How We Helped a Company Move 70 Desks + Full Network in 48 Hours
It was a typical Tuesday afternoon when we got the call. A long-standing client of ours, a thriving marketing firm based in Santa Monica, had just signed a lease on a beautiful new space in Playa Vista. The new office was everything they wanted: more natural light, better amenities, room to grow. There was just one catch. The building owners needed them out of their old space in 60 days, but the only available moving weekend for the general contractor was a narrow, 48-hour window from Saturday at 8:00 AM to Monday at 8:00 AM. For the business, this meant a hard deadline: be fully operational by Monday morning.
The physical movers could handle the desks and chairs. But the IT infrastructure? The network, the phones, the servers, the workstations? That was a different story. A typical office move of this scale can take weeks of planning and execution. The client’s management team was stressed. They knew that any misstep with their technology could mean days or even weeks of lost productivity, missed deadlines, and frustrated clients.
This is where our team at IT Training & Consulting, Inc. (ITTC) came in. We didn’t just provide the technical hands; we provided a strategic plan. Here’s how we executed a flawless 70-desk office and network migration in just 48 hours.
The Challenge: More Than Just Packing Computers
On the surface, the task was simple: move everything from point A to point B. But beneath that surface lay a complex web of interdependent systems that had to be carefully untangled and reassembled.
The core challenges were:
The Timeline: 48 hours of physical access, with zero tolerance for error.
Business Continuity: The company had to be fully functional by Monday morning. No “we’re still working on the network” excuses.
Network Infrastructure: The new space was a blank canvas. It required a completely new network design, including a server room, switches, Wi-Fi, and extensive Phone Cabling Services.
Complex Dependencies: The physical move of workstations had to be perfectly synchronized with the activation of the new network and telecommunications system.
As Juan Turcios, our President & CEO, put it, “An office move isn’t a logistics project with an IT component. It’s an IT project that requires logistics. The technology is the central nervous system of the business; if you don’t move it correctly, the business goes into cardiac arrest.”
Phase 1: The Blueprint for a Seamless Transition
The key to success was meticulous planning, which began the moment we hung up the phone. We immediately initiated our Project-Based IT Support framework, treating the move as a mission-critical operation.
The Discovery and Scoping Meeting
Our first step was a joint walkthrough of both the old and new spaces with the client and their general contractor. This allowed us to understand the physical constraints and opportunities. We asked critical questions: Where is the telecom demarcation point? What is the power capacity for the server room? What is the floor plan for the new desks?
Designing the New Network Infrastructure
With the floor plans in hand, our network specialists, led by Abner Navarro, designed the new network from the ground up. This involved:
Network Topology Mapping: We designed the layout of the server rack, core switch, patch panels, and the runs of CAT6A cabling to each of the 70 workstations.
Wireless Access Point Planning: We determined the optimal locations for enterprise-grade Wi-Fi access points to ensure seamless coverage throughout the office, avoiding dead zones.
VoIP Telephone System Planning: We mapped the extension for each desk and planned the Phone Cabling Services required to support their cloud-based phone system.
The Pre-Move IT Audit and Preparation
While the new infrastructure was being designed, another part of our team conducted a full audit of the existing setup. We created a detailed inventory of every piece of hardware, from servers to individual monitors. Each device was tagged with its new location. Critically, we performed full backups of all servers and key data. We also pre-configured all new network hardware, including switches and routers, in our office before the move day. This “plug and play” approach saved invaluable hours on-site.
Phase 2: Execution – The 48-Hour Sprint
The moving weekend arrived. Our team was on-site at the old office at 7:00 AM on Saturday, ready to coordinate with the physical movers.
Day 1: The Controlled Dismantling
The first day was about careful decommissioning and packing. This is where many moves fail; equipment is damaged or cables are lost because the process is rushed.
Staged Shutdown: We followed a precise sequence to power down servers and network equipment safely, ensuring no data was corrupted.
The ITTC Packing Protocol: We didn’t just throw computers into boxes. Each workstation was methodically dismantled. Monitors, CPUs, keyboards, and mice were packed together in clearly labeled boxes corresponding to their new desk location. All cables were coiled, tagged, and packed with the relevant device. As Nestor Turcios, our IT Field Technician, noted, “Labeling is everything. A box that just says ‘IT’ is a problem waiting to happen. A box that says ‘Desk 14 – CPU, Monitors, Phone’ is a promise of a quick setup.”
Secure Server Transport: The servers and core network switches were transported by our team in separate, dedicated vehicles to ensure their safety and to allow for immediate setup upon arrival at the new location.
The Parallel Track: Building the New Nerve Center
While one team was dismantling the old office, our infrastructure specialists were already at the new Playa Vista location. As the furniture was being assembled, they were:
Racking and Stacking: Installing the pre-configured server, switches, and patch panels into the new server rack.
Running Cable: Executing the cabling plan, running hundreds of feet of new Ethernet cable to each desk drop. This is a core part of our Network Management & Hardware Support offering, ensuring a physically robust and organized foundation.
Establishing Connectivity: Working with the ISP to activate the new internet circuit and configuring the firewall.
Day 2: The Race to Operational
Sunday was all about assembly and testing. The goal was not just to have computers on desks, but to have a fully functional network.
Workstation Assembly: Our team worked desk-by-desk, unpacking the labeled boxes, assembling the workstations, and connecting them to the new network drops.
System Verification: As each computer was connected, we verified network connectivity, access to shared drives, and printer functionality.
Phone System Activation: We plugged in each VoIP phone, verified its extension, and tested call quality.
Final Server Checks and Application Testing: We brought the core business applications online and performed rigorous tests to ensure everything from the database to the email server was responding correctly.
By 6:00 PM on Sunday, just 34 hours after we started, the entire network was live and stable. We spent the final two hours performing a walkthrough with the client’s office manager, demonstrating that every system was operational.
Why This Move Succeeded Where Others Fail
A 2024 report by the Project Management Institute found that 47% of technology-focused projects fail due to poor planning and unclear requirements. Our success was rooted in avoiding these pitfalls through a structured methodology.
The Power of a Single Point of Contact
The client didn’t have to manage the movers, the electricians, and the IT team separately. ITTC acted as the single point of contact for all technology-related matters, coordinating seamlessly with the other contractors. This is the advantage of Outsourcing Your IT for a complex project; you get a dedicated project manager who ensures all pieces fit together.
Experience with Los Angeles Logistics
Moving an office in Los Angeles presents unique challenges, from building management rules to traffic patterns for equipment transport. Our experience with IT Support Services in LA means we understand the local landscape. We know the permitting processes, the best suppliers for hardware, and how to navigate the logistics of a dense urban environment.
The Cloud Advantage
A significant factor that streamlined this move was the client’s previous adoption of Corporate Cloud Computing. Their primary file storage and key applications were already cloud-based. This meant the physical location of the server was less critical than if they relied on an entirely on-premise system. According to a 2023 Flexera report, 76% of enterprises now prioritize cloud migration to enhance operational agility, and this move is a perfect example of why. It drastically reduces the physical footprint and complexity of a relocation.
Is Your Business Planning a Move or Upgrade?
An office relocation or significant IT upgrade is one of the most disruptive events a business can face. But with the right partner, it can also be an opportunity to modernize your infrastructure and start fresh with a more efficient, secure, and scalable system.
Whether you’re moving across the street or across Los Angeles County, a project of this scale requires more than just technical skill. It requires military-grade planning, proven project management, and a team that understands your business cannot afford downtime.
Don’t leave your most critical asset—your technology—to chance. Let ITTC’s project management expertise ensure your next office move is a success. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call (844) 804-4882 or reach out through our Contact Us page.
