Moving office or commercial premises may open up a whole array of opportunities for your business, from expanding your operations to diversifying into new markets but the move itself will also bring with it a fair few challenges. You’ll want the entire process to be executed as smoothly and as swiftly as possible and ultimately for your business to incur minimal downtime.
Depending on the nature of the industry you’re operating in, one of the more involved aspects of relocating an enterprise is the movement of IT equipment. Careful planning and calling on the expertise of the professionals is key to executing this well.
Take a look at our top useful ten tips on moving IT equipment:
1. Find out what internet speed is provided in the new premises. Do this early on in the process of deciding to move as it’s an important determining factor in deciding on an office location. A problematic internet connection will spell trouble for the smooth functioning of your business.
2. Inventory all of your equipment and take the opportunity to assess whether it still meets your requirements or whether it needs upgrading/ replacing.
3. Set up call forwarding if you’re changing the phone number. Don’t forget to order new stationary with the new phone number on.
4. Bear in mind that installation of internet and telephone lines can take time. Factor this into the moving plan timescale. You’ll need to have time to test it and ensure that it’s functioning properly.
5. Involve your IT provider in the configuration plan of the new office for when you’re deciding on the location of printers and phones etc.
6. On the last working day at the old premises instruct all staff on the procedure for fully closing down their computers etc prior to technicians disconnecting the equipment.
7. Label all wiring and data cables correctly and clearly so that you know to which piece of equipment they belong and where the removal company need to move them to in the new office.
8. Don’t underestimate what is involved in not only moving IT equipment but in the entire movement of your business. Invest in a professional removals company who are members of the British Association of Removers and who have experience of office and commercial moves. Their removal crews are trained in the handling of office equipment and in ensuring the safe transit office and commercial equipment.
9. Once you’re installed in the new premises, it’s useful to have a technician on hand to help employees with any technical issues they have and to trouble shoot any problems with internet connections and phone lines etc. Have these issues solved on day one so that the business has minimal down time and is back up and running as swiftly as possible.
10. Test everything! From internet connectivity to phone lines, any call forwarding features, internal phone lines as well as email accounts for both incoming and outgoing emails.
