators, this translates into a significant investment in infrastructure.

The mandate for accessible credit card or contactless payment options at charging stations means operators must install PINpads at each charger or adopt a more integrated hardware solution to manage multiple chargers.

This is where Cloudics steps in with an innovative and cost-effective answer: the eOPT.

Designed to be a low-cost, asset-light solution, the Cloudics eOPT is revolutionary in its simplicity.

Leveraging the proven Cloudics Platform, all the business intelligence for the eOPT sits in the cloud, meaning that the only critical hardware is the PINpad.

Cloudics leverages the open areas of the PINpad payment flow to place charger control screens, meaning customers can select a charger and pay from the screen itself.

The Cloudics eOPT extends its benefits beyond simple payment flow

Utilising the existing Cloudics CPMS, customers will also be informed about the cost of parking or service on the display for each charger, so they know in advance how much per KW and per minute they will pay. 

For retailers and operators, the Cloudics solution offers an additional advantage: it only stops charging fees for parking when the charger is disconnected, not merely when the charging is complete.

But that’s not all.

Versatile customer journeys thanks to a floating basket

Thanks to the fact that the Cloudics Platform has a free-forming floating basket, that customer journey flow can be used for pretty much any purpose.

This means that from a single transaction, customers can charge their car, book a car wash, order food and drink, and even update their loyalty status.

This flexibility, coupled with the ability to continue transactions on any Cloudics-connected device, be it mobile, self-checkout, or point-of-sale, redefines convenience in EV charging.

A step further with Cloudics FCC

We take integration a step further with our unique Cloud-based Forecourt Controller.

Download the PDF here.

This innovation allows for seamless visibility and control of chargers directly from the Point of Sale (POS) system.

But the integration doesn’t end there; the eOPT also enables the selection of fuel pumps via its interface, offering a unified solution for various forecourt services.

This level of integration positions the Cloudics eOPT as a highly versatile and efficient option for retailers, providing a low-cost, low-maintenance OPT alternative.

Compared to mainstream OPTs in the market, the eOPT stands out for its affordability and ease of service, making it an attractive choice for retailers looking to upgrade their EV charging infrastructure.

Cloudics eOPT is not just a response to the changing regulatory landscape; it’s a forward-thinking solution.

Cloudics eOPT will be ready to install in early Q1 2024 and will be a game changer for the industry. You will no longer need to be concerned about installing a PINpad on every charger, nor will you need to worry about how to monetise your chargers.

Speak to us today to find out how to purchase the eOPT or partner with us.

For more information, visit: www.cloudics.com

Connect with our International Sales Director Gary on LinkedIn.

What is the difference between autocharge and Plug & Charge?

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow in popularity, understanding the nuances of EV charging technologies becomes crucial. Two terms often heard in the EV charging conversation are Autocharge and Plug & Charge. While they might seem similar at first glance, they are different technologies with unique features and benefits. Let’s demystify these terms.

Seamless synergy: Cloudics integration with Eco Movement

Cloudics management and payment platform for EV charging and energy stations has been successfully integrated with the Eco Movement data platform for a more convenient charging experience.

Cloudics white-label platform Rezzo in partnership with RL Energies, launches in the Canadian EV market

May 2023 marks a milestone for Cloudics & Rezzo collaboration. Phase 1 deployment of the RL Energies charging network in Quebec, Canada, has been completed. A 12-month journey of hard work has paid off, and 20 EV chargers across RL Energies and Belzile energy stations have been set up, with 10 of them being ultra-fast (160kW) and other 10 fast 50kW charging points.

Canadian fuel retailer leverages innovative cloud platform to stay ahead of the competition

In the second half of 2021, Cloudics, a cloud-based platform for energy station management and payments, entered the 9th largest economy in the world.

A white-label solution was established with local Canadian brand Rezzo to offer the Cloudics platform for energy stations in Canada. In just a matter of months since its market debut, Canadian RL Energies, became the first company to utilise the innovative platform.

Cloudics is attending ReFuelForum Europe 2023

ReFuelEurope by OpenRoom is a high-energy networking and industry collaboration event.

It is a gathering consisting of pre-arranged one-on-ones, informal networking and lively debates led by key figures in the industry. The event aims to give a 360-degree overview of what’s needed to take your business forward in the fuel industry.

We are happy to announce that Cloudics International Sales Director, Gary Szendielarz, will represent our company and provide unique insights into our cloud-based platform.

Here are some thought-provoking ideas you hadn’t probably considered when evaluating Cloudics as a business platform.