The best way for a company to ensure the safety of their data during relocation is to use a professional company that has experience in the task. IDC Solutions has been in the business of making sure businesses have peace of mind when surrounded by potential risk for over 40 years, and is fully experienced with any conceivable disaster scenario that can befall companies.

Some of the biggest challenges that data center operators face when moving to a new data center are:

1. Developing the right migration plan.
2. Taking all necessary precautions before, during and after migration.
3. Addressing any downstream consequences of migrations.

Good planning will help your relocation go smoothly and avoid unnecessary costs and lost productivity. An IT move is more complex than simply moving furniture from one place to another. The first step in IDC Solutions’ planning is to consider three essential things:

1. Your organisation’s current technology needs.
2. Your organisation’s future technology and infrastructure needs.
3. Your budget.

Assess your new location in detail. Will the network infrastructure of the previous tenants be sufficient for you? For example, if you work in multimedia you may need to rewire the entire office if you are taking it over from an administrative company that needs only minimal bandwidth.

Ask your property manager for a detailed property plan, showing voice and data network jacks, and electrical outlets. Alternatively, draw your own plan, being careful to measure rooms accurately and show the layout of the existing infrastructure. Mark any areas where you think there may not be enough power and network access. Use the plan to try different configurations of equipment, in consultation with your co-workers and staff. And use it to plan ahead – such as adding network wiring and access points to currently unused areas, so you are ready for future office expansion.

If you plan on keeping your servers at your office, make sure you have a suitable server room. Check that your servers will fit and that it has good independent air conditioning, i.e. a supply that won’t turn warm in Winter or that air conditioning can be installed. Will the room need more data drops and is there capacity for additional servers in the future?

When it comes to installing network and phone cables, involve your installers and network professionals as soon as possible. Your pre-planning will help you to communicate your needs, both now and in the future, so that you can take advantage of their expertise when it comes to planning the implementation. A few hiccups are part of every move, but with a solid plan in place, you will reduce the potential for problems – and you will be able to resolve any that do arise much more efficiently.