Whether you are moving to a different floor or a different building, there are a lot of IT-related factors that go into moving a company. Just a few examples are cabling, power, server and network racks, and HVAC, but there are many other components that need to be considered before moving.
One item of importance to consider when moving is the cabling access points within the new location. The new location will need cabling for PCs and phones for each employee and also cabling for Wi-Fi access points and printers. Setting up your conference room is part of your cabling plan as well. Don't forget to consider aspects like speaker phones, screens, projectors, and whatever else you need for your meetings. A solid cabling plan takes some time and can best be executed with an IT team.
But, the cabling doesn't matter if you don’t have the right resources for power. For instance, if you have servers you will need an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This is important to note because a UPS requires a specific AMP plug and if the new location does not support the AMP then the office will need electrical work. If the cabling and power aspects are set up accurately, there is a need for a server and network rack. The server and network rack will need a predetermined setup space within the new location. Even if you do not have servers, you will have to terminate cables and put in switches and patch panels, so this is a very important aspect to consider.
A few other things to consider before you begin the physical moving process is the HVAC, ISP/Telco, upgrades, and the cut over process. When deciding on your new space, it is important the space has a closet that has adequate HVAC cooling for your equipment. Are you able to move your existing Internet service or will you need new service? If you need new Internet service, it is important to ensure that you give your ISP enough lead time. Some businesses take the move as an opportunity to make upgrades such as servers, Wi-Fi, and Firewalls. If this is something you are looking at during the move, you need to determine what you are upgrading and/or what you will need to keep the old hardware. If you decide you are not going to upgrade or buy new hardware, remember to ask yourself if you need to have the new site and the old site both operating at the same time. Knowing changes that will need to be made to the IP addresses is important as well. Asking yourself questions like:
- Do you have IP addresses from your ISP?
- Does your new circuit have IP address from your ISP?
- Are there configurations you will need to change?
As explained, there are a lot of factors regarding IT when you move your office. If you are considering moving offices or your company is moving, make sure to contact a Managed Services Provider, like CHR, to help with your transition.
