Indications are that many businesses will be relocating over the next 6 – 12 months. Some will be driven by business growth; others may be looking for smaller premises due to some staff working from home.
In amongst all the planning, legal work, finances and logistical considerations, you will need to make sure that your technology requirements are met.
Your connectivity needs to be treated as high priority
One of the most important things to check, early on (before you enter into the legal commitment), is the availability and speed of internet services at the new location.
If new lines need to be installed, then as well as budgeting for the costs, it is crucial to be realistic about the timescales involved. The timing will depend on the infrastructure provider (eg. Openreach), but also, if your new property is leased, the landlord’s consent will usually be required for new lines – often creating additional delay.
Other technology considerations
- When planning the office layout and cabling, make sure that there will be sufficient network points and electrical points in place for each desk, to accommodate computers, telephones, monitors and mobile phone chargers.
- Is any new computer hardware required? Order it early as the worldwide shortage of microchips means longer lead-in times.
- If your business uses on-premise servers, consider whether it still needs to do so, or whether you could migrate to a cloud-based set-up before you move.
- If you do still need a server, ensure that there is a suitable location for it – ideally an air-conditioned room or large cupboard which is spacious enough to allow engineers to access all the way round the servers. Plan carefully the location of air conditioning units to ensure that no condensation can come into contact with IT equipment.
- Will your existing telephone system move with you, or will the relocation be the trigger for a new system?
- Consider what your wifi requirements will be and keep your internal wifi closed to unauthorised users. Have a separate guest wifi if you want to offer connectivity to visitors.
- For large items of equipment including copiers / scanners / printers, what removal resources will you need?
- Draw up a detailed plan for the move of workstations and phones. Will you move people in phases during the working week, or will the relocation happen out of business hours? It will be crucial that your phones and computers are working in the new location as soon as you open for business again, so thorough testing and a contingency plan will be required.
For help in planning for the technology aspects of your premises move, talk to us as early in the process as possible.