March 2013 TechTip
How To Avoid The Top 5 Budget Busting, Stress-Inducing Mistakes
When Moving Your Office
Moving is always a pain, but it doesn't have to be a horrific, expensive experience. The number one lament from someone who has experienced a “bad” move is, "I didn't know I needed to..." followed closely by “I completely forgot that..." In other words, it's what you don't do that makes the move a disaster..
To make your move easy and effortless, here are the 5 most common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake #1 — Not Using A Checklist
Moving your office is not a regular activity and the person put in charge may not be accustomed to this type of project management. Planning ahead using a detailed moving checklist will help minimize forgetting the details a move requires.
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 the move. A few things to look for would include 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.
Mistake #5 — Leaving It Up To The Builder
If you are building a new office, don’t leave it up to the builder to decide how many power outlets or 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. Have your IT company help with wiring plans before the walls go up.
Schedule Us To Help With Your Next Office Move And
Receive A FREE Office Move Toolkit (a $500 or more Value)!
If you (or someone you know) is planning on moving, contact us for a FREE Office Move Toolkit. You’ll receive:
- FREE Office Move Checklist to make sure you don't overlook important action items.
- FREE Site Survey and Network Move Plan. At no charge we'll come to your location and map out your Computer Network move to minimize costs and downtime.
You must be logged in to post a comment.