Remodeling a business facility is a rare opportunity to do everything right. From office layouts and conference room sizes to traffic flow and more, every aspect should be designed to support your business operations. It’s not a project to be rushed. It should be approached thoughtfully with clear intentions and goals from day one.
Day one of the remodelling process is also the best time to begin considering your facility’s most important resource: the IT infrastructure.
No matter how well you conceive, design, and implement every other facility detail, it won’t achieve its full potential without a rock-solid, high-performing, easy-to-access, and scalable IT infrastructure.
What is IT infrastructure? It’s the hidden components most employees never see — Cat6 Ethernet cables, fiber-optic entry points, server rooms, routers, switches, Wi-Fi extenders, and more. IT infrastructure comprises all elements that transmit digital data and commands across your operations.
If you don’t plan for a successful IT backbone from the start of a remodel, the disappointments will show up within days of opening the doors.
Your Buildings Run on Technology
Whatever your business, no matter what type of facility you are building, the most critical component to success is the IT infrastructure.
It directly impacts every aspect of your operations. There isn’t a single valid reason to omit IT infrastructure considerations from the earliest stages of your design process. That point is especially true if your building is a technology-first facility, such as a data center or distribution warehouse.
Modern facilities depend on IT more than ever — and that need is only going to increase. Key IT elements to consider are:
- Operational devices (computers, printers, phones, etc.)
- Security systems (cameras, badge readers, etc.)
- Audio and visual needs (conference rooms, projectors, intercoms, etc.)
- Smart lighting
- Smart HVAC
- Smart energy management systems
- Cabling (entry points, runways, drops, etc.)
If your remodel fails to account for those systems, it will create spaces that do not perform as intended.
You Can Fix It Later — At a Cost
The old saying is accurate — nothing is set in stone. Should IT issues arise, you can always address them — even after the remodel is complete. So what’s the worry? Simple. Cost and time.
It is several times more expensive to correct IT issues after a remodel than to address IT needs before a remodel begins.
Why Is It More Expensive To Correct IT After Construction?
- Walls need to be opened or removed
- Ceilings must be cut into
- Network closets could be undersized
- Network closets might be in the wrong locations
- Power systems could be inadequate
- HVAC and other cooling systems might be insufficient
Planning and designing the IT infrastructure during the initial stages of your remodel project ensures that cabling, power, equipment rooms, and other components are built upfront — and correctly — to meet current and future needs. You’ll save time and money while reducing frustration among stakeholders and employees.
Building Design and IT for Evolving Workflows
Whether you’re remodeling an office space or a data center, one thing is certain — how it functions today will not be how it works tomorrow.
Stakeholders must design with future-proofing in mind, rather than relying on retrofits.
IT Considerations for Remodels
- Flexibility/hot-desking/shared workspaces
- Video conferencing across devices
- Blended environments supporting wired and wireless devices
- Robotics
- Increasing AI bandwidth, power, and processing demands
- Future scalability/expansion
- Network as a Service (NaaS) possibilities
- Cooling systems and capacity
When you account for current and future considerations, you have the greatest opportunity to maximize the ROI and satisfaction with your remodel investment.
Planning for IT Upfront Improves Security
There is a direct link between your data security and a secure IT infrastructure. When planning for your remodel’s IT needs, be sure to consider these security measures.
- Controlled access doors and hallways
- Secure network rooms
- Security cameras
- Public and private network access (wi-fi and wired)
- Compliance with any industry regulations or standards
Security measures are most effective when built into the original remodel design, rather than as a bolt-on solution after construction is complete.
How Soon is Too Soon to Start Planning for IT Needs?
The answer will always depend on who you ask. But we’ll give you the right answer. The best time is the moment you start considering a remodel. Often, the reasons for a remodel are rooted in IT concerns as much as in the need for more physical space.
The best way to approach IT design is to begin considering IT partners alongside architects and general contractors. As with the other partners, you’ll have choices to consider. Look for an IT expert with a strong track record of working with architects and general contractors. Also, you’ll want to favor candidates with experience in your type of facility. Designing an IT infrastructure for an office space is very different from designing one for a data center. Choosing an IT partner with specific project experience is a major advantage.
What does early IT planning look like? You’ll want to assess your current IT position and align it with emerging IT goals, aspirations, and upcoming business innovations. Typically, a remodel isn’t just an extension of the IT you already have in place; it’s a bridge to how you want technology to support operations moving forward.
Can You Rely on Your Current IT Team?
Any existing IT team should be involved in the process, but it’s rare that they can handle it internally. Nor should they lead it. Creating an IT solution and maintaining one are very different skill sets. A business serious about achieving a successful, purpose-built remodel needs to partner with an established expert in IT infrastructure design and installation. Of course, they will include your internal IT teams to ensure the solution they create aligns with their perspectives and capabilities.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Facility IT Integration?
IT planning before your remodel begins is foundational to future-proofing business operations. Designing and installing the right IT infrastructure requires working with an expert. Matrix-NDI solves the challenges of your business operations by unlocking the full ROI of your technology investments. We design and install networks built for maximum speed and perfectly matched to bandwidth demands.
Why Work With Matrix-NDI?
With on-staff Registered Communications Distribution Designers (RCDDs), coast-to-coast service coverage, and partnerships with leading data networking providers—including Extreme Networks, Nile, and others—Matrix-NDI delivers the expertise and reach to support your technology goals. We invite you to connect with us to see how our expertise, partnerships, and national reach can help solve your challenges.
Contact Matrix-NDI to get started. Let’s build smarter, safer, more connected spaces — together.
