Data center relocation services

Safe, efficient, reliable physical device relocation. MIGRA plans your data center relocation, de-racks and packs every device, moves it in our own trucks, and re-racks it at the new site.

Server racks in a data center ready for relocation

Quick answer

What is data center relocation?

Data center relocation is the physical move of servers, storage and network equipment from one facility to another. A full relocation covers inventory and planning, de-racking, packing, secure transport, re-racking, cabling and testing. MIGRA Systems has planned and carried out data center relocations since 2004, across the U.S. and internationally.

Last updated

Why data center relocation needs a specialist

Your company's data network is the lifeblood of your business. It fuels your sales teams and connects you with opportunities. When you need to transport your servers, storage or other network devices from one location to another, it's vital to choose an experienced partner who fully understands the migration process.

Moving your IT environment is a complex task that should not be left in the hands of the inexperienced. Before any device is moved, shifted, or touched, each device must be tested for points of failure, and your data must be backed up. While in transit, your data and all devices must be secure against risk of loss, damage, or theft. And when each device is reinstalled at the new location, your systems need to be set up quickly and efficiently.

MIGRA has been relocating data centers since 2004. Our proven methodology combines safe and efficient logistics, tech services, and detailed planning before, during, and after the relocation.

What our data center relocation service includes

  • Experienced project planning and management
  • De-racking, packing and re-racking of every device
  • Adaptive methodologies to properly pack and transport
  • State-of-the-art transport vehicles supporting GPS traceability
  • Some of the industry's highest insurance coverages
  • FACTA, HIPAA, HITECH and GLBA compliance

How a MIGRA data center relocation works

Every relocation follows our four-phase process, with a day-of-move plan broken down every 15 minutes.

  1. Requirements gathering

    A detailed inventory, Visio drawings, the physical network and the application links for every device.

  2. Design planning

    The future state of your new data center and the roadmap to get there.

  3. Implementation planning

    Rack layouts, cable plans and a Day of Move plan with tasks, owners and move groups.

  4. Execution

    De-install, pack, transport and re-install, with every cable double-checked before handoff.

See our full relocation methodology

Data center relocation results

1,000+ servers

relocated 700 miles in a single weekend.

Molina Healthcare

30 hours

to relocate 400 devices 1,600 miles. The estimate was 48.

Read the case study

8 hours

for the physical relocation of 200 devices. The estimate was 12.

Read the case study

Across the two moves MIGRA has published in full, the physical work took 38 of 60 planned hours, finishing 37% faster than planned. See the move-window record.

What clients say about our data center relocation services

“In our largest engagement, we moved over 1000 physical servers and associated storage and network hardware over 700 miles – all over a single weekend. MIGRA not only performed the relocation quickly and securely, but they assisted our staff by installing, powering up, and connecting the servers to our network.”

Joshua Legbandt, Director, Data Center Operations, Molina Healthcare

Data center relocation questions

What does a data center relocation include?

MIGRA's data center relocation service covers project planning and management, de-racking, packing, transport in GPS-traceable vehicles, re-racking and cabling. Before any device is moved it is tested for points of failure and your data is backed up.

How long does a data center relocation take?

It depends on the size of the move. For one bank, planning took eight months and the physical move of 200 servers and devices was completed in 8 hours, against a 12-hour window. For another client, MIGRA moved 400 devices 1,600 miles in 30 hours, against a 48-hour estimate.

How much does a data center relocation cost?

Every relocation is quoted individually, based on your inventory, distance, timing and the services you need. The first consultation is free and comes with no obligation. Call 888.317.4548 or request a quote online.

How is equipment protected during a relocation?

Devices are secured against loss, damage or theft in transit, tracked by inventory number from de-installation to re-installation, and labeled with a Device Spec Sheet. MIGRA carries some of the industry's highest insurance coverages and supports FACTA, HIPAA, HITECH and GLBA compliance.

Where does MIGRA relocate data centers?

MIGRA is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has national and international availability. Past moves include 1,000+ servers relocated 700 miles in one weekend and a 1,600-mile move by chartered cargo plane.

How much downtime should we expect during a data center relocation?

Downtime depends on how devices are grouped and sequenced. MIGRA splits equipment into priority move groups, pre-installs racks and cabling at the destination, and moves critical devices first. One client moved 400 devices in 30 hours against a 48-hour window.

Planning a data center relocation?

Call or email us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.