| Moving the office network? How hard could it be? | | | | lifting the equipment may require hoists, trolleys and |
| Anybody who's ever moved the office network | | | | ropes. |
| knows the risks and challenges associated with this | | | | A removal truck is obviously an essential part of the |
| colossal task. This mighty endeavour is not merely a | | | | office move, though extra care needs to be taken |
| case of logging-off, shutting down and pulling the | | | | concerning packaging. |
| plug. | | | | Prepare for impact |
| The move requires careful, systematic planning, | | | | Your delicate robotics need to travel comfortably |
| forethought and a little luck. The following | | | | between cushioned barriers, preventing devices from |
| considerations provide valuable guide ropes for hauling | | | | jarring together. Wrapping the equipment in anti-static |
| serious office technology. | | | | bubble wrap shields the equipment against magnetic |
| Think of the move as the evolutionary-growth to a | | | | fields, preventing the loss of valuable data. |
| better network | | | | Equipment should ideally be placed in computer crates. |
| An office move can provide the perfect opportunity | | | | Each crate should be dedicated to one complete |
| to re-evaluate your IT systems, introduce new | | | | system that is labelled for easy identification. |
| technology and upgrade your equipment. | | | | Think seriously about Insurance |
| Consider the future of your company and the | | | | When it involves your bread and butter being stored |
| flexibility your network will need as your company | | | | in digital format, ensure you have a back-up plan in |
| expands. Assess your needs and work out exactly | | | | case something happens during the move. Most |
| what you will need to add to provide for your future | | | | insurance companies offer various policies for insuring |
| growth. | | | | computers against theft and damage. |
| Hire a network specialist to fine tune your systems | | | | Find out if your new building has the facilities for your |
| Obtaining expert advice helps cut corners, taking the | | | | network |
| guesswork out of what equipment you'll need, design | | | | Be sure to conduct a site survey and evaluate what |
| and implementation of the network and the | | | | your network needs are. This helps to curb |
| difficulties associated with troubleshooting. | | | | overspending on equipment and identifies the best |
| We take great pride in our work. As a reliable, | | | | possible locations for installing access points. It also |
| efficient and highly specialised IT company in London, | | | | ensures that cable runs meet the local building codes. |
| you'll be afforded the peace of mind that with us, | | | | Things just work better when cabling is installed |
| your computers and network are in the hands of | | | | before the move |
| professionals says Andrew Cruise, Managing Director | | | | Before the move goes ahead, the new network's |
| of Hypercubic. | | | | cabling and network infrastructure should be in place, |
| You also get an idea of what the costs will be, | | | | conveniently ready for each labelled workstation |
| including the benefits of on-going maintenance and | | | | crate to be placed next to the correct plugs, power |
| support. Planning the installation process with a | | | | leads and phone lines. |
| professional takes the load off your shoulders and | | | | Power On: Booting-up the network |
| many thorns out of your side. | | | | Expect a few glitches; problems are inevitable with a |
| Save on downtime | | | | new network. Hiring a professional at this point is an |
| Install the new system over the weekend, this way | | | | invaluable asset. Installation support ensures that the |
| there will be minimal disruption to the business. Think | | | | company can deal with any unforeseen teething |
| about how many emails, phone calls and enquiries you | | | | problems during the initial start-up period. |
| will be missing if you move during the week. If the | | | | Lastly, don't even think about doing it yourself |
| installation takes longer, inform clients or users in | | | | Most companies, before seeking advice from |
| advance so they know what to expect. | | | | professionals, go down the DIY networking route. |
| One businessman reported, Before we moved | | | | Unless you have a qualified team, installing a network |
| offices, we sent an email to all of our clients | | | | can turn ugly and about as frustrating as unravelling |
| informing them about the move and provided all our | | | | 3000 feet of fishing line with one hand. |
| clients with contact details. Our manager received | | | | Resource Box: |
| valuable business related calls via his mobile phone | | | | Hypercubic is a London based IT Support Company |
| thanks to this pre-planning. | | | | specialising in the installation and support of computer |
| Moving valuable, sensitive equipment requires care | | | | networks. Their IT support technologies help save |
| Moving several floor-standing servers or a couple of | | | | time and effort, especially when moving a network |
| 42u racks may take more than a fat guy with a | | | | to a new location. |
| slipped disk. Depending on the size of the server | | | | |