If you had the chance to setup your IT office from scratch - How would you do it?

[DrBeaker]

Advice/Brainstorming -

 

If you had the chance to setup your IT office from scratch / begin again -

 

What would you do and how would you set it up?

 

* Benches,

* Network sockets,

* Mains sockets etc

* Access etc

 

Need some advice and from people's own experience/wishlist etc.

[3s-gtech]

More power sockets, more network sockets! Always thought it’d be plenty, then end up trying to build stuff on MDT in there.

 

Storage. Not shonky cupboards, but the whole store room next door would be good. Heavy duty shelves.

 

A more professional ‘reception’ area for anyone coming there, instead of the junk piled around - a front desk.

 

A system for bulk processing cardboard, and storing e-waste neatly.

[dhicks]

What would you do and how would you set it up?

 

Mains sockets: worth getting ones with decent-sized (3.2A) USB power built-in. I also rather like those little plastic shelves that you can fit to double sockets to hold tablets / phones, as it gives you somewhere to stand stuff while charging from the USB ports.

 

Physical storage: it's a school, so you possibly already have a bunch of Gratnells trays and matching furniture around. I tend to get the clear plastic Gratnells trays with lids so we can see what's in a box. If you're not going to have something Gratnells-sized, have it 19" rackmount size so you can stack server / audio equipment in as needed.

 

For your own desk / work area, it might be useful to consider the background for when you're using video conferencing. Either some reasonably neat-and-tidy or a proper clear / well lit background that works well with background-substituting software. Might also be worth adding sound treatment and/or a nice mic for clear audio.

Edited April 28, 2022 by dhicks

[howartp]

Multiple data sockets at my desk.

 

I have four by luck, and I make good use, but would love more.

 

1 = PC

2 = Phone

3 = POE on Wifi VLAN (for testing/configuring APs)

4 = Regular spare LAN port for laptop(s)

 

We have Paxton on the door, so each of us has a green Exit button by our desk. Could do with one at the workbench area.

[MartinByard]

Might be an obvious thing to some, but monitors with built in USB hubs (which have mouse and keyboard plugged into them). Then its quicker and easier to test PCs (obviously switch for USB docks if appropriate for testing laptops).

[hardtailstar]

I'd move into a classroom so we can have a proper test bench and 'office' area. In the office I'd have...

 

Storage in proper plastic boxes and not cardboard boxes

Cupboards for storage

monitors on walls for test bench

plenty of data points

plenty of plugs

New equipment area

decent desk, possibly standing desks

whiteboards

pin boards

reception/seating area

Air conditioning

tea & coffee making facilities

Padded cell.....

[Roberto]

Advice/Brainstorming -

 

If you had the chance to setup your IT office from scratch / begin again -

 

What would you do and how would you set it up?

 

* Benches,

* Network sockets,

* Mains sockets etc

* Access etc

 

Need some advice and from people's own experience/wishlist etc.

 

All based on observations from my education job and the facilities we had then:

 

• Will customers be coming to your office? If so, think about how you might want to provide service without necessarily having people wander all over your office. A counter at the front, or a separate service desk space for example.
  
• Will you be handing out (or frequently must dash out with) consumables or parts like Mice? Have them stored where it's convenient to grab 'n go.
  
• However much power and network connectivity you think you need... get that plus a little extra.
  
• Space for all your team (whether that's just you, or you plus...) to have a proper desk where you can sit and do work you need to concentrate on without being surrounded by junk. Good quality chair at each desk and two monitors per desk as standard, along with decent quality mouse and keyboard. As IT people you spend a disproportionate amount of your time sitting at your desk typing away than the average person and a decent workspace is vital for both productivity and health
  
• In fact, have a separate bench for builds/repairs rather than having this encroach on your desk.
  
• If we're really going for it - raised floor with elecktrak power and (i forget the name for them) flood wiring network boxes. These allow the power and network in the room to be moved when needed, with grommits in the flooring.
  

Edited April 29, 2022 by Roberto

[Rob_D]

My dream is to one-day work in an office where I don't have my back to the door.

If you've got the space (which I've never really had), then a good sized section of work bench (I'd want 2-3 "work stations" worth of width) with wall mounted monitors for testing/imaging/etc (underneath the benching can be storage). We use these for imaging and direct access server work, and they've been great: https://www.amazon.co.uk//dp/B0013DFJA4/

Also, some kind of reception desk or even better a service hatch for people who've popped by to get their passwords changed or similar quick issues (As we already have it, I'd have the biostore self service password reset here).

[LeMarchand]

I'd agree with pretty much all of the above, and the only things I can think of to add at the moment would be:

 

 

• Good selection of tools, including some sort of handheld and/or adjustable light for those dark nooks and crannies
  
• "Concealed" and lockable storage so that bits of kit are out of the way and don't start a feeding frenzy if spotted by staff
  
• Sink/kettle (and microwave?) to cut down on those "in the corridor" requests when you just want a cuppa/lunch
  
• Toilet? (Similar to above)
  
• In my main school, CCTV pointing at the door so that the kids who think it's funny to knock on the door as they pass can be identified and terminated reported
  

[Danp]

A window!

 

Daylight and ideally fresh air make a big difference.

[paulkerton]

My dream is to one-day work in an office where I don't have my back to the door.

 

Gurney will be really angry...

 

#nerd