Tech, Trends, Workspace Views and UltraSoft News
The way we work is being redefined—again. Tech-driven workspace operators are stepping up with smarter, faster, and more connected solutions, using automation and data to solve for everything from member onboarding to space planning. If you’re building for what’s next, now’s the time to level up.
Across the globe, flexibility is dominating strategy. Vacancy rates are breaking records, flex demand is rising, and companies are rethinking what office space should even be. In this roundup: why IWG is betting big on asset-light growth, why flexible office space now makes up 2.6% of U.S. inventory, and how Canada’s commercial real estate market is outperforming the U.S.
Find Out How Data and Automation Are Unlocking Huge Growth Opportunities for Workspace Operators
We recently joined The Future of Work® Podcast, where our founder & CEO Harun Biswas shared how AI, automation, and data are transforming flexible workspace operations. With insights from decades of industry leadership, Harun breaks down how human-centric technology is powering smarter decisions, streamlining operations, and driving profitability across coworking spaces. If you're building a future-ready workspace, this episode is a must-listen.
Listen to the podcast here or read about it here
Your Tech Stack Is Costing You Time. Here’s the Smarter Fix
Struggling with scattered systems? Plug-and-play integrations make coworking operations smoother and smarter. UltraSoftBIS lets you connect billing, CRM, access, events, and more—without tech headaches. Streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and deliver a seamless member experience from sign-up to renewal. Whether you're scaling to new locations or just starting out, UltraSoftBIS helps you stay agile, engaged, and future-ready. Read more here
Industry News
Over half of global office occupiers now use flexible space, with 17% planning to expand further. Flex usage hit 61% in EMEA, 58% in the Americas, and 43% in APAC — where India leads with 15.4M sq ft leased in 2024. U.S. flex inventory rose 11% YoY, now 2.6% of total stock. Rising RTO mandates, high fit-out costs, and demand for agility are fueling this global expansion.
IWG opened 496 new locations in H1 2025—more than in its entire first decade. Its asset-light franchise model drove a 26% revenue jump in Managed & Franchised spaces, while overall occupancy and margins improved. Despite a 6% profit rise to $262M, IWG lowered its full-year EBITDA forecast, triggering a 17% stock drop. CEO Mark Dixon shrugged off the sell-off, citing market overreaction and reaffirming confidence in long-term demand for hybrid work solutions.
Canada is beating the U.S. in commercial real estate performance, thanks to faster population growth, lower interest rates (10-year yields are over 1% lower), and tighter office and retail supply. Canada has just 12.6 sq ft of office space per capita vs. 16.5 in the U.S., and its real estate prices have held steady while U.S. values fell. As U.S. market volatility grows, investors are eyeing Canada’s stability, demographic tailwinds, and stronger long-term returns.
U.S. office vacancies hit a record 20.7% in Q2 2025, with San Francisco leading at 27.7%. Cities like New York and Charlotte also face 23%+ vacancies. With $290B in office loans maturing by 2027 and property taxes falling, cities and lenders are under pressure. Developers are pivoting away from offices toward logistics centers and apartment conversions—149M sq ft of office space is already slated for reuse as America redefines where work happens.
U.S. companies now require an average of 2.87 office days per week—up 12% since mid-2024—but employee attendance has only risen 1–3%. While big firms push for stricter in-office schedules, smaller companies keep flexibility alive—and those flexible workplaces are growing nearly twice as fast.
China’s youth unemployment hit a staggering 17.8% in July, sparking a strange new trend: young people paying to work in “fake offices.” For just $4 a day, jobless young people rent desks with Wi-Fi and snacks in cities like Chengdu to mimic a real workday. This pretend office culture offers structure, relief from family pressure, and a sense of normalcy amid a tough job market—turning desperation into a surprising coping strategy.
Who is UltraSoftBIS?
UltraSoftBIS is an all-in-one software for business centre operators, coworking spaces, and flexible workplaces. It automates key tasks like sales, proposals, license generation, e-signatures, inventory management, reservations, billing, and reporting in a single integrated system.
