A lot is happening when you’re preparing your office for a relocation. Packing supplies are everywhere, people are constantly moving around, and you’ve still got to find time to get work done! Then there’s the IT equipment to consider. If your business is technology-heavy, it’ll be essential for you to take inventory and pack carefully. If you’re uncomfortable with doing that yourself, hire Maffucci Moving & Storage office movers to do it for you. 

MMaffucci, with over ten decades of experience, is the Northeast’s leading office relocation company, offering comprehensive office moving services. Our professional commercial movers are uniquely qualified to handle IT equipment, providing top-notch transit protection and carefully planned move-ins. We understand the importance of minimizing your business’s downtime and will work to get you back in action as soon as possible. From checking out your new location to doing the heavy lifting on move-in day and more, Maffucci provides full-service moving solutions designed to minimize disruptions in your day-to-day operations.

IT Equipment Relocation 101

Moving is never a simple task. Office relocations require handling a lot of heavy equipment, an endless stream of miscellaneous supplies, and sensitive documents. If you keep everything organized, you’ll be able to do most of it with little assistance. But, when you get to the step where you’re packing boxes, how can you be sure IT equipment is safely situated? The easiest way is to call on the help of a specialized moving service, like the one provided by Maffucci. Our dedicated IT movers will work with you to properly pack, store, and transport your items to ensure they arrive in perfect condition. If you only plan on using movers on move-in day, pay close attention to the following IT equipment relocation tips. 

• Make a list. You should do this before you even start packing. Take Inventory of everything in the office and make a list of what needs to go to the new office, what can be donated, and what can be thrown away. This will allow you to streamline the packing process.
• Consult your IT specialist. Discuss the new location with your resident IT specialist to ensure the new space will accommodate technical needs. Also, be sure to include them in creating the moving plan to best determine how to disconnect and move equipment. 
• Prep the new space. Ensuring the new office is ready for set-up before move-in will save time and reduce downtime by having the IT infrastructure ready. Double-check that there are plenty of outlets and network ports. 
• Gather supplies ahead of time. Start purchasing moving equipment as soon as you know you’re relocating. Supplies you’ll want include boxes, labels, scissors, tape, foam padding or bubble wrap, and padded dividers. 
• Clean equipment. Before packing items, be sure to clean them well. Sanitizing your equipment will prevent bacteria from following you to your new location. Plus, you’ll be able to set things up quicker, only needing to give them a light dusting than if you leave it for after. 
• Pack with a plan. Using your inventory list, pack like items together. For example, paper, pens, sticky notes, and other such supplies should stay together. Extension cords, extra power cords, and similar items should be included. Pack like this box by box until everything is ready to be moved.
• Label, label, label. While packing boxes, remember to label them clearly with their contents and whether or not they’re fragile. This will allow you to locate needed items quickly when unpacking and reduce your chance of confusion. 

Protecting Your Data

Computers are a sort of vault for data. To protect the information within them during the move, back it up beforehand. We recommend using external hard drives, cloud storage, or backup servers to keep it safe. Before moving, check all equipment for potential problems. Noises or lights could indicate a problem with the drive your data is on, which means it’s more susceptible to getting broken from bumps or scrapes during transit. You most likely won’t encounter any problems that can actually damage the data while moving, but you could very well drop a computer. If that happens, retrieving the data from inside might be impossible if it hasn’t been backed up.

Exercise caution when handling sensitive hardware like servers or data centers. Your business must implement strong security measures and strict access controls to protect data. This may include keycards, security cameras, and biometric identification. System health should be regularly monitored to perform preventative maintenance, and critical data should always be backed up immediately. Ensure cybersecurity protocols are updated with strong firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and data encryption. You should have optimal environmental conditions for tech with reliable HVAC and fire suppression systems.

Your IT Relocation Questions, Answered

Relocating an office filled with valuable IT equipment and data can be nerve-wracking. To keep your nerves as steady as possible throughout the process, keep a close eye on the chain of custody. Things will most likely get misplaced when many people handle them, so document EVERYTHING. We’re sure you’ve got plenty of questions about relocating. Let’s answer a few of the most common questions we’ve received over the years. 

How can I minimize downtime and ensure a smooth transition?

Working with a specialist is the best way to minimize downtime and ensure a smooth transition during an office relocation. A moving company that offers specialized services, such as handling IT equipment, is the safest and most efficient option. Maffucci’s office relocation service guarantees transit protection for your items. Our team is thoroughly trained to keep the risk of damage low while moving quickly to get you set up as soon as possible. 

Should I hire professional movers or handle the IT equipment myself?

If you’re even remotely uncomfortable with moving IT equipment, hire a team of experienced professional electronics movers. Hiring movers who know the ins and outs of handling sensitive equipment will minimize the chance of damage. Maffucci’s specialized movers will protect your most fragile items during relocation. If you’re unsure about experts moving your equipment, consider temporarily placing it in a trusted storage facility to keep it safe from common moving hazards.

What must I do to prepare my network infrastructure for the move?

To prepare your IT infrastructure for the move, start by forming a plan with your IT specialist. They’re best equipped to tell you what you’ll need for the new space and its best configuration. Also, assess your current IT equipment with your specialist to determine what you have and need to buy. This is a good time to say bye-bye to any outdated items you still have lying around. You’ll want to examine your current network to see where it can be strengthened during set-up at the new office, back up all data, and prepare your network for migration using the right tools and transfer techniques. 

Maffucci Moving & Storage. Relocating Has Never Been Easier.

Moving an entire office space is a big and overwhelming commitment. So, why are you trying to do it on your own? Seek assistance from a professional team of movers prepared to handle a move of any scope. Office relocation experts from Maffucci ensure your items make it to your new office on time and without damage through a carefully designed system utilizing marking and tagging. As a full-service moving company, we can help you secure elevators for easy moving, determine the appropriate hours for loading and unloading, and ensure the appropriate insurance and COI coverage is obtained. Our team will also assist you in disassembling and assembling furniture again, securely storing confidential documents, and removing unwanted office items. 

Contact Maffucci Moving & Storage today to ensure a seamless and secure relocation of your IT equipment. Our expert movers specialize in office relocations and can help you minimize downtime while safeguarding your technology. Get a free consultation and customized moving plan now!