Checklist For Disconnecting And Reconnecting Computers For Moving

Posted on November 30, 2020 by jstfort

Checklist For Disconnecting And Reconnecting Computers For Moving

Moving computer equipment from one location to another is highly vulnerable to damage and other moving hazards. Loss of information, missing parts, and loss of time in shipping and setting up can be crucial, especially to business continuity.

Whether you are moving home or setting up a new office, it’s essential to have a plan to protect sensitive data. Disconnecting and reconnecting quickly and efficiently will ensure you can be up and running with less stress and downtime. Here’s a checklist to help you disconnect and reconnect your computer:

Make a Master List

Make a list of your computers, equipment and accessories, and where they will sit in the new location. The list should include:

Monitors
Towers
Adapters
Keypads
Mouse
Cables
Routers
Speakers
Webcams
Headphones
Power cords
Surge protectors
Other special accessories

Label Your Equipment

After your master list, start labeling each item. If you’re in an office setting, with multiple units, it’s important to label each piece of equipment. It ensures that each user gets the same setup and other configurations at their new location.

Backup Your Systems

Backing up your data is another critical area to consider in helping to protect your information in the event of loss, damage, or delays. Some experts also suggest making more than one back up provision to ensure security.

Packing

Packing computers requires careful handling and the best packing methods possible to ensure your items arrive intact.

Some materials include:

Bubble wrap
Soft wrapping paper
Storage Boxes
Blankets
Sheets
Towels
Plastic Bags
Rubber bands
Twist ties
Markers
Packaging tape
Scissors

Here’s How to Pack Each Item Successfully:

Desktops

After backing up and labeling your essential data, start to pack your equipment. For desktops

Switch the monitor off
Take out the cables from the tower
Measure the monitor and tower to get the right size box to store them
Observe how the connections work to help you reconnect in the correct order. You can make a separate how-to list or take some pictures.
Place some soft material or bubble wrap at the base of the box
Wrap the computer tower in a few sheets of wrapping paper
Seal the edges with packing tape
Follow up with a few layers of bubble wrap for extra padding
Seal the sides of the bubble wrap with packing tape
Place the tower upright into the packing box

If there are any spaces between the tower and the box, fill them in with pieces of cloth, paper, or bubble wrap to keep the tower steady when shipping.

Test the box with a light shake to ensure there’s no shifting. Add extra padding if necessary.
Close the lid and seal with tape and label it appropriately.
Packing the components and accessories
Organize the cables, mouse, adapters, power cords, headphones, webcams, and other accessories in appropriate groups. It will help save time when reconnecting.
Fold each part loosely to avoid any damage.
Wrap the parts with rubber bands or twist ties to hold them in place.
Use some sheets of bubble wrap to cover the parts.
Place in plastic bags and then in the storage boxes.

Packing Computer Monitors

Your computer monitor is one of the most critical parts of your computer system. Therefore, it’s necessary to ensure you pack it properly to protect the screen from cracks, scratches, or other damage. Here are some tips:

Remove the stand base from the monitor
Wrap it in sheets of paper, and finish with bubble wrap
Cover the screen with lots of bubble wrap
Tape it all around, but be careful not to touch the screen with the tape.
Place another layer of bubble wrap around the screen for extra padding
Put the monitor in the moving box and set it upright.
The screen should sit facing an inner wall of the monitor packaging box.

Next, fill in any extra spaces with paper, cloths, or bubble wrap to avoid friction between the monitor and screen. Give the box a light shake to ensure it is stable. Close the box, tape, and label it.

Packing Laptops and Their Accessories

Here’s how to package your laptops, adapters, and chargers. A laptop bag is an ideal place to store and transport your equipment to your new location.

Switch the laptop off.
Close it down and detach the adapter, cables and other, components.
Gently fold the adapter and secure it with some rubber bands.
Place it in a plastic bag.
Put the package in the socket within the laptop bag.

If there’s No Laptop Bag:

Label each part and place similar items together with accompanying devices for easy retrieval when reconnecting.

Cover the computer with packing paper, and then bubble wrap. Alternatively, you may also use a blanket, sheet, or some towels to cushion the parts.

Place the laptop inside your luggage, carry-on bag, or packing box.

Reconnecting Your Computers

Now that you are in your new location, here are some suggestions for reconnecting your computers:

Laptops

Some experts suggest allowing at least one day before reconnecting your computer. It ensures your system can adjust to any changes in temperature at your new location.
Unpack the cables, adapters, and other accessories and connect to your laptop according to your manual.
Plug into the outlet.
Switch on the laptop and let it boot up.
Make any diagnostic tests to ensure the system is up and running correctly.

Reconnecting Desktops

Take the desktop out of the packing box.

Take off the packing material

Set the tower, monitor, keypad, mouse, and accessories in the setup area

Attach the cable to the monitor port to the back of the tower case

Plug the cable into the monitor

Attach any screws to the tower where necessary

Keyboard

Attach the keyboard by plugging in the connector cable into the socket at the back of the tower

Mouse

Attach the mouse connector to the correct portal at the rear of the computer. If the mouse is wireless, connect the Bluetooth adapter to the system as necessary.

Accessories

Attach headphones, speakers, and other accessories using the audio portal on your computer. Look for the appropriate color when attaching each item in their port.

Connect the Power

Attach the power cords to the back of the computer, and then into the surge protector. Next, connect the monitor to the surge protector. Plug the surge protector cord into the wall socket and switch on the surge protector.

If you’re not using a surge protector, plug the computer cord directly into the outlet. Turn on the computer and troubleshoot to ensure it is running correctly.

Conclusion

Moving your computer and equipment is a delicate act. It requires using the right packaging materials and techniques to ensure you protect your sensitive information and equipment from potential damage.

Making a checklist is an excellent way to keep track of your equipment, and to help you reconnect in a seamless and stress-free way. The list will help you locate the items and accompanying accessories and save on setup time. If you are planning an upcoming office move be sure to click here for a free estimate

Where to Donate Old Office Furniture

Posted on July 10, 2019 by rhunt

Typically, office furniture that has reached the end of its life goes into a dumpster after liquidation. Most businesses just want their old stuff out of sight and out of mind. However, there is another option: donation.

Olympia helps many different organizations liquidate their unwanted inventory and funnel it to charities and non-profits. Here are some organizations you might be able to partner with to donate your gently used office furniture.

International Recycling Network

The International Recycling Network is a recycling network out of New Hampshire that works with colleges, corporations, hospitals, and other large organizations. Olympia has been in partnership with the IRN for over five years. We assist them in loading, storing, and delivering large quantities of furniture to classrooms and offices in need of supplies.

Green Standards

Green Standard is a recycling company that has worked with companies like Adobe and KPMG to recycle and re-purpose old office furniture. Their method combines recycling, resale, and donation to prevent large amounts of furniture going to landfill. For more details the process, visit their How It Works page.

Food for the Poor

Food for the Poor is a non-profit organization working out of 17 countries in the Caribbean and South America. Their primary activities revolve around providing food for impoverished communities, but they also build and furnish safe homes in said communities. In May 2019, Olympia facilitated the delivery of gym lockers and sports equipment liquidated from Boston University to Jamaica.

My Brother’s Keeper

My Brother’s Keeper is a Christian ministry in Massachusetts that provides furniture and food to those in need. In the past, Olympia has assisted their volunteers with loading and transporting inventory.Unfortunately, they do not accept deliveries. However, they will come and pick up unwanted furniture.

A Wider Circle

A Wider Circle is a Maryland-based organization focused on raising families and individuals out of poverty. Although they mainly look for donations of basic need items, Olympia has worked with them on bulk furniture donations.

Clearly, there are a variety of organization to choose from. Depending on what your business needs, there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Of course, location is key to making the donation process work for you. If the examples provided don’t make logistic sense, a little research will help you find a suitable option closer to your business.

Regardless, when it comes to furniture liquidation, a professional moving company can help handle the heavy lifting.

Want to donate your office’s old furniture? Call Olympia to schedule a proposal meeting at 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

How Can Moving Services Help Colleges and Universities?

Posted on June 20, 2019June 26, 2019 by rhunt

Olympia Office Movers participates in hundreds of interesting projects for colleges and universities. We have helped schools from Austin to Boston with a variety of unique challenges. Here is quick overview of some of the services we provide.

Dorm Move-In Services for Colleges and Universities

At the start of the semester, Olympia helps students move into their dorms. Our services have been used by Northeastern University and Bentley University, among others. We also donate our moving services to Special Olympics Massachusetts to assist athletes being housed on participating campuses.

Student Summer Storage Services

With our long-term client, College Boxes, Olympia has helped students move out of their dorms for over a decade. Students pack their own belongings with College Boxes’ packing supplies and then Olympia picks them up and brings them to storage. Harvard, Boston University, and Georgetown have all relied on Olympia and College Boxes to clear their dorms for the summer.

Read our Harvard & College Boxes Case Study for more on this partnership.

Installation

Olympia crews can install desks, furniture, and other fixtures in classrooms, dormitories, and buildings around campus. Whether a university is opening a new building or refreshing an old one, our team can meet the school’s installation needs.

Resource Shuffling

Olympia provides crews to shuffle the contents of dorms, classrooms, and laboratories. These services are especially crucial for schools with multiple campuses. For example, in the event that the desks of Classroom A are being replaced with new models, Olympia can move the older desks into Classroom B on a different campus.

For a closer look at the depths of our service, check out Tufts University Facilities & Logistics.

Asset Management and Storage

A few universities have used Olympia’s services to reuse furniture and save money and the environment. Olympia has worked with some schools to move their old inventory, such as desks, chairs, tables, and cabinets, into storage. When a need for these items arises elsewhere on campus, the school checks the online inventory with Olympia to see if there are items to reuse before purchasing new ones. The school “orders” the old inventory, and Olympia delivers the furniture to its new home on campus.

Renovation and Liquidation Services

Renovations often include the disposal of furniture and inventory that has reach the end of its life. Olympia can remove then liquidate or recycle unwanted furniture. For a more detailed look at our furniture recycling work, read this Brandeis University Furniture Removal case study.

Dorm Reset

In order to prepare for new residents in the next school year, universities need the man power to reset hundreds of dorm rooms at the end of the semester. This means setting bed frames back to their original heights, ensuring the correct arrangement of furniture in each room, and taking notes on room condition for repairs over the summer. Our crews halve the workload of campus facilities so that repairs and updates can be made much quicker.

Learn about a dorm reset with Boston University.

Disconnect/Reconnect

Our crews can handle sophisticated operations like technology disconnects and reconnects. Classroom renovations and resource shuffles usually require these services. Our crews have experience disconnecting and reconnecting technology for many departments and colleges.

Event Logistics

Graduations, conferences, and other events need careful planning. A professional team of movers can provide the logistics support required for things to run smoothly. Set up, break down, and every task in between can be assigned to a moving crew. Olympia has picked up, stored, and later delivered event furniture for organizers who’ve lacked sufficient storage space.

Could your university use the help of a moving crew? Call Olympia to schedule a proposal meeting at 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

6 Ways Restaurants Can Use A Professional Moving Company

Posted on June 11, 2019 by rhunt

Restaurants are rarely need to move. In fact, the measure of a restaurant could be whether it has become an institution in its current location. Tacconelli’s Pizzeria in Philadelphia has been in the same spot since the 1920s and is still so popular that customers have to call ahead to reserve pizza dough. Tune In, a local favorite in Washington, D.C, has sat in the same spot on Capitol Hill since 1947. And, J.J. Foley’s Cafe in Boston has been a city-wide favorite for Irish pub food since 1909.

Clearly, moving usually isn’t a hallmark of the most successful restaurants. However, there is still a lot that a professional moving company can do for your restaurant. Here are just a few:

Updating Interiors

Old, cracked vinyl diner booths still hold just as much charm today as they did in 1950. However, not all old restaurant furniture can say the same. If you need to ditch your worn tables and chairs, a professional moving company can be very helpful. If you plan on getting rid of larger items like stoves, bars, large dining tables, and appliances, a professional moving company becomes crucial.

So, you’re getting rid of old furniture, what are you going to do with it? Common practice would be to just throw it out, but using a professional moving company means you might have other choices. Furniture is an under-looked but highly sought after donation to non-profit organizations looking to furnish public spaces. A professional moving company can remove unwanted furniture from your restaurant and then store it and transport it to those in need.

Installing New Interiors

Just as your old furniture in going out the door, new furniture is coming in. In that flurry of activity, you might realize that your restaurant lacks the space to accommodate a delivery of that size. Not to worry! A moving company like Olympia has the storage capacity to receive large deliveries and then delivery and install your new furniture or equipment in your restaurant.

Seasonal Furniture/Patio Furniture Storage

The same applies to patio furniture. It’s not likely to fit in the supply closet nor should it stay out to face the elements year-round. Olympia has provided many restaurants with winter storage for their patio furniture, with disassembly and reassembly included. Your furniture can be picked up at the first sign of frost and returned when spring has sprung.

Fire or Flood

Tragically, it’s not always a good thing when furniture needs to be moved. If your restaurant has experienced a fire or a flood and needs space to make repairs, a moving company can be on hand for removal and delivery to repair professionals or storage. Or, in the worst case scenario, they can be called on to junk ruined furniture so you can focus on fixing what survived.

Restaurant Logistics for Large Catering Events

If your restaurant is catering its own event, a professional moving company can help you handle time-consuming logistics. You and your staff need to focus on providing delicious food, so hiring a professional moving company relieves pressure.

For more information on outdoor events for your business, read some of Olympia’s best tips.

Moving In or Moving Around

A professional moving company can help a restaurant at all stages of life. If you are opening a restaurant, hire a moving company to take over furniture delivery and set up, allowing you to focus on all the other factors of a grand opening. And, after huge success leads to multiple locations, a moving company can transport large equipment like ovens or freezers between locations if a shuffle is required.

With just these six examples, its clear a professional moving company can do a lot to help restaurants of all sizes. Olympia Office Movers is proud to work with a range of restaurants in Greater Boston, Washington DC, Austin and Philadelphia. If you have a similar job or something totally unique to your business, it’s important to find a moving company that works for what you want.

If your restaurant needs logistic support, call Olympia to schedule a proposal meeting at 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

What Are the Benefits of Outdoor Business Events?

Posted on May 22, 2019 by rhunt

What Are the Benefits of Outdoor Business Events?

Weddings, baby showers, and barbecues all bring people together outside—why not a business event? Charity bike rides and 5K’s, employee parties, volunteering events, and networking are outdoor business events that offer unique experiences.

Activities Create Connection

Instead of sitting for an evening, outdoor business events give attendees the opportunity to engage with their peers in a variety of activities.

A charity 5K or a lawn networking event with cornhole and giant Jenga involve participants in memorable ways, all while building your own brand. Additional ideas include:

Lawn Bowling
Build-A-Plant
Charity Softball Game
Charity Kickball Game
Office Olympics
Bocce Tournament
Team Clean-Up Your Neighborhood
Concerts and Musical Acts

For more event ideas, read 20 Creative Corporate Event Ideas That Feel Anything But Corporate from Peerspace.

Grillmaster

Shake things up with a serve-yourself spread. Break away from the traditional ‘steak, chicken, and vegetarian’ menu with grilled fish tacos, grilled broccoli, and summer salads. Popular food trucks can also be hired to cater to larger events like 5K’s and bike races.

Food can make or break an event. Ensure that whatever your choice for catering is has the capacity to meet demand.

Making #Memories

Attendees are much more likely to share content about your outdoor business event in a more relaxed setting. Drive social media engagement with an event hashtag or geotag to increase awareness of your event and brand. Investing in a photobooth or photo props to increase the shareability of your event.

Necessities of Successful Outdoor Business Events

Regardless of the type of event you’re hosting, there are several basics you’ll need:

Tables
Chairs
Coolers
Trash Cans
Storage
Tents
Food Serving Equipment (grills, buffet containers, etc.)
Stereo Systems/Speakers
Port-a-Potties (if there are no bathrooms available)

These simple factors are key to hosting a successful event, especially when food is involved. Missing one can be an inconvenience for your attendees and a headache for you. Don’t let poor logistics keep you from capitalizing on day of fun and business development.

When Should You Call a Professional Moving Company?

Only you know your own capacity. Much like how caterers are called when you need large quantities of food, professional movers can assist you with the set up and break-down of an event.

Olympia can help by providing transport for event equipment or simply by providing labor. Even for a relatively small event, hiring a team of professional movers can take pressure off of you and your event organizers so that everyone can enjoy your event alongside your attendees. We can set up and break down equipment and supplies while you focus on what really matters: making good memories!

Category: Commercial Logistics