Relocation Assistance and MAC Services

New Opportunities

New and emerging market conditions present a great opportunity to maximize improved real estate presence for trading floors, data centers and office space. Clients who can act fast are finding new ways to accelerate business transformation and operational models well in advance of previously planned changes.

Still, in many scenarios, compressed budgets are driving IT to reduce their physical footprint within existing and new facilities. Facilities management is asked to maximize the available space but consistently require advanced IT expertise to do so. Advanced Infrastructure and Design Consultants play an even more important role in utilizing technologies and techniques to get the most out a new facility.

What Moves You?

Nearly all environments are in a constant state of change. In fact, conversations with our clients reveal three reasons why change occurs:

Churn - Department or business unit hiring or consolidation generates the most number of changes.

Growth - Acquisitions, new business initiatives, spinoffs and partner agreements create temporary or long-term intra company changes.

Moving - New or improved space opportunities, lease terminations, expansion or reporting structure changes.

Some clients report upwards of 25% or more in annual people changes or technology churn across major and minor facilities. Nearly 94%, according to Gartner, will experience at least one major expansion or people move a year.

What to Expect?

As most large moves are planned years in advance, new network and services plans will evolve as technologies advance. Some of the more pressing considerations with a large Data Center move include:

• Network services - circuits, redundancy, 10GB and Data Center Ethernet
• Power and Environmental requirements - power needs, cooling, battery backup and physical security
• Construction changes - anticipating growth and planning for more space
• Budget Impact - new requirements drive new costs

It is clear that relocating technology and people is often a time consuming, complex and process intensive activity requiring extensive cooperation and planning from operations, business and support management. Firms who go it alone risk missing completion dates, business continuity and employee satisfaction. According to one study:

• ... the average technology move is likely to be 34% more expensive in terms of time lost, incorrect equipment and circuit orders, and underestimated facilities requirements. Many DIY moves take 29% longer if done without experienced project management and extensive planning.

Relocation Done Right

The challenge in executing an efficient and cost effective move is often the gap between IT and the Facilities teams. Both sides lack the experience of each other's requirements and needs. Universal has the experience to navigate and bridge the two sides and drive a more productive interaction between the technology and building management groups.

We have provided many financial firms the expert planning, project management and delivery services critical to overcoming the many physical, technical and people challenges inherent in every relocation or expansion.

Universal e-Business Solutions delivers end-to-end site relocation and project management including:

• Project, site and user planning
• Site surveys and network audits
• Requirements analysis
• Bill of Material (BOM) creation and validation
• Budget analysis and financing options
• Facilities planning and negotiations
• Systems and site remediation planning
• Configuration testing, Implementation and day two support
• Move, add and change (MAC) coordination
• Complete 24x7 remote monitoring and management

Inventory and Asset Management

Proper management and tracking of IT assets is essential when tackling an upcoming office move or relocation. Possessing a detailed and accurate inventory of these assets takes the guesswork out of the auditing process. Universal addresses the technical concerns your business might have and with project management services and a single point contact for overall accountability. The following are examples of Universal's inventory and asset management solutions:

• Asset tracking system implementation
• Physical inventory evaluation
• Internal parts inventory management
• Decommissioning and reinstallation process management
• Asset valuation and auditing services
• Acquisition, disposal and/or storage services

On Going MAC's

Internal IT staff can often be overwhelmed with the workload produced by on-going Moves, Adds and Changes (MAC) to the existing infrastructure. When working with mission-critical applications, such as financial market data trading systems, even the shortest disruption of application availability can have serious financial consequences.

Universal Consulting specializes in everyday and high-impact changes. From short or long-term relocation to everyday MAC needs, we can provide the experience and cost efficiencies to manage and maintain the changes affecting your business.

Universal provides relocation and MAC services for:

• Telephone and Voicemail Services
• Network Infrastructure including routing, switching, wireless and circuits
• Desktop and server moves
• Security devices including IPS, IDS and Firewalls
• Market Data
• Office Automation

Your Next Move with Universal

Let Universal tackle your next relocation and MAC project. Expert and experienced staff provide a simplified approach to your infrastructure changes through a proven project and process management. Enjoy a smoother transition and better end-to-end management of all your relocation and MAC projects.