Why more and more companies are moving to “on-demand” models
For decades, the workplace was a symbol of stability. Headquarters. Long-term leases. Assigned desks. Workstations often left empty but paid for anyway.
Then something changed.
Post-pandemic hybrid work has challenged a long-standing assumption: do you really need a fixed space to work effectively? Companies are increasingly asking themselves: why should we own a space when we can activate it only when we need it?
This is where the “workspace as a service” model was born. Workspace as a service. On demand.
Businesses want scalable flexibility. They need to adapt to seasonal peaks, remote teams, distributed collaborators, and temporary projects. In this context, signing multi-year contracts becomes a constraint rather than a guarantee.
There is also a second factor: cost.
On-demand models can reduce operating costs by up to 20%, eliminating investments in fixed offices, maintenance, security management, sanitation, and unused spaces. Considering that more than 50% of traditional offices often remain empty, this shift in paradigm becomes almost inevitable.
Why more and more companies are moving to “on-demand” models
For decades, the workplace was a symbol of stability. Headquarters. Long-term leases. Assigned desks. Workstations often left empty but paid for anyway.
Then something changed.
Post-pandemic hybrid work has challenged a long-standing assumption: do you really need a fixed space to work effectively? Companies are increasingly asking themselves: why should we own a space when we can activate it only when we need it?
This is where the “workspace as a service” model was born. Workspace as a service. On demand.
Businesses want scalable flexibility. They need to adapt to seasonal peaks, remote teams, distributed collaborators, and temporary projects. In this context, signing multi-year contracts becomes a constraint rather than a guarantee.
Why the on-demand model has become a competitive advantage
Moving to flexible workspace is not only an economic decision. It is a matter of agility. Startups and SMEs were the first to adopt it, but today even large organizations are integrating it into their operating models. For example, Dropbox has transformed part of its offices into collaborative studios used on demand, integrating them with global remote work.
Coworking is the practical implementation of this model. It allows companies to book desks, meeting rooms, or private offices for days, weeks, or months—without constraints or upfront investments.
The benefits include:
– 20–33% reduction in rent and utilities
– Immediate scalability in case of growth or downsizing
– Fast access to professional offices in different cities
– Greater attractiveness for Gen Z talent, who prioritize flexibility and autonomy
Coworking spaces also encourage community, cross-pollination of ideas, and better work-life balance. The workspace becomes a performance tool, not a fixed cost.
From theory to practice: how to activate on-demand workspace with NOD
The on-demand model only works if it is easy to manage. NOD is an Italian platform that allows companies and professionals to access a network of more than 140 coworking spaces across Italy through a pay-per-use system.
For companies, this means:
– activating workspaces only when needed
– managing hybrid or distributed teams
– reducing unused real estate costs
– monitoring usage through a centralized dashboard
– offering employees real autonomy and flexibility
If you are rethinking your organizational model and want to understand how to integrate an on-demand workspace into your company strategy, NOD is the simplest starting point.
👉 Discover how to activate NOD for your team.
