IT Relocation in the Future? Start Planning Now

by Stephanie Faris on Monday, September 08 6:00

If your business is planning a move involving your electronic equipment, it isn't too soon to start planning. To avoid additional charges, businesses should get in touch with IT movers as soon as possible. This will allow them to create a thorough plan as well as set dedicate resources to the move.

Before you can get the estimate you'll need to plan your move, you'll be asked to provide some details. To expedite the process, here are some things you should do well in advance of your move.

Conduct a Thorough Inventory

Whether you're moving PCs, servers, or a combination of both, IT moving specialists will first ask for an exact inventory of the equipment, peripherals, and server racks that will be part of the move. If you have equipment in storage, waiting to be recycled, you should determine whether you'd like to have the moving company handle safely recycling that equipment or if you prefer to handle it yourself.

Your inventory should also include all data jacks in your current location, as well as what will be required in the new location. If you'll be taking your cables with you, you should include those on the inventory sheet, as well. This will allow you to determine if additional cabling needs to be provided so you'll have it available before you move.

Office Space Planning

In advance of your move, try to obtain a copy of the floor plan at the new location. On this plan, detail where each printer, copier, and fax machine will be located. This will allow you to ensure that the data jacks and power plugs that you'll need are installed prior to move-in. Identify the location of every data and phone jack and make sure each new desk will be equipped with a corresponding jack to meet each equipment need.

If your office uses land lines, you'll need to work directly with the local phone company to make sure phone numbers are moved over on the day of the move. Offices that have already made the switch to Voice over IP (VoIP) will find all they need to do is ensure the proper infrastructure is in place to allow the phones to simply be unplugged at the old location and plugged in at the new.

Plan in Writing

Your IT relocation specialists will likely work to create a plan for your move that takes everything into consideration. However, on your end you should take a step into disaster recovery mode and draft a plan that accounts for an emergency situation. If, for some reason, one of your critical servers shouldn't boot up after the move, how will you continue to run your business in the interim? Is there a backup alternative to that server?

A move can be an exciting time for a business. By beginning the planning process as soon as possible, you can take some of the stress off of your team and help an outside moving services provider to put their expertise to work for you.