A new location can be physically finished and still not be operationally ready.
Technology is one of the easiest areas to leave too late because several dependencies have long lead times.
Order internet early
Business internet installation can involve:
- site survey;
- construction;
- landlord approval;
- carrier scheduling;
- equipment delivery.
Do not assume service will be available the week before opening.
Identify backup options if connectivity is business-critical.
Plan cabling before walls close
Determine locations for:
- access points;
- desks;
- phones;
- printers;
- POS;
- cameras;
- displays;
- network equipment.
Good cabling is easier before construction is complete.
Define the network standard
Decide whether the new site should follow an existing standard for:
- firewall;
- switching;
- Wi-Fi;
- guest network;
- remote management;
- labeling.
Consistency makes support easier later.
Create accounts before employees arrive
Prepare:
- Microsoft 365 or Google accounts;
- MFA;
- shared mailboxes;
- application access;
- location groups;
- role permissions.
The first day should not be spent discovering who can log into the POS or shared drive.
Inventory the devices
List:
- computers;
- tablets;
- phones;
- printers;
- scanners;
- POS terminals;
- displays;
- accessories;
- spares.
Assign ownership for purchasing, setup, warranty, and asset records.
Configure business applications
Confirm:
- ERP/accounting;
- POS;
- CRM;
- inventory;
- scheduling;
- ecommerce;
- payment;
- shipping;
- reporting.
If location codes or warehouses must be created, do that before transactions begin.
Update the customer-facing systems
A new location can also affect:
- website;
- store locator;
- Google Business Profile;
- local SEO;
- phone numbers;
- forms;
- routing;
- hours;
- delivery areas;
- advertising.
Customer-facing and back-office readiness should move together.
Define support ownership
Know who owns:
- ISP;
- network;
- devices;
- phones;
- applications;
- website;
- POS;
- escalation.
Opening week is not the right time to discover that two vendors both assumed the other one was responsible.
Test the complete workflow
Before opening, run realistic scenarios.
Can an employee:
- sign in;
- take an order;
- accept payment;
- print;
- access shared files;
- call out;
- receive email;
- update inventory;
- serve a customer;
- escalate support?
Testing the components is useful.
Testing the operating day is better.
Loginect’s Infrastructure & Business IT and Web, Ecommerce & Digital Experience work can coordinate the technology around a new location so the business opens with fewer last-minute surprises.