Safely Transporting Your Business’s Servers and Computers

Properly packing servers, computers, and other sensitive electronics will ensure they arrive safely at your new location. 

When relocating your business, protecting your networks and equipment should be a top priority. 

Properly packing servers, computers, and other sensitive electronics will ensure they arrive safely at your new location. 

This article provides best practices for safely transporting these critical assets with a commercial moving service.

Audit All Technology Needing Secure Transport

Relocating servers, computers, and electronics requires more planning and care than boxing up desks and chairs. Being proactive will prevent downtime and damage during your company’s move.

Inform Movers About Sensitive Assets

• Provide an itemized list to your commercial movers detailing all technology that will need specialized handling. Servers, wired networks, VoIP telephones, and printing stations often have additional components that require transport protection.
• Highlight particularly high-value server infrastructure and backend databases that cannot afford any downtime or physical damage.

Prepare Networks and Hardware

• Backup data, software, and configs from servers and computers before the scheduled office moving date. This safeguards against any unlikely data losses during transit.
• Deactivate wired network connections and shut down or hibernate devices before packing to avoid connectivity issues or data syncing.
• Label all cords, peripherals, and components so movers can reconnect everything seamlessly in the new office space. Color coding with tape helps organize associated pieces.

Secure Servers and Computers Inside Protective Crates

Simply stacking vulnerable electronics loosely inside a moving truck risks shock damage, moisture issues, and displacement of components. 

Commercial office movers should professionally crate computers, servers, and other hardware using these best practices:

Prioritize Sturdy, High-Quality Crates

• Wooden crates with two-inch plank walls prevent crushing injuries or cracks better than thin cardboard.
• Attach externally facing warning labels like “Fragile! Servers – This Side Up” so movers are alerted.
• Secure all internal components in place so nothing shifts during transport. Items sliding around leads to disconnected cables or motherboard cracks.

Protect Contents With Packing Materials

• Insert foam packing peanuts, air pockets, or custom-lined bays that devices can slide securely into. Avoid any shaking or loose items rattling inside crates.
• Wrap cords neatly using velcro and affix all plugs and removable components to labeled areas to prevent loss. The group associated server parts together using zip ties.

Weigh Crates For Even Distribution

• Weigh each packed crate and calculate total load distribution so weight is apportioned evenly across the truck to prevent dangerous tipping.

Table showing example server and computer crate weights for safe balanced loading and transport.

Control Climate and Prevent Road Shock

In addition to sturdy, air-cushioned crates, environment and truck conditions merit extra planning to keep sensitive electronics functioning:

Regulate Ambient Temperature/Humidity

• Monitor dedicated climate controls and test insulation barriers to maintain cool, dry conditions inside the truck. Extreme or sudden ambient temperature/humidity fluctuations threaten IT hardware like servers during moves.

Employ Shock Absorption Solutions

• Use shock-absorbing pallet trucks for gentle loading/unloading of heavy server/computer crates. This cushion jolts from traditional forklifts and dollies.
• Specialty temperature-controlled and generators-equipped moving trucks provide clean, stable electrical power. This further safeguards mission-critical network infrastructure from harm.

By instructing specialty office movers on your servers and computers’ sensitivities and providing them with an audit, they can incorporate careful packing methods plus climate and vibration-regulated moving trucks. 

Although extra coordination is required, protecting your back-end infrastructure avoids employee downtime and revenue losses that accompany move-related technology failures. 

Investing resources in stability saves major hassles down the road while ensuring a smooth post-move transition.