When preparing to relocate your office space, to say there is a lot to consider, organize, pack, and be on top of is an understatement. Rather than packing up your clothing, furniture, and personal items as you would when moving houses, in an office move, you are dealing with items that can be expensive, breakable or easily damaged, and contain sensitive customer and company data that can’t get lost, stolen, or ruined.
The IT department can be a very tricky area to just pick up and move and it does require some consideration and a plan. With that in mind, we’ve gone ahead and put together the top tips to consider as you work to relocate your IT department.
Don’t Even Mess with It Yourself
Possibly the best tip to offer is not to mess with relocating the IT department at all. Instead, leave it to an IT relocation specialist, which is a company that does it all for you. They will have the knowledge and skills necessary to move all the equipment in a safe and efficient manner, they can pack it in the right storage containers or vessels, they can provide full documentation of all the items being moved and track information on the assets, they can provide custom flight cases to keep equipment safe, and they may even offer transportation in a GPS tracked moving vehicle.
A professional service is ideal for companies that have a lot of IT equipment that is expensive and contains sensitive data.
Make a List of All Your Equipment
If you plan on tackling it yourself, or even if you are hiring a professional, it’s a good idea to also make a list of all your IT equipment. This should be a comprehensive list that includes all items both big and small. What this list does is help you track items as they arrive at the destination.
Are You Getting Rid of Anything
Now is also the time to look closely at your equipment and decide if it’s time to get rid of and retire anything. There is no point bringing it along with you if you don’t plan on using it in the new place. There’s a good chance you may have some out-of-date pieces that really aren’t necessary any longer.
Create a Plan for the New Space
Before the move actually takes place, you will also want to create a floor plan for the new space as far as the IT equipment goes. This will provide you with a guideline so you can place items in their proper spot. What this means is that you can get organized and set-up a whole lot faster in the new space.
As you draw up the plan, you’ll need to think about things such as where the power ports are, the phone lines, the internet lines, where people will be sitting, where the copy machine and printer will be, and so on. If you are using a professional moving service, you can then share this floorplan with them. While making your floor plan, take the opportunity to direct the flow of traffic within the new space. Dispose of surplus equipment that would otherwise be left lying around the office, or keep them in a storage unit where they can be stored in optimal condition. If you are worried about the cost, you’ll be glad to know that this wouldn’t set the company back by much. There are cheap storage units in Manchester, London, Brighton, or anywhere else you may be.
These tips will help to ensure that moving the IT department goes as smoothly as possible.
