Your company can’t run or turn a profit without those bulky servers or oversized vinyl printers, but how do you plan to move all this equipment when it’s time to upgrade to a bigger and better facility? Many companies leave behind their own equipment and simply purchase replacements upon arrival since it can be such a hassle to relocate with big machinery. However, this is a waste when proper planning and the right team mates can make the move go so smoothly you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Hire a Professional Moving Company
Your first step in this process should be to hire a company who is experienced in making these kinds of commercial moves. That means hiring a company with the proper transportation, knowledge and skill needed to handle this type of equipment. They will know what precautions to take to make sure electronics are packed correctly and are in the proper environment, and you will sleep easier knowing your business will be back up and running in no time.
Make A Plan
Every move needs a plan, but commercial relocations with big equipment need a very detailed itinerary. The best moves happen in chunks so you can get at least some of your servers or other machinery back online before having to move the rest of the equipment. Known as a sequential or segmented relocation, this type of move requires good coordination between your relocation services provider, employees and the owners of both the new and old facilities. Duplicating equipment by ordering new pieces and starting them before the move also works, but it costs a lot more than a well-planned transition.
Keep Things Together
Aside from having to drain hazardous fluids that can’t be transported by road, try to keep each piece of machinery as intact as possible. While filled server racks and assembled stamping presses are much heavier, the movers can compensate for that fact with high quality hydraulic lifts. It takes much less time to move in and connect a complete piece of equipment than it does to figure out where each server and switch fits back in the rack. Reassembling electronics is especially challenging because you need expertise to make sure everything is reconnected the right way.
Don’t Forget Backup
It’s always possible for a piece of equipment to go missing or get damaged in the move, no matter how carefully the professionals handle each box and crate. You can just replace manufacturing machinery, but high-tech servers, computers and other electronics contain data that isn’t so easily replaced. Transition to a cloud-based backup system at least a few weeks before you start packing up so that there’s no information lost just because of a physical mistake.
Invest In Better Packing Materials
Sensitive printers, servers and high tech sensors require more than just some packing peanuts to protect them during relocation. While jostling and bumping is still a threat, so is static electricity, moisture and heat. Discuss the sensitivities of each piece of equipment being moved so that the movers can arrive with plenty of wraps on hand. There are space-age foams that block heat and dissipate electricity during transit, and managing moisture simply requires sealed plastic enclosures and a little extra care during packing and unpacking.