‘Tis the season to move offices, it seems. We get a great deal of calls in the heat of summer and around the holidays from companies relocating to different office space, and requiring assistance with their IT equipment. It could be that with vacations, business is slower and summer is a good time to make the least amount of impact to employee’s lives.
Whatever the case, in addition to our Office Technology Move Guide, and our Office IT Support Move Services Overview, we found this article from r2k in NYC to be informative: “How to Avoid the Top 4 Budget Busting, Stress-Inducing Mistakes When Moving Your Office”:
Mistake #1 — Not Using A Checklist
This may seem like a no-brainer to those who manage projects, but project management may not be a forte of someone placed in charge of your move (like an office admin). Even those who use a list typically fail to make the list detailed enough.
Mistake #2 — Trying To Save Money By Moving Your Own Computer Network
Don’t ask your staff to disconnect, move and reconnect computers, phones and other devices just to save a few bucks. You’ll frustrate them and end up with phones ringing at the wrong extension, lost cables, and workstations that get dropped rendering them useless. You don’t want to let the movers do this job either; they may be great at moving furniture, but a network is a lot more sophisticated and sensitive. Be smart and hire an IT pro to pack and move your network.
Mistake #3 — Not Hiring The RIGHT IT Firm To Move Your Network
Make sure you know what to look for when outsourcing your IT Office moves such as references from other clients, proof of insurance, a service level guarantee limiting the amount of time you are down, and a professional, organized approach to quoting the move. A real pro will insist on visiting your current location as well as your new location to conduct a detailed site survey. NEVER hire anyone who wants to quote moving your network over the phone. Additionally, look for an IT company that will apply the charges for conducting your site survey against the total cost of the move if you choose them.
Mistake #4 — Not Giving Your Phone, Internet And Cable Vendors Enough Advance Warning
80% of unexpected communications, blackouts and cost overruns on network moves are caused by failure to properly plan voice, data and electrical installation in advance. Just because the prior tenant had computers and telephones is no guarantee that the cabling is suitable for your phones and your computer network. Advance planning will help you avoid emergency rush fees or band aid fixes to make things work.
Internet and telephone connections require as much as six weeks advance notice to be installed, tested and ready the day you move in.
And if you are building a new office, don’t leave it up to the builder to decide how many power outlets, network and phone connections you will need. Remember, changes and additions after the walls are up are at your expense. With printers, scanners, faxes, and other technologies connecting directly to the network these days, the rule of thumb of one electrical outlet, one phone and one network connection per employee is woefully outdated.
Learn more about the author Bob Martin
