When your business is growing and you outgrow your current premises you will likely have to move to a bigger space. This can be a very daunting task and there are so many different aspects to think about. You have to sort a removals company, decorators to give the place a fresh coat of paint or maybe even do some structural work.

One phase you might overlook is how your IT system will move with you. It can be a bit more complicated than picking up your computers and plugging them into the new office. Here are just a few points to consider.

Network

The first thing you need to do when you get the keys to your new office is check that the current network setup suits your needs.

The previous tenant would have had a specific office and desk layout. This would have suited them but might not necessarily suit you and your operations.

You need to make sure you have the correct number of data ports for all of your devices that need connectivity. Some users may need two ports each depending on if you are using a VOIP phone system.

If you are wanting a complete revamp then you may need to put new data cabling in place. This way you know you can have the exact layout you desire.

Servers

When it comes to the moving day you have to accept there will be business downtime. If you have to move a server you will need build in time for it to get to your new office and re-installed.

You will need to give your customers notice that operations will stop for a period of time whilst the server is moved. It is good to build in some extra time to combat any unforeseen issues that may arise.

Moving the server won’t be as easy as unplugging it at the old office and then plugging it back in at the new premises. The server will need shut down properly. It will then need to be safely transported to the destination without being damaged.

Finally, it will need set up and configured for the new location.

Connectivity

In order to ensure operations can continue as soon as you move into the new office you need to make sure your phone and broadband lines are in place. These normally take a while to set up so it should be close to the top of your “To Do List”.

You’ll need to check with your supplier that they can provide you a service at your new address. Also, if you want to keep your current phone number then you’ll need to speak about porting this to the new location. This will need to be timed for the day of or day either side of the move to avoid any interruptions.

If it turns out your current supplier can’t provide you a service at your new address then you’ll need to find a new supplier around a month before the move. This way you’ll have enough time to arrange the set up with the new supplier and then cancel your old service.

Of course, if you already have a hosted VOIP phone system in place then you can usually just pick up the handsets and plug them in at the new office. There will still be some configuration involved but nothing to the extent of moving a traditional landline service.

Of course, a lot of this stress can be avoided if you have an experienced IT support company handling it all for you. We have helped with a lot of office moves so please get in touch if you are unsure about a relocation. You can see an example of our work in our recent case study with McKinlay Kidd here.