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