Published January 15, 2018     |     Written by Robert Harrington

Congratulations! Your business is growing and with that growth comes the need for a new office. The next step? Getting your office relocation project plan in place.

There’s a lot to consider when you transition to or open a new office space. From the type of furniture you’ll use to the technology you’ll need to operate, you have a lot of decisions to make.

I can’t make most of these decisions for you but I can help guide you on one aspect of your big office relocation – the IT side of things.

Technology to Include in Your Office Relocation Project Plan

You don’t have to have your office perfect for your ribbon cutting ceremony but you do have to be able to start and accept business at your new location. The technology you put into your project plan is critical to achieving this must on your to do list.

Before you say an emphatic yes to everything that’s listed, there are a few things to consider:

• What’s your budget? IT ranges in cost, so your budget should be considered.
• Will you store your servers on site? If so, how many?
• How will you connect to the outside world? Phone? Fax? Internet? All of the above?
• How many phone lines will you need?
• What kind of equipment will you give your employees?

Once you have those questions answered, the next step is to bring in an IT consultant.

Bringing In an IT Consultant

You’re in the process of making a big transition. Understanding every little wire and widget that you need is not your responsibility. It’s the responsibility of a consultant.

It’s critical that you involve an IT consultant long before you open up shop in your new location. If you’re building a new office from scratch, you’ll need an IT expert to guide you on where to put phone jacks, cabling, and electricity.

These are just some of the specific tasks this person can help you plan for and navigate:

• The buildout of the floor plan including how much storage is needed to house all of the hardware you’ll need for your new systems
• How the cabling should be setup to accommodate the workstation setups
• Finding and managing the various vendors who will setup the telecommunications, Internet, television, etc. before you move in
• Identifying the hardware needed to fit your desired system
• Completing the cabling, buildout, and installation
• Testing the printers, Internet, phone system, and any other technology to ensure everything works properly

This information requires expertise. Many hurdles can arise no matter how well you plan. By having a consultant who understands new office build outs, you can avoid as many unforeseen problems and costs as possible.

Protecting Your Data

One of the most common problems that arise during a big office move is data protection.

If you plan to move your physical servers and other hardware, you’ll want to take several backups of your data before making the big transition. Storing your data in the cloud is one way to ensure that, no matter what happens to your physical backups, you always have access to your company’s business intelligence.

Once you get to the new site, you’ll also need to immediately protect your data. This means having cyber security software already set up and ready to go. If you have this in the cloud already, you probably don’t need more. However, if you haven’t checked your setup, now is a good time to do so. You want to close as many doors as possible for hackers. During a move, you’re already vulnerable, so it’s important to keep your cyber protection up-to-date – especially during transition time.

Help is Here

If you’re ready to make the big move, you don’t have to go it alone. You have enough to juggle. When it comes to your office relocation project plan, including an IT consultant in the mix can help ease your stress while making your move easier and better all around.

As an experienced technician, I understand the uphill battle you’re about to face and I can help you get to the top. Call me for guidance on cabling, networks, electrical work, and more. I’ll work with you to ensure you get the best value for your money, while keeping your transition as secure as possible.