Anderson EV Chargers in Administration
Discussion
https://news.sky.com/story/auto-supply-chain-crisi...
Thought this would be important for some members that bought their chargers.
[EDIT] Should be Andersen.
Thought this would be important for some members that bought their chargers.
[EDIT] Should be Andersen.
Edited by Evanivitch on Wednesday 12th October 13:52
No ideas for a name said:
I don't have a dog in the fight here, but was wondering is the Andersen EVSE dependant on back-end servers for their operation?
Does the demise of Andersen affect the installed base at all?
Sadly, it is dependant on Andersen's AWS servers.Does the demise of Andersen affect the installed base at all?
I've experienced two - maybe three - periods of downtime of the Andersen services, which knocks the app out. Without access to the app, you can't set schedules, manually lock/unlock the charger, see stats, etc. There is no other way of interacting with the charger except via the app, which relies on these server(s), as it has no physical display or control panel or anything.
So, yeah.. not sure what is going to happen now. At the very least I think I'm going to lose all of the smart functionality from it. I don't know what would happen if/when their servers go down and people's chargers are soft-locked.
I'm hoping they might either release the server software, or some kind of API (which was promised at the start) to allow owners to still control them as smart chargers.
If it helps anyone, the administrators published an email address for customers of Muller EV (t/a Andersen EV) MullerEVcustomers@interpathadvisory.com
It isn't in administration as such, they failed to find a buyer so it is gone.
I guess now its assets will be sold, which will include, its IP.
If it runs on AWS, then it will all stay up as long as the monthly bills get paid.
Personally, I would *never* buy a product that *requires* back end functionality to work properly. It is poor product design (unless you want tie in for a revenue stream) and leaves customers out to dry in times of failure - be that connectivity, hosts, or indeed Company failure.
Sorry to hear that 40 people have lost their jobs.
It isn't in administration as such, they failed to find a buyer so it is gone.
I guess now its assets will be sold, which will include, its IP.
If it runs on AWS, then it will all stay up as long as the monthly bills get paid.
Personally, I would *never* buy a product that *requires* back end functionality to work properly. It is poor product design (unless you want tie in for a revenue stream) and leaves customers out to dry in times of failure - be that connectivity, hosts, or indeed Company failure.
Sorry to hear that 40 people have lost their jobs.
App is already dead. I’ve lost all smart functionality in my charger.
I did expect it, but not within 24 hours of the announcement.
In terms of relying on backend functionality - I wasn’t aware that it was so dependent on it, to be honest. It wasn’t made clear in the brochure that the smart functionality was entirely contingent on their servers being up, and it wasn’t until the first downtime that I found out, by which time of course it was too late.
Looking at LinkedIn it sounds like it was very sudden for the staff. Hope they find alternatives soon.
I did expect it, but not within 24 hours of the announcement.
In terms of relying on backend functionality - I wasn’t aware that it was so dependent on it, to be honest. It wasn’t made clear in the brochure that the smart functionality was entirely contingent on their servers being up, and it wasn’t until the first downtime that I found out, by which time of course it was too late.
Looking at LinkedIn it sounds like it was very sudden for the staff. Hope they find alternatives soon.
Edited by Durzel on Wednesday 12th October 23:14
Durzel said:
App is already dead. I’ve lost all smart functionality in my charger.
I did expect it, but not within 24 hours of the announcement.
In terms of relying on backend functionality - I wasn’t aware that it was so dependent on it, to be honest. It wasn’t made clear in the brochure that the smart functionality was entirely contingent on their servers being up, and it wasn’t until the first downtime that I found out, by which time of course it was too late.
Looking at LinkedIn it sounds like it was very sudden for the staff. Hope they find alternatives soon.
Who sold it to you and installed it, do you have any recourse against them? I did expect it, but not within 24 hours of the announcement.
In terms of relying on backend functionality - I wasn’t aware that it was so dependent on it, to be honest. It wasn’t made clear in the brochure that the smart functionality was entirely contingent on their servers being up, and it wasn’t until the first downtime that I found out, by which time of course it was too late.
Looking at LinkedIn it sounds like it was very sudden for the staff. Hope they find alternatives soon.
Edited by Durzel on Wednesday 12th October 23:14
Durzel said:
No ideas for a name said:
I don't have a dog in the fight here, but was wondering is the Andersen EVSE dependant on back-end servers for their operation?
Does the demise of Andersen affect the installed base at all?
Sadly, it is dependant on Andersen's AWS servers.Does the demise of Andersen affect the installed base at all?
I've experienced two - maybe three - periods of downtime of the Andersen services, which knocks the app out. Without access to the app, you can't set schedules, manually lock/unlock the charger, see stats, etc. There is no other way of interacting with the charger except via the app, which relies on these server(s), as it has no physical display or control panel or anything.
So, yeah.. not sure what is going to happen now. At the very least I think I'm going to lose all of the smart functionality from it. I don't know what would happen if/when their servers go down and people's chargers are soft-locked.
I'm hoping they might either release the server software, or some kind of API (which was promised at the start) to allow owners to still control them as smart chargers.
Most chargers use a generic base software to allow them to talk to vehicles. As a result, all charger software is based on the same fundamental coding.
There is a software-only provider called MONTA which you can connect any home charger to, for zero cost. It is highly likely that Andersen customers can swap over to this and gain their functionality back.
I'm checking with our account manager now but it should be simple enough to do. I'll let you know what they say.
UPDATE: Andersen never made their unit open to other software suppliers (it is still quite a new concept to be fair to them) and so the MONTA software does not work with their chargers.
As Andersen no doubt used some form of third party software, it is possible that other software will work with their chargers but the practicalities of this happening may be challenging to say the least. I'd imagine that once they have gone under that the software contract will cease and all chargers will become dumb.
Most people only use the software for scheduling and many EVs can do themselves anyway so this may not be such a big issue.
There is a software-only provider called MONTA which you can connect any home charger to, for zero cost. It is highly likely that Andersen customers can swap over to this and gain their functionality back.
I'm checking with our account manager now but it should be simple enough to do. I'll let you know what they say.
UPDATE: Andersen never made their unit open to other software suppliers (it is still quite a new concept to be fair to them) and so the MONTA software does not work with their chargers.
As Andersen no doubt used some form of third party software, it is possible that other software will work with their chargers but the practicalities of this happening may be challenging to say the least. I'd imagine that once they have gone under that the software contract will cease and all chargers will become dumb.
Most people only use the software for scheduling and many EVs can do themselves anyway so this may not be such a big issue.
Edited by Frimley111R on Thursday 13th October 10:50
Frimley111R said:
Most chargers use a generic base software to allow them to talk to vehicles. As a result, all charger software is based on the same fundamental coding.
There is a software-only provider called MONTA which you can connect any home charger to, for zero cost. It is highly likely that Andersen customers can swap over to this and gain their functionality back.
I'm checking with our account manager now but it should be simple enough to do. I'll let you know what they say.
UPDATE: Andersen never made their unit open to other software suppliers (it is still quite a new concept to be fair to them) and so the MONTA software does not work with their chargers.
As Andersen no doubt used some form of third party software, it is possible that other software will work with their chargers but the practicalities of this happening may be challenging to say the least. I'd imagine that once they have gone under that the software contract will cease and all chargers will become dumb.
Most people only use the software for scheduling and many EVs can do themselves anyway so this may not be such a big issue.
Thanks for investigating it anyway.There is a software-only provider called MONTA which you can connect any home charger to, for zero cost. It is highly likely that Andersen customers can swap over to this and gain their functionality back.
I'm checking with our account manager now but it should be simple enough to do. I'll let you know what they say.
UPDATE: Andersen never made their unit open to other software suppliers (it is still quite a new concept to be fair to them) and so the MONTA software does not work with their chargers.
As Andersen no doubt used some form of third party software, it is possible that other software will work with their chargers but the practicalities of this happening may be challenging to say the least. I'd imagine that once they have gone under that the software contract will cease and all chargers will become dumb.
Most people only use the software for scheduling and many EVs can do themselves anyway so this may not be such a big issue.
Edited by Frimley111R on Thursday 13th October 10:50
Andersen touted OSPP 2.0 compatibility but they also said initially there was an API available, and that didn't materialise.
LordFlathead said:
This is why I do not recommend smart chargers. Just use a basic charger and set your times up in the car or use a third party controller software to manage your charges if they are tied to your PV etc.
What dumb tethered chargers are there? I will never have solar so really do not need that capability, and the car will schedule as you say.I thought dumb chargers were no longer legal to sell?
Did the new regs get scrapped? https://www.smarthomecharge.co.uk/features/ev-smar...
Did the new regs get scrapped? https://www.smarthomecharge.co.uk/features/ev-smar...
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Thursday 13th October 20:30
OldGermanHeaps said:
I thought dumb chargers were no longer legal to sell?
Did the new regs get scrapped? https://www.smarthomecharge.co.uk/features/ev-smar...
The terminology is misleading/mis-used... probably for marketing reasons.Did the new regs get scrapped? https://www.smarthomecharge.co.uk/features/ev-smar...
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Thursday 13th October 20:30
It is perfectly possible to have EVSE that is functionally 'smart' without dependance on external web services and connectivity...
However, at the basic level all the EVSE are about the same.
A manufacturer needs to add 'value' to entice consumers to their particular product.
Externally 'dependant' EVSE are fine until, there are connectivity issues, a supplier ceases trading, of maybe even decides it is time for you to 'upgrade' so turns your functionality off (See Sage accounts this week)
Don't put anything in the meter box.
Don't wash your whites with your coloureds.
I've got this terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side - nobody listens.
I wonder if this is an issue with their business model only, or the start of a bigger issue for charger manufacturers? I bet most Andersen owners don't even know there is an issue, since the app is still working OK (I only know because of this thread)
Personally I hate devices that function only via apps and cloud services.
Hopefully the unit will just revert to always on, like ours does if the internet connection ever goes down.
Personally I hate devices that function only via apps and cloud services.
Hopefully the unit will just revert to always on, like ours does if the internet connection ever goes down.
Edited by StephenP on Thursday 13th October 23:10
Frimley111R said:
Most chargers use a generic base software to allow them to talk to vehicles. As a result, all charger software is based on the same fundamental coding.
There is a software-only provider called MONTA which you can connect any home charger to, for zero cost. It is highly likely that Andersen customers can swap over to this and gain their functionality back.
I'm checking with our account manager now but it should be simple enough to do. I'll let you know what they say.
UPDATE: Andersen never made their unit open to other software suppliers (it is still quite a new concept to be fair to them) and so the MONTA software does not work with their chargers.
As Andersen no doubt used some form of third party software, it is possible that other software will work with their chargers but the practicalities of this happening may be challenging to say the least. I'd imagine that once they have gone under that the software contract will cease and all chargers will become dumb.
Most people only use the software for scheduling and many EVs can do themselves anyway so this may not be such a big issue.
I hope we can find some way of controlling the charger externally. Would be great to have some kind of service even if we need to host it ourselves. There is a software-only provider called MONTA which you can connect any home charger to, for zero cost. It is highly likely that Andersen customers can swap over to this and gain their functionality back.
I'm checking with our account manager now but it should be simple enough to do. I'll let you know what they say.
UPDATE: Andersen never made their unit open to other software suppliers (it is still quite a new concept to be fair to them) and so the MONTA software does not work with their chargers.
As Andersen no doubt used some form of third party software, it is possible that other software will work with their chargers but the practicalities of this happening may be challenging to say the least. I'd imagine that once they have gone under that the software contract will cease and all chargers will become dumb.
Most people only use the software for scheduling and many EVs can do themselves anyway so this may not be such a big issue.
Edited by Frimley111R on Thursday 13th October 10:50
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff