What to Include in a Remote Hands Work Order

The single biggest factor in a smooth remote-hands job is a clear work order. When the instructions are complete, a technician can walk in, do the work, and confirm it without a dozen back-and-forth messages. Here is what to include.

Access and logistics

• Facility and location: the datacenter name and address, plus your cage, rack, or cabinet number.
• Authorization: confirm we are on your approved access list, or that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) is on file with the facility. Many carrier hotels require this before anyone touches your space.
• Timing: your maintenance window, and whether the work must happen at a specific time. We schedule around your window, including nights and weekends.

The task itself

• Exact steps: what to do, in order. "Replace the failed drive in bay 3 of the server labeled DB-02, then confirm the array rebuilds."
• Identification: how to find the right device, by label, position, serial number, or a photo. This prevents work on the wrong box.
• Configs and diagrams: attach any switch/router configs, cabling diagrams, or port maps. For network work, specify source and destination ports.
• Parts: what hardware is involved, whether you are shipping it in, and where it will be (front desk, in the cage, courier tracking number).

Verification and reporting

• Success criteria: how we confirm the task worked. A link light, a ping test, a rebuilt array, a screenshot of a console.
• What to send back: photos of the finished work, serial numbers removed or installed, or a short written confirmation.
• Escalation: who to call if something is not as expected, and whether to stop or proceed.

A simple template

You can paste something like this into your request:

• Facility / cage-rack:
• Authorized / LOA on file:
• Window:
• Task (numbered steps):
• Device ID (label / serial / photo):
• Attachments (config / diagram):
• Success check:
• Report back:
• Escalation contact:

Not sure how to scope it? Send us what you have and we will fill in the gaps and confirm cost and timeline before we start.