Moving your office is a big job. Packing desks, securing moving vehicles, negotiating leases, updating contact info, etc., are hard enough on their own—and they only get more complicated when you add in all of your technology. From complicated hardware and cabling to maintaining your network infrastructure, there are a lot of crucial things to keep in mind during your move, especially without office IT relocation services.
Many businesses underestimate how intricate IT relocation can be, which can cause them to make one (or several!) of these common mistakes. Take a look at these frequent IT mistakes people make when moving their office.
1. Neglecting Proper Planning
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your IT move will be simple and that you don’t need to plan ahead. Coordinating the disassembly, transport, and reinstallation of your equipment requires careful preparation to make sure everything gets where it needs to go safely. Investing in office IT relocation services is a good way to make sure your plan is effective and comprehensive.
How to Avoid It
- Create a detailed inventory list of all of your hardware and software that needs to be transferred.
- Carefully determine how you’ll disassemble, pack, and transport each item on your inventory list.
- Outline an order of operations and prioritize the most important steps, such as reconnecting critical systems immediately upon moving.
- Establish a timeline that accounts for setup, testing, and any potential delays so you can minimize downtime.
2. Not Backing Up Data
Imagine arriving at your new office, only to find out that you’ve lost critical company data because hardware wasn’t shut down or moved correctly. This can cause significant downtime and financial loss as you scramble to fill in gaps and attempt to recover lost information.
How to Avoid It
- Perform a full data backup before the move, ensuring all files, applications, and systems are safely stored.
- Upload critical data to an external hard drive or the cloud for additional protection.
- Run tests to confirm that your backup is working properly and you can easily access data.
3. Losing or Breaking Hardware
Servers, desktop computers, monitors, and other hardware are sensitive and expensive. Improper packing and handling throughout the move can lead to damaged equipment, and hardware can easily get lost if there’s poor coordination during loading and transport. Without your equipment at the ready, you’re likely to face costly replacements and delays.
How to Avoid It
- Consult a tech expert who offers office IT relocation services before disassembling hardware to make sure you do so safely.
- Use protective packaging, such as anti-static bubble wrap and padded boxes to prevent damage. If you still have the original packaging for any of your equipment, use that.
- Keep track of which moving vehicle each piece goes in, and carefully label all boxes with their contents and where in the new office they’ll go.
- Pay special attention to your cabling, making sure everything gets disconnected and reorganized properly.
4. Assuming Phone and Internet Will Transfer Seamlessly
All too often, businesses assume that their phone and internet systems will work the moment they step into the new office. Unfortunately, differences in service providers, regional coverage, or new building infrastructure can leave you without the connectivity you need, as well as a whole lot of hassle on your first day back at work.
How to Avoid It
- Contact your service providers early to confirm compatibility with your new address. Arrange for installations or upgrades if necessary.
- Test your phone and internet systems at the new office before moving day, and troubleshoot any issues before diving into your first day of work.
- Make sure your office IT relocation services include help with software setup so you can be up and running ASAP.
5. Missing the Chance to Optimize Your IT Setup
An office move is an excellent opportunity to assess your current IT infrastructure and make sure you don’t move anything you don’t need anymore. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to decide what systems you really need, what upgrades you’d like to make, and how you can optimize your infrastructure.
How to Avoid It
- Review your current IT setup and identify inefficiencies or outdated systems that you don’t need to transfer to your new space.
- Explore opportunities for digital transformation, such as upgrading hardware, virtualizing servers, or transitioning to cloud-based solutions.
- Work with a trusted MSP to create a forward-thinking technology strategy that aligns with your business goals.
Smooth Your Move with Velocity IT
Most of these mistakes can be avoided by getting support from the experts. At Velocity IT, we offer personalized, comprehensive office IT relocation services that make your transition seamless.
We’ll help you make a game plan and ensure all of your systems are backed up and ready to be transferred. Then we’ll take care of the nitty gritty work by carefully disassembling, transporting, and reinstalling all of your equipment in your new place, making sure everything is up and running smoothly before we head out.
So don’t let your office relocation be more stressful than necessary—we’re here to help. Give us a call to take the hassle out of your move.
