| Just thinking about relocating your business can | | | | gets outdated pretty fast. A quick check on |
| give goose bumps to many. Let's face it no one | | | | these equipments is not a bad idea at the time of |
| likes an unpleasant change. And if that change | | | | moving. Replace the worn out and economically |
| potentially means the disruption of your already | | | | unfeasible equipment, and upgrade and repair the |
| hectic schedule, things can get really hot. This is | | | | equipment needing attention. It won't be a bad |
| where a little planning comes in: | | | | idea to sell the discarded computer and telephone |
| 1) Get Budget-wise. Moving without | | | | systems to the dealers who can get you good |
| budget-planning is a sure sign of an inexperienced | | | | quote. |
| manager. A proper budget layout is the first step | | | | 10) Get Security-wise. The security systems for |
| towards an intelligent relocation. Imagine a prior | | | | the business security needs are vital for any |
| knowledge of the costs involved in office | | | | organization. While moving to a new location, plan |
| relocation! It can really smoothen the affairs that | | | | the installation and maintenance of security |
| otherwise, looked formidable. | | | | systems/access system and other surveillance |
| 2) Make a Master Checklist. Prepare a master | | | | equipment. |
| checklist that reflects all the major and minor | | | | 11) Clean Up. Moving is certainly an ideal time for a |
| aspects of relocation. Include all those items that | | | | thorough vacuum cleaning of the old equipment. |
| are required for training or other activities that | | | | 12) Get Label-wise. Labeling is a wise idea to avoid |
| may be unique to your business. This checklist can | | | | complications. All the equipment can be labeled |
| be referenced at the end of your Mission | | | | according to their destination like room number, |
| Relocation! | | | | office location etc. The cubicles, workstations and |
| 3) Layout of Cubicles. Decide upon the size, layout | | | | cabins must also be labeled with names and |
| and location of cubicles, and offices. Have a pdf | | | | designation of their occupier. |
| file of not only the layout of the cubicles but who | | | | 13) Contact Phone and Internet Providers. If the |
| is going to be sitting where. Your cubicle, phone | | | | new location is an under-construction site, plan the |
| system, movers and network administrator will | | | | wiring schedule well in advance. Prior information |
| thank you. | | | | to the wiring-installer about the location of servers |
| 4) Furniture. Plan the location of furniture at the | | | | and clients makes the job of relocation |
| new office. | | | | hassle-free. |
| 5) Choose the type of furniture that best suits | | | | 14) Server Room. Confirm the minimum |
| your requirements. A prior decision on the | | | | requirements for the server room, including room |
| furniture-type will ensure if networking of your | | | | dimensions, electrical requirements (30 amp |
| systems is required before placing the furniture. | | | | dedicated circuit), floor coverings, HVAC with |
| For instance, modular furniture demands | | | | alarm. |
| pre-networking of the systems. | | | | 15) Test all networks, phone drops, power |
| 6) Plan the location of equipment. I.E. PC, printer, | | | | outlets, back-up batteries etc. |
| fax, telephones etc. The jack locations for voice | | | | 16) Disconnect all the telephone and Internet lines |
| and data can be easily determined if you have | | | | at the old location. |
| performed the above tasks diligently. | | | | 17) Phone System. Ensure that you have |
| 7) Obtain the bids for voice and data/network | | | | contacted a phone system installer to either |
| cabling (wiring) for the new location. Southern Cal | | | | upgrade your current system of provide a |
| Telecom is a company in the Southern California | | | | different phone system. A list of installers through |
| area that can provide cabling for 2 to 2,000 | | | | out the country can be found at |
| cables. | | | | 18) Get Communication-wise. Moving to a new |
| 8) Spread Team Spirit. This may sound corny but | | | | location means a new address that must be |
| it works! It helps the whole office buy into the | | | | communicated to all concerned. Prepare a list of all |
| idea of helping with the move.Appoint one of the | | | | the contacts, including their contact details like |
| trusted members of your staff as the move | | | | address, phone number, emails, fax etc. Broadly, |
| coordinator who will be in-charge of the moving | | | | the list includes property management personnel, |
| operations. Help him/her delegate the work to | | | | local telephone company, local computer support |
| other staff members. This would not only help in | | | | vendor, local telephone system vendor, telephone |
| materializing the moving plans but also develop a | | | | data cable vendor, shipping representative, and |
| team spirit and a sense of belongingness amongst | | | | the Webmaster. Store a printed copy in an easily |
| the staff. Separate teams may be formed for | | | | accessible and safe location. |
| professional execution of work. For instance, | | | | 19) Deliveries. Always make sure that the local |
| desktop team may be responsible for moving and | | | | staff contact is on-site for deliveries or vendor |
| installing the PCs from old location to the new one. | | | | access to the space prior to office opening. |
| Similarly, a network team may perform the task | | | | 20) Back it up. Ask the staff to make a backup |
| of configuring the switches and routers. | | | | of all the important data on the PCs. |
| 9) Replacement, Upgradation and Maintenance. | | | | 21) Movers. Always a good idea to use a |
| Electronic equipments, especially the paraphernalia | | | | professional moving company. |
| relating to computers and telephone systems, | | | | |