The Right Way to Relocate a Data Center
Data Center Moves are an inevitable part of corporate and office life. No matter how long you work somewhere, there is always the prospect that you'll have to move to a new venue. The problem with this is that over the years, data builds up, work stations become set, people start to feel concerned when they think about moving. There is a tendency to be careless, or irresponsible about server moves, but firms with IT centers and server racks to relocate have no room for indulging.
Nowadays, firms are heavily reliant on their data information centers and IT departments. An ill-planned move or one that overlooks key details may lead to computer equipment being damaged, destroyed or worse yet, data being lost. This is inevitable owing to the sensitivity and fragility of complicated server room equipment. This equipment is expensive to replace and on top of that, store crucial data. Even if the data is backed-up, some time will be needed to replace damaged equipment and or data, which can lead to additional downtime on top of what is inevitable during a server room move. As we all know time is money. The following are some tips to help you save, time and money when moving computer equipment.
Hire Professional IT Movers: When it comes to data center relocation, professionalism, experience and service is king. You may think about hiring the computer equipment moving company that is the cheapest, but that will always cost you extra whether it's in damaged goods, lost data or hidden add on costs.
Data Center Moves aren't a regular thing, so think of them as investments. Data center migration is very much unlike regular equipment moving, which probably you and some employees can manage on your own. Data center relocation however, demands computer movers have experience and know-how of IT moving project management, IT operations, and network operations.
Find a service provider that caters specifically to the needs of a Data center move. IT movers, the best ones, will provide you with professional support, good service, and a reprieve from worrying. Most importantly they should make you look good to your boss!
Before hiring a firm, just make sure you have pertinent details of your move in hand so you can relay them to the IT movers.
Plan Ahead:
Miscalculations in locations, power and over-heating, equipment damage, and HVAC capacities can disrupt service and IT functions if the planning is poor. Take plenty of time before each move and think about every single detail. Your plan needs to be thorough and needs to be understood by both the IT movers and your IT department and could possibly be in a day-to-day form.
Large data center migrations may take days, or even a week, so plan out what will be done on each day.
Additional Services:
Moves, depending on their scale and type, often require alternative means and offer opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. A computer room move is a good time to do maintenance on your computer equipment and servers and could be done while you're backing up your data. There is also the question of physical maintenance. Some moving companies offer services to clean up dirt and grime from your devices, which can prevent them from overheating, increase their efficiency, and extend their life.
You may want to look for firms with ground-based cranes in you have particularly heavy equipment. You may also want special trays and pallets to transport your computer boxes safely in. Before lugging around so much equipment, think of what equipment is outdated and you can do without. This will reduce transportation cost and fees. Some service providers even help you with the demolition and disposal of obsolete equipment.
Hidden Opportunities
Data center relocation is something fraught with risk and will mean an interruption in your services to clients. This is the ideal opportunity to impress clients and build rock solid relationships with them. Tell them about the move, and when they can expect disruptions in service. Open up to them and explain why the move is necessary and how it will improve the quality of your service or products. Stay available for any questions or feedback that they may have for you.
Moving also serves as a drill for "real" situations that are of much higher importance. The experience gained from a difficult move will help your staff become more efficient and customer-oriented. Their learnings can also be applied to things like disaster recovery, IT and physical security, and business continuity planning.
Nowadays, firms are heavily reliant on their data information centers and IT departments. An ill-planned move or one that overlooks key details may lead to computer equipment being damaged, destroyed or worse yet, data being lost. This is inevitable owing to the sensitivity and fragility of complicated server room equipment. This equipment is expensive to replace and on top of that, store crucial data. Even if the data is backed-up, some time will be needed to replace damaged equipment and or data, which can lead to additional downtime on top of what is inevitable during a server room move. As we all know time is money. The following are some tips to help you save, time and money when moving computer equipment.
Hire Professional IT Movers: When it comes to data center relocation, professionalism, experience and service is king. You may think about hiring the computer equipment moving company that is the cheapest, but that will always cost you extra whether it's in damaged goods, lost data or hidden add on costs.
Data Center Moves aren't a regular thing, so think of them as investments. Data center migration is very much unlike regular equipment moving, which probably you and some employees can manage on your own. Data center relocation however, demands computer movers have experience and know-how of IT moving project management, IT operations, and network operations.
Find a service provider that caters specifically to the needs of a Data center move. IT movers, the best ones, will provide you with professional support, good service, and a reprieve from worrying. Most importantly they should make you look good to your boss!
Before hiring a firm, just make sure you have pertinent details of your move in hand so you can relay them to the IT movers.
Plan Ahead:
Miscalculations in locations, power and over-heating, equipment damage, and HVAC capacities can disrupt service and IT functions if the planning is poor. Take plenty of time before each move and think about every single detail. Your plan needs to be thorough and needs to be understood by both the IT movers and your IT department and could possibly be in a day-to-day form.
Large data center migrations may take days, or even a week, so plan out what will be done on each day.
- Set a day for backing up all your data in the very beginning.
- Think about how you'll keep your firm running partially running if that's the plan.
- Delineate, design, and delegate roles to your personnel, so everyone knows what they are liable for.
- Get adequate insurance, make allowances for damages in your budget for the relocation, and develop a disaster response plan.
- Give a copy of your plans and layout to the computer moving company. This will help them adjust to your needs better. Consider inviting them to move meetings too.
Additional Services:
Moves, depending on their scale and type, often require alternative means and offer opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. A computer room move is a good time to do maintenance on your computer equipment and servers and could be done while you're backing up your data. There is also the question of physical maintenance. Some moving companies offer services to clean up dirt and grime from your devices, which can prevent them from overheating, increase their efficiency, and extend their life.
You may want to look for firms with ground-based cranes in you have particularly heavy equipment. You may also want special trays and pallets to transport your computer boxes safely in. Before lugging around so much equipment, think of what equipment is outdated and you can do without. This will reduce transportation cost and fees. Some service providers even help you with the demolition and disposal of obsolete equipment.
Hidden Opportunities
Data center relocation is something fraught with risk and will mean an interruption in your services to clients. This is the ideal opportunity to impress clients and build rock solid relationships with them. Tell them about the move, and when they can expect disruptions in service. Open up to them and explain why the move is necessary and how it will improve the quality of your service or products. Stay available for any questions or feedback that they may have for you.
Moving also serves as a drill for "real" situations that are of much higher importance. The experience gained from a difficult move will help your staff become more efficient and customer-oriented. Their learnings can also be applied to things like disaster recovery, IT and physical security, and business continuity planning.
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