A new office is the best time to set up IT properly. Internet, Wi-Fi, email, backups, printers, security, and staff devices are much easier to plan before the team moves in than after the first outage.
| Timing | IT tasks |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks before move | Check NBN/business internet options, building access, cabling, comms cabinet, mobile coverage, and lead times |
| 2 weeks before move | Configure router/firewall, Wi-Fi, Microsoft 365/Google Workspace, devices, backups, and printer plan |
| Move week | Test internet, guest Wi-Fi, shared files, printers/scanners, meeting room, MFA, and admin access |
| First fortnight | Resolve weak Wi-Fi corners, forgotten software, printer issues, onboarding gaps, and staff workflow problems |
Before signing or moving in
Check internet options, NBN technology type, mobile coverage, comms cabinet access, cabling, power points, and where staff will actually sit. Ask whether the building has restrictions on cabling or technician access.
In Sydney offices, confirm lift access, loading dock times, strata rules, after-hours access, and whether the NBN/network boundary is inside your tenancy or in a shared comms room.
Core setup checklist
- Business internet ordered and tested before move-in day
- Router, firewall, Wi-Fi, and guest network configured
- Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace accounts secured with MFA
- Shared files, permissions, and backup policies documented
- Printers, scanners, phones, and meeting room equipment tested
- New laptops enrolled, encrypted, patched, and labelled
- Password manager and admin access ownership confirmed
- Cybersecurity basics set for every staff member
- Backup restore test completed before relying on the setup
Security decisions to make early
- Who owns domain, DNS, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace admin access?
- Are staff using business-owned devices or personal laptops?
- Is MFA mandatory for email, admin accounts, accounting, and password managers?
- Are guest Wi-Fi and business devices separated?
- Who can approve new software, shared folders, and external file sharing?
Plan for support after move-in
The first two weeks often reveal missing printers, weak Wi-Fi corners, forgotten passwords, and software licensing issues. Keep a support window open after move-in so staff are not stuck inventing workarounds.
Ask for a handover note after setup: network name, router/firewall model, admin owner, printer details, backup provider, key vendors, licence list, and what was tested. That document is boring until the next outage, then it becomes gold.
Everyday Computing helps Sydney small businesses plan, install, and support new office IT, including remote helpdesk and onsite setup.