Every office needs to stay online as much as possible during an office move. If your network is not up and running or you’re unable to make calls, it can affect your business. So, just exactly how do you move your office technology seamlessly? Follow our five tips, and you’ll be unpacked and online in no time.

1. Plan Ahead for Technical Requirements

Don’t leave thinking about your technology requirements in the new office space until the last minute. There are some essentials to consider when mapping your move, such as:

–How many phone lines do you need?

–How many Cat 5 cables are required?

–How many power outlets are needed?

But, there are plenty more. So, to make sure you don’t lose track, follow a detailed checklist.

2. Take a Full Inventory

Now that you’ve mapped the requirements take an inventory of all your current technology. If you have outdated equipment or anything that needs replacing, now is the time to order new stock, and have these items delivered to your new location.

3. Protect Your Data

Protecting your data is essential to ensuring a safe office move. We recommend having several backup copies including firewalls and server information. Make sure that a full recovery of data is possible. This information should be kept separate from the equipment for moving.

4. Think About the ‘Offline’ Interim

Before you switch off computers and unplug the telephone lines, think about the interim period of your move. Ask yourself how long you expect to be offline and the impact this will have.

There are a few options for how to handle this. One possibility includes updating your central business hotline with a tailored answering message. Indicate when you expect to be open for business-as-usual along with the new address and contact information. Another option is to choose to forward all calls to an assigned a team to handle the phone lines during the move.

You should also add a note to employee email signatures a few weeks or months in advance of the move to inform people of both the moving date and the new address/contact information. Update other social media like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram business accounts as well.

5. Pack for Success

Computer hardware such as monitors, servers, and printers should be carefully bubble wrapped and clearly labeled. Request that each employee be responsible for ensuring that their desk area and their technology equipment are marked and adequately secure.

To ensure items are placed in the correct location in the new office color code department and number or name equipment to each person. For example, computer 001 is placed on the desk with telephone 001. Label each chord with a folded post-it note which clearly states its purpose and number, and secure it in a bag.

Finally, place these items in a specialized box and fill gaps with soft cushioning. Label everything as ‘fragile’ and ‘technology’.

Enjoy Your New Office!

Getting the technology-element of your office move determined provides a happy and smooth transition for both the business and your customers. Get it wrong, and it can result in delays in the business function.

Avoid the stress and follow these five easy steps to a stress-free office move. All you have to do now is sit back, relax and enjoy your new space.

Need help with your office move? Contact Browning Moving & Storage for assistance.

While preparing for a move we’ve all reached that point when we’re scratching our heads, knee deep in bubble wrap, desperately trying to figure out how to best pack our belongings. Read on for a list of some top moving tips and hacks that actually work. Get ready to say goodbye to a problematic moving day.

1. Secure Screws and Hardware

Place furniture screws and accessories into a small Ziploc bag, label the container, and attach it to the corresponding piece of furniture with painter’s tape. Make sure you only attach the bag to the back or underside of the furniture so that the tape does not cause damage.

2. Transport Books in a Suitcase With Wheels

Save space and potential back problems by packing books into suitcases with wheels. It will not only be easy to transport, but you also won’t have to lift heavy items.

3. Leave Clothes On Hangers

Instead of taking the clothes off the hangers and packing up both the clothes and the hangers, leave them hanging. Simply keep your wardrobe on the hangers and place a plastic drawstring garbage bag over the top. Now you can easily take them off the closet rod in your old home to the closet in your new home.

4. Plastic Wrap Your Drawers

Sorting the clothes from your drawers is time-consuming, and the clothes take up space in additional boxes. To save your sanity, use plastic wrap around your drawers and tape the ends down on the plastic wrap only. To avoid damage be careful to never place tape directly on the dresser. Your belongings will stay in place, and you won’t have to unpack each one for the movers.

5. Place Bedding in Pillow Cases

Bedding is bulky and can be difficult to pack. Instead, put bedding sets inside pillowcases. Not only does this keep the bedding together as a set, but it also saves on space.

6. Cover Tops of Liquids in Plastic Wrap Before Putting the Lid On

Transporting liquid items can be tricky. A bottle of liquid can cause damage to belongings during a move if it spills. To avoid a messy mishap, cover the top of the container with a little plastic wrap before screwing on the lid.

7. Stow Away Knives Safely

Wrap your knives in packing paper and place them in an oven mitt to safely store for the move. Place a piece of duct tape across the oven mitt and write “knives” so that whoever is handling that item is cautious of the contents.

8. Take Photos of Your Electronics

Before disconnecting your electronics, use your smartphone to take a few photos of how the cables are configured. Refer back to the pictures on the other end of your move when setting up your electronics. This will save you time and frustration in the end.

9. Be Creative With Containers

Find containers around your house to substitute for boxes. For instance, use kitchen pots to pack small kitchen items such as spices and gadgets. Also, use available baskets, bins, hampers, and clean wastebaskets to pack other things. This will help save on boxes.

10. Pack a Cooler for Moving Day

With the chaos of moving day, it’s easy to get dehydrated and hungry. Fill a cooler with water, Gatorade, snacks, and sandwiches so that you can keep your energy up during the day. Bring the cooler with you in the car so that it is readily available when needed.

Our list is tried and tested, with great results! Follow these to make moving a bit easier. Need help with your move, contact Browning Moving & Storage.

Just like humans, pets may find moving to a new house stressful. The moving process itself is disruptive to a pet’s routine. Couple that with unfamiliar surroundings and the whole experience is very unsettling. Here are our top tips on how to keep your little furry and feathered friends happy during the move.

1. Prepare Your Pet

If you need to use a kennel for the move, prepare your pet by introducing it a few weeks beforehand. Put comfy bedding and pet treats in it for them to find. Then when it comes to moving day, they will already be accustomed to entering the kennel.

2. Know State Laws

Be sure to update your contact details with your vet If you are moving locally.

Since pet regulations vary significantly by state,  if you are moving interstate, contact the state veterinarian and the town hall to learn about pet regulations and license fees.

3. Update Your Pet’s ID

Pets moving to a new location can find it confusing and often get lost in their new surroundings. It is essential to have a pet identification tag made. You could use a simple luggage tag and write your pet’s name, your name, destination address, and telephone number. Or, visit a local pet supply shop to have one made and attached to the collar.

Also, make sure that you update your pet’s microchip registration information so that If your pet gets lost, you can be contacted at your current location.

4. Keep Pets Away From the Action

It’s best for animals of all shapes and sizes to be kept far away from the busy moving day activities. Put them in a quiet room and keep the door shut. Or, if possible, have a neighbor or friend pet-sit that day with your pet at their house.

5. Drive Your Pet to the New House

Federal regulations state that moving companies cannot carry animals in vans. Driving your pet yourself is the best option to ease their stress levels. Pack a pet travel kit that includes familiar bedding, a leash, treats, water, a favorite toy, and cleanup equipment.

Cover bird cages with a towel or light fabric during transportation. Remove water from the cage to avoid spillage but provide regular water throughout the trip.

6. Traveling by Plane

If your move requires you to transport your pet by plane, make sure you do thorough research. Each airline has its own rules and regulations concerning pet transport. You might need to microchip your pet, have a current Rabies Vaccine, and a recent Fit to Fly Health (APHIS 7001) Certificate.

Contact your airline directly for its specific requirements.

7. Staying Overnight

If you need to spend a day or two overnight in a hotel, then visit petswelcome.com to search for pet-friendly hotels along your route.  

8. Introduce the New House Slowly

Do not let your pet out of their cage or kennel until you are in the house ready to unpack. If your pet’s bedding and a familiar spot in the old house was the kitchen, place their bedding there and start by introducing that one room. When they feel settled, introduce another room. Carry on until they know and feel comfortable in the whole house.

9. Create Familiarity

Animals are accustomed to their usual routine and surroundings so replicate these in the new home. For example, if the water bowl is usually next to the back door then position it there in the new house.

10. Familiarizing Your Pet With the Neighborhood

After moving to the new home and introducing the rooms, walk your dog around the block. Take time to let them become used to their surroundings and the smells.

If your cat is an outdoor cat do not let him outside until he is familiar with his surroundings. Expect this to take a few weeks.

One Big Happy Family!

Follow these simple tips, and your pet will soon adjust to its new surroundings. We’re here to help move you, your loved ones, and your pets to your new house. Contact us for a quote today.