What's included
- New office IT setup planning
- Workstation and device deployment planning
- Windows Server and Active Directory architecture advice
- Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace planning
- User account, permission, and access structure recommendations
- Printer, shared resource, and business application planning
Why plan before you set up
Office IT tends to be decided in a rush: the lease is signed, the move date is fixed, and the internet line, computers, email accounts, and printers all get sorted out in the last two weeks. The result usually works on day one and becomes harder to manage every month after — shared logins, files scattered across personal accounts, a printer only one computer can reach, and no clear answer to "who has access to what?"
Business IT planning is the step before any of that. We work out what your office actually needs, how the pieces should fit together, and the order to put them in, so the setup is right the first time and easy to manage afterward.
What the plan covers
Every plan is shaped by the business, but most cover the same core questions:
- Systems and accounts: Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, how user accounts are created, and how permissions are structured so people have access to what they need — and only that.
- Devices: what workstations and laptops are needed, how they're set up consistently, and how new staff get a working computer without starting from scratch.
- Servers and directories: whether a Windows Server and Active Directory make sense for your office, or whether cloud-based management fits better.
- Shared resources: printers, shared drives, and the business applications your team relies on.
- Network and internet: what the space needs for reliable connectivity, coordinated with network planning where it matters.
How it works
- Initial consultation. We talk through the business, the team, the space, and the timeline — whether you're opening, moving, or reorganizing.
- Assessment. If you have an existing setup, I review the accounts, computers, and shared resources as they are today. For a brand-new office, we work from your plans and requirements.
- Recommendations. I recommend the systems and structure that fit, explained in plain language with the trade-offs laid out.
- Deployment roadmap. You get a step-by-step plan and an equipment and services outline that you, your team, or any IT provider can follow.
The best time to start is before the move date is close — ideally while you're still choosing the space, so things like internet service and where equipment will live are part of the decision. If you're reading this two weeks before moving in, it's still worth doing: a short, prioritized plan beats improvising.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start planning IT for a new office?
As early as you can — ideally before the lease is final, so internet availability and equipment space are part of the decision. Internet installation in particular can take time to schedule.
Should we use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?
Both are solid. The right choice depends on the applications you use, how your team works with documents, and what you already have. The plan lays out the recommendation and the reasoning so you can decide with confidence.
Do we need a server?
Many small offices no longer need an on-site server, but some do. Windows Server and Active Directory architecture advice is part of this service, and the recommendation is based on your size, applications, and how you manage devices and access.
Will you set up the computers and accounts?
The service is the plan, not the hands-on setup. The roadmap is written so that your team or any IT provider you choose can carry it out, and I can stay involved in an advisory role while they do.