That plug-and-play model curbs outlays on servers, storage, networking equipment, on-site IT staff and juicy maintenance contracts precious savings for small-and mid-sized companies looking to do more with less.

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Employer-clients like Boeing, Citigroup, Pfizer and Microsoft sign contracts in which they agree to pay everything from construction costs to ongoing maintenance in return for on-site child care services for their employees' children. (Often, these employer "sponsors" will also subsidize the parents' tuition.) Under certain "cost-plus" contracts, the employer-sponsors will even shoulder some of the care center's risk in exchange for more control of the operations.

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