Managing An Office IT Move
Engineering the Perfect IT Relocation
The need to expand is a sure sign that your business is heading in the right direction, but expansion brings with it a series of logistical and operational challenges.
And, given the importance of IT in modern business, it should come as no surprise that migrating your IT operations is one of the most crucial aspects to consider when relocating to new premises. It can be a difficult and testing process, but one that, if engineered and planned correctly, can provide a seamless transition. Managing this move, therefore, is vital, so let’s take a look at what you need to consider.
Server Relocation
Without servers, your business has no backbone to its IT operations and its ability to remain competitive becomes significantly reduced, if not completely extinguished. And this fact remains true for as long as your servers are down. Consequently, relocating your servers needs to be planned thoroughly in order to reduce the downtime and the impact this has upon your organisation. One of your first steps, therefore, should be to draw up a thorough plan of when and how you will begin the relocation process.
However, whilst planning is certainly the key to success, the real challenge comes when you begin the physical removal of your servers and all their accompanying equipment. Remember, servers are not only bulky items, but they’re also fragile and contain incredibly valuable and sensitive data. Ensuring that this is transported correctly, therefore, is paramount. Thankfully, working with a professional and experienced removal company can guarantee peace of mind that your equipment will be transported safely.
Migrating Phone Lines and the Internet
Servers may be crucial for your organisation’s IT network to run efficiently, but equally important are the phone lines and the internet. It’s common to assume that every building in the 21st century is equipped and ready to cope with the demands of modern business communication, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. And that’s why it’s so important that, as part of your site survey, you evaluate the existing communication lines of any potential new premises.
There’s a chance that everything will be perfect, but this will be relatively small unless you’re relocating into bespoke premises. Installing new phone lines to cope with the demands of your business is likely to be required and this can take time to finalise. Time, of course, is highly valuable when it comes to relocating your IT solutions, so this is, again, a step that you need to take early on in the relocation process to reduce any downtime.
Prepare a Relocation Contingency Plan
It’s clear that organising and planning a successful IT relocation project is essential to keep your organisation’s IT functioning smoothly and consistently. However, the logistics involved in relocation mean that these projects rarely run to plan. And, with so much at stake, it’s vital that you have a contingency plan in place. Additionally, multiple backups of your data are imperative as relocation projects are prone to data emergencies.
Working with external professionals with experience running relocation projects involving complex IT systems is an effective way to help mitigate these risks.
If you’d like any advice on your next relocation project, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
