Excuses for not moving office?

[skell]

Hey everyone!

 

The powers that be want to move us to a different office. We are very much against this as we love the office we're in and its all set up to go with about 10 network points dotted around the room. We've also got two servers and a couple of switches. Its away from the main building which makes it almost an offsite location. We backup to this office and have a secondary domain controller here.

 

The reason they've said they want to move us is so that we can share an office with our MIS co-ordinator. We have no problems sharing a room with them, and it makes sense to move IT related staff into one area. The room they want to move us into is OK, but has none of the features or the storage space to put things like this room has.

 

Has anyone any ideas on how we can prevent this? We aren't above lying as long as it sounds convincing!

 

Thanks!

[solitaire89]

Suggest that they move the MIS Co-Ord in with you, stating all the above reasons for keeping your office?

[skell]

Thats a great idea, except there isn't enough room in our office for a third person, even one that won't be around much as she is also a teacher. The is an office next to ours is free, so we are thinking of suggesting she use this one. That would mean we're altogether without everyone being smushed. It's big enough for one person. We're just looking to find as many reasons as possible not to move!

[solitaire89]

Ah, thought there would probably be a sensible reason why not

[HarryMonkey]

Explain to them that you will need to get some networking companies in to provide quotes for rewiring your new office with the required number of network points, power sockets etc. Ask them where they are planning to put your new storage area as you don't have the space in the new office and where they plan to locate your secure location for your backup server(s), etc. Once they realise that the move will cost them money, they may well reconsider. You might want to factor in the 'several days' of down time whilst the servers and switches are moved and installed into the new office.

 

I got asked to clear out a store room once to provide space for an interview room. Once they realised that I would need to be able to just walk in on these interviews to get access to the comms cabinety in there at any time of the day, they soon changed their minds.

 

Make sure you're realistic with your objections though, otherwise you might just come accross as being obstructive.

[bladedanny]

I think the 'offsite' location of a secondary DC and backup location is good enough. Just give examples of what might happen if everything was in one location.

[TechMonkey]

Well here some people would get away with "Because I don't want to"!

 

I lovely official document with costings, time frames, pros and cons would go down a treat. Maybe add a sign off form at the end stating that they accept all responsibility for problems, errors or loss due to the move. This should scare them but if they still bulldozer it through at least you can blame anything after that on them

[skell]

I love you guys.

 

Keep it coming, this is gold!

[rad]

Cost up how much it will cost for you to move, ie new network ports, new power sockets, cost of OT to move the server, install air con etc.

[LiamH]

cant they knock through to the spare office and extend yours? That's what we did here.

[bossman]

@skell:

 

I fear you may have a losing argument based on health and safety.

We too had a room with the servers in and we were told that it was not in our best interests to remain in there and so an alternative was found.

We too liked our room but have since found this is a much better environment and all-round good move.

 

Don't knock it til you've tried it and make it work to your advantage by expressing your needs and requirements for this other alternative.

Change is as good as a rest so they say.

 

Have fun whatever you decide

[LosOjos]

There's potential to play the data protection act card if either of you (the IT team or the MIS coordinator) work with sensitive information: as Data Manager I have to have my own office due to the nature of some of the work I do

[TechMonkey]

@skell:

 

I fear you may have a losing argument based on health and safety.

We too had a room with the servers in and we were told that it was not in our best interests to remain in there and so an alternative was found.

We too liked our room but have since found this is a much better environment and all-round good move.

 

Don't knock it til you've tried it and make it work to your advantage by expressing your needs and requirements for this other alternative.

Change is as good as a rest so they say.

 

Have fun whatever you decide

 

 

This is a good point. It could be an opportunity to get the ultimately tricked out office, so a good thing!

[GREED]

As a former MIS Manager I have to say... get out and give them the office... lol :D

[elsiegee40]

I'd look at it from a positive point of view, an opportunity for a chuck out and some new furniture. If you say that you haven't got any clutter that should be skipped, I won't believe you!

 

Draw up a list of what furniture you would need to purchase to get yourselves into the new office, work out what you have that will fit that list and then get the County Supplies catalogue and price up the rest.

 

The HT may decide it isn't worth the cost, but if you approach this in a positive manner you are more likely to get an outcome that suits both you and the school.