Technology Moved
Moving
into a different house or office can be
very stressful, though many moving
companies offer practical tips for the
packing and relocation of your goods. So
how can you ensure that everything goes
to plan with all of the technology that
you rely on? This month we offer 10 tips
for moving your technology.
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Weeks before:
1.
Scheduling
– Where possible, schedule the
actual move to happen over a
weekend, giving you extra
valuable hours to sort out any
technology problems before the
next business day arrives.
2. Internet & phone
– Give your internet provider as
much notice as possible
(preferably up to 21 days) so
they have time to arrange
everything that needs to happen
behind the scenes. Some internet
connection types work off
telephone lines and can be
dependent upon confirmation of
your new phone connection or
phone number. Make sure you’ve
notified your phone company too
(if they are a different company
than your internet provider).
3. Cable guy
- If you need to connect
multiple computers at your new
location, find a quality,
approved cabling installer and
again give them as much notice
as possible. Usually they can
handle both your phone and data
requirements, ensuring that you
have the correct number of
connections.
4. Troubleshooter
– Let your local Computer
Troubleshooter know of your move
date, even if you plan on moving
your technology yourself. If
things don’t go smoothly and you
need expert help, you’d like
your Troubleshooter to be there
as soon as possible, so advanced
notice of a ‘possible call’ can
help with their work scheduling.
5. Emergency supplies
– Moving can throw in unexpected
challenges like equipment not
functioning once it has been
moved and it can be difficult to
source replacement parts at
short notice (especially on
weekends or after business
hours).
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Identify what technology
hardware is mission critical to
your business and discuss with
your local Troubleshooter what
your options would be should it
fail.
6. Worst case scenario
– Have a ‘Plan B’ for how your
business could operate if
nothing was ready at your new
location when you expected
it. Maybe the meeting
rooms/faxing service etc at the
local hotel could be an option,
or maybe you would survive from
home with a laptop and a mobile,
wireless internet service?
Just before:
7. Backup, backup, backup
- Ensure that you have a
current, valid, tested backup
before you move critical
equipment like laptops and
servers! This may take a bit of
extra effort, but now is not
right time to find out that your
backups have been failing or
your backup media is unreadable.
8. Mobile office
– If you have laptops, use them
as a quick repository for
critical business information
whilst everything else is in
transit or in boxes. This could
include copying your accounting
information or customer database
to them and installing the
necessary software applications.
Moving day:
9. Priorities
- make your internet and network
connections the first priority
of your move, using a laptop to
test this before other computers
are setup. If you had to put up
with boxes or sit on the floor
on Monday morning, at least your
customers could still email you.
10. Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3
- Test that EVERYTHING works ..
phones, email, printer
etc. Don’t take it for granted
that just because you can browse
the internet, you can
send/receive email.
Talk to your local
Troubleshooter about your moving
plans and good luck!
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