Are you Relocating?

Have you thought of EVERYTHING?

Moving your business to new premises can be a very stressful time. There are a whole host of things to remember, from diverting your phone numbers to changing your stationery.

This article will hopefully lighten the load and help you to focus on what’s important.

You will need to think about such things as:

• Changing your address and phone details on your stationery, business cards, website and email signatures;
• Signing up to a new telephone & broadband provider. ISDN30 telephone lines can have up to 45 WORKING DAY lead times, so this needs to be the FIRST thing you plan for. Leased broadband lines can also have similar lead times;
• Are you able to keep your existing telephone number (unlikely if you are moving to a new Exchange);
• How many DDIs (direct dial-in numbers) will you need? These come in batches of 10. Order more than you think you’ll need as you won’t be able to go back to BT afterwards for concurrent numbers);
• Transferring your emails to the new provider (MX record changes) – timing for this is crucial to minimise disruption. Often best to make the changes on a Friday evening, so the DNS propagation can occur over a weekend. Try to avoid a ‘lift and shift’ for your Broadband – ISPs, particularly BT are notorious for making a mess of this, leaving you with no line after moving in. Best to set up a new line independently, get in all up and running, then re-point to the new IP address;
• Don’t forget the static public IP address(es) when ordering the new Broadband line if using direct SMTP mail;
• Seating plans, office furniture and network points – be as conservative as possible on network and telephone points;
• Do you need additional PCs, servers or telephony equipment at the new office?
• Consider your printing, scanning and consumable requirements;
• Does the new office have network cabling in place and with enough capacity? We tend to work on a general rule of 3 network points per person – a typical user would need a PC point, a telephone point, and perhaps a point for a network printer or separate laptop;
• Consider where to situate your wireless devices – will you need wireless repeaters in certain areas?
• If you have your own server, telephone and network switch, will there be somewhere to house it? Does it need air conditioning / cooling? Will the noise be disruptive in its location? Will it be in a dust-free environment?
• You will need to inform all your existing contacts that you are moving, either by post or via email (preferably both);
• Once settled in, inform your clients about the success of your move. You may even wish to arrange an ‘office warming’ party for your clients;
• Open the Champagne!

We have many years of experience of moving Small Businesses in a stress-free manner.

Please contact us for assistance on 08445 44 44 45.

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