Moving to a new office is exciting, but it’s not without its challenges. There are many things to consider when moving your IT Infrastructure is one very important consideration that should be factored in from the start.

moving IT infrastructure

You want the move to be quick and without issue. If your new office space is not configured to support your existing IT needs and future goals, it creates headaches from day one. It is far more expensive and disruptive to address any issues after the move. The following tips will help you and your team make the move of your IT Infrastructure less stressful.

1. Plan the move in advance.

Don’t cause yourself undue stress – plan the move at least three months in advance, if not more. And remember, a larger office = longer planning.

2. Appoint a single point of contact.

Appoint someone to be the main point of contact for all decisions relating to the move. This will avoid crossed wires and ensure a more co-ordinated move.

3. Get your IT provider or in-house IT expert to survey the site.

Before you commit to your new office space make sure to get an IT expert who has experience in moving IT Infrastructure. They will examine the layout and existing IT infrastructure to see what needs to be done. If you are moving to a newly constructed site the main advantage is you can start planning your infrastructure with a blank canvas. You have the opportunity to build a high performing network infrastructure from the ground up that exactly suits your needs.

4. Do you need a server room or data centre?

As part of the site survey determine where you are going to locate your server room or data centre. Does the area have enough space? Is it air-conditioned and wired correctly? Or do you need to build out a new area specifically to meet your requirements?

5. Schedule an out-of-hours move.

If maximum up-time is essential – which it usually is – schedule your move for out of hours. If your business operates Monday to Friday schedule the move over a weekend.

Moving IT Infrastructure

6. Update your equipment.

An office move is the ideal time to refresh and upgrade your equipment. Replace machines that are coming to end of life and investigate which new systems and technologies will enable greater efficiencies and cost savings. You might also look at virtualising elements of your environment as opposed to moving legacy kit or investing in new physical hardware.

7. Arrange a new internet connection.

A new internet connection can take time to set up depending on your location, type of building etc. Plan this in advance (again at least three months) and use it as an opportunity to research what options are available. Don’t assume you will be able to get the same service as before – your location could affect the speed of your connection.

8. Invest in Cabling

The cables you choose determine the maximum speed of your internet connection. Get at least 3 – 4 quotes when considering cabling. The cheapest may not be the right option – you don’t want to cut costs now and end up having to spend down the line replacing cables due to reliability issues. Make sure that they also have a warranty.

Moving IT Infrastructure9. Prepare a moving guide for the move team and employees.

Have detailed plans of the move and distribute these to the moving team so they know exactly what their responsibilities are. Distribute instructions to employees on how to access email and files during the move and make sure they inform clients of potential disruption to normal service.

10. Have a business continuity plan in place.

It’s almost impossible to avoid downtime no matter how much you prepare. Things can and will go wrong with the move. Do you have a business continuity plan in place to ensure you can keep operating if complications arise? It would be a good idea to keep your existing network running while you make the move – that way if anything unexpected occurs you can stay operational while it’s dealt with.

Need some help planning your IT Infrastructure move?

We’re happy to meet over a coffee to discuss your office move. Drop us a line on 061 337632 or email hello@actionpoint.ie to see how we can help.

Ready to get started?

Contact us today and we can begin discussing your needs. We can quickly provide you with a sense of our approach, estimated costs and a top-level timeframe.

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