Moving Office? Make sure you don't leave IT behind.
IT Relocation Tips for a successful Office Move
An office move is an exciting time and all staff members will be looking forward to moving into their new office space. Their basic expectations will be simple: namely, that all of their IT equipment will be working properly on the first day in the new office.
Sounds reasonable enough to me!
So why is it that so many companies get this criticial piece of an office move so badly wrong? The truth of the matter is that the success of any IT Relocation comes down to planning and preparation - together with a willingness to call on the service of outside expertise to plug any knowledge and skill gaps.
The end game of an IT Relocation is to ensure that a company's entire communications infrastructure (computers, servers, copiers, faxes, phones etc) is up and running on that all-important first day in the new office space. And all this has to happen within budget and without unnecessary business disruption.
There are 3 common pitfalls that companies moving office make:
Underestimating what is involved with an IT Relocation:
You would be well advised to remember the fact that if your computers and phones aren't working on day 1 in your new office then your company can't properly operate (and if it can't operate then you're losing money). A simple rule of thumb is to plan for every eventuality - and then have contingency plans for everything (work on the assumption that if something can go wrong then it will).
Failing to start the IT Relocation process early enough:
There's a lot to do and the earlier you start planning your office IT Relocation, the greater chance you have in making sure that business is not disrupted before, during and after the office move. The lead times for many component parts of an IT Relocation (especially phone lines) are often far longer than many companies plan for - and your business simply can't afford to be left without essential connectivity.
Neglecting to co-opt the expert skills and knowledge of IT Relocation professionals:
How often has your internal IT department been involved in an office move? Probably not that often - which can leave you exposed from an experience and skill-set perspective. Conversely, there are IT Relocation Companies who help organizations through an office move for a living. They are completely up to speed with all of the latest best practive methods of safely (and efficiently) moving IT infrastructures - and their support and guidance can prove an invaluable addition to your office relocation project team.
To help ensure that your IT & Communications infrastructure is correctly in place in your new office (with everything tested and fully functional) then download the free IT Relocation Checklist now.
Planning an office move? Go the office relocation planning resource center
-
Start Planning Your Office Move
Wherever you are in your office move process Help Moving Office has the information you need to plan your office move properly.
Start Planning -
Access The Resource Center
With over 15 guides, checklists, tools & calculators the Resource Center has everything you need to plan, organize & manage a successful office move.
See Resources -
Office Relocation Services Directory
Looking for the right companies for your office move? Connect with independently sourced and pre-qualified vendors that are experts in your local market.
The Directory
Latest Tips
-
85 Critical Tasks Before, During, and After the Move
An office move has countless moving parts. Where do you start? Keep reading... "Guru" of office moving, Ed Katz, has you covered!
Read Article -
Request for Information (RFI) with Best Answers
Looking for the best mover for your office relocation? The best way to narrow down your search is to ask the right questions. What are the right questions? We're here to help! Ed Katz, president of the International Office Moving Institute (IOMI) and guru of office moving, will tell you exactly what you should be asking potential movers and what the right mover will say.
Read Article -
Stages of an Office Move
Identify the key stages of an office move and find out what important issues need to be considered at each milestone.
Read Article
