Office Move IT Questions and Checklist

Biz Tech Tips, episode 39, video archive

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Office Move checklist

Key IT considerations to think about when moving offices:

1. Will you need more hardware or wiring?

Probably, yes. Your old WiFi and wiring setup will not be the same if you are optimizing a new office.

2. Always reach out and double-check that the telephone and ISP are ready to go before the move-in date.

Reminders are always recommended, as I've heard horror stories of offices going without both for a week or more due to not reminding the company. And, yes, this is even after being told everything would be taken care of.

3. You should asset tag most things before your move

Most computers are not interchangeable, and it's easy to mix up that kind of thing during a move. Even keep basic things like wires for individual computers together in the same box.

4. Verify existing service contracts will coordinate their services between the two locations.

Make sure your number is getting ported over smoothly to the new location (and potentially new telephone company). This goes for any location-specific services your office utilizes.

5. Get full image data backups before the move.

This is just a good idea in general. You want entire computer systems backed up, and not just files. Someone is likely to have an issue with the move, and your people will probably have their hands full with the move and won't have time to spend a full day installing and configuring all of the software and everything else all over again.

6. Create a checklist of your own.

Here's the top 20 things that are generally on an IT move checklist: data backup, tag all of your assets, telephone service (answering machines, telephone room location, new outlet locations, etc), fax, ISP, other communication systems, workstations and peripherals (scanners, printers, routers, etc), software and operating system backups, new server room checklist (including temperature regulation, ventilation, behind lock and key, etc), service contract coordination (IT, printer service, ISP, phones, etc), power supply (including backup), cabling needs (verify distance from new outlets, new locations of router/modem/switches, etc), A/V (projectors, conference room equipment, TVs, whiteboards, etc), security systems (CCTV, cameras, etc)