If you need to store electronic equipment long-term then it is essential to store it correctly to ensure it remains in good, working condition.
Sometimes, we may need to put our technology equipment into storage; we may have an overseas assignment to a place where our equipment might not work or we might be moving to the other end of the country for a few months and moving all our equipment is just not practical. It might not be the perfect solution but sometimes we need to pack up and store our tech equipment.
If you do need to do this then remember that electronic equipment is very delicate so to help make sure your equipment comes out of storage in good condition, choose your self-storage facility carefully and check which actual storage unit you’ll be assigned. If you want to compare prices (and we recommend you do!) then there are helpful comparisons available like this helpful self-storage price comparison table.
We have also put together some other essential factors you need to consider.
Back Up Everything First
If you are planning on putting computers, external hard drives, tablets or mobile phones into storage then they should all be backed up first. Back them up to one of the many cloud facilities so you will always be able to access your data easily to restore it, if necessary, in the event that the piece of tech equipment is damaged in storage or in transit.
Protection of Your Personal Information
Theft from self storage units is rare but if the worst was to happen how well protected is the personal information held on your tech equipment? So either delete confidential information from your devices completely once they are backed up or use a high level of data encryption.
Clean Everything
Dust will eventually damage the components of your tech equipment so make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned before being put into storage, especially thinks like computer keyboards which are magnets for dirt.
Pack Carefully
If you have the original packaging then that is the best form of packaging but, failing that, pack each item in breathable padding (not plastic to avoid condensation building up) and pack in a strong cardboard box.
Consider A Climate Controlled Unit
Heat, cold and humidity will all damage electronic equipment over time so avoid these issues by considering a climate controlled self storage unit. It will be more expensive than a regular unit but for long-term storage it is the best. You can compare storage prices here.
Label Everything
Don’t forget to label everything clearly, especially cables – in 6 months’ time you won’t remember which cable connects which component to which and if you want to get your tech back up and running as easily as possible then take care with labelling now.
Place Carefully In The Storage Unit
Finally, consider carefully which location within the storage unit you are going to place your tech. Don’t, for instance, place the boxes directly on the floor, which can make then more susceptible to climate changes. If they cannot be placed on top of stable furniture items then get hold of some old wooden pallets, put these on the floor and then the tech boxes on top. The air flow beneath the boxes will help keep your kit in good condition. And don’t stack heavy items on top of each other in case the boxes start to become crushed over time.
These tips will help you keep your technology and the data contained within it safe and secure.