Often, in-house Lotus Notes Administrators learn about advanced tools that are available, but because the tools are not immediately necessary, their company may not invest in them. Since LBP Administrators often support multiple clients and are paid to keep systems optimal, new tools and techniques are encouraged.

3. Great projects in a variety of industries
Tom Bojarski of TSP (Technology Solutions Providers) in North Carolina said the "variety of projects" is a major reason to consider an LBP. Burke Allen, President of NovoLogic, Inc. in Georgia, summed up what a number of LBPs told me. "The diversity and challenge of multiple projects for different businesses and technical situations makes it fun, and it makes the developers more valuable because they have such exposure."

4. Create products
Brooke Aker, President of Connecticut-based Cipher Systems, reminded me that many partners create applications that become mainstream products and influence the overall marketplace. This gives developers the best of both worlds, solving client problems and watching their solution become a viable entity in the marketplace, thus solving the problems of many firms.

5. Environment
Most partners interviewed commented on the pleasant environment in which LBPs work. Many employees have flextime, have partial tele-commutes, and operate in an inherently entrepreneurial environment. "You get the benefit of working in a small, dynamic company that cares about you," said Key Haskins, President of Open Systems, Inc. in North Carolina. One of the other benefits is that most LBP Developers do very little maintenance work and instead concentrate on new development, cutting down on monotony.

6. Commitment to Lotus products
It's obvious that an LBP has a commitment to Notes technology; they have a vested interest. But what does that mean to you, the prospective employee? In the corporate world, where the technology focus can change with the hiring of a new CIO, you won't be forced to look for a job because your company is changing technology.

7. You're a profit center
Mark Milam, Director of Solutions for IT Factory, the largest LBP in the world, explains that employees are "treated better because they are a strategic resource" as opposed to a cost center in industry. When companies look to cut expenses in a tight economy, would you rather be a profit center or part of an expense?

8. Relationship with clients
Mark Hicks, President of BizMark Development in Louisiana, said partners become close with the customers for whom they provide solutions. This relationship goes beyond one-time, in-out solutions; you become an extension of their business. Palen of InterNoded said her Project Managers wear many hats: project management, coding, people management, and sales. Their job is "not about time lines, but about understanding what the customer is trying to accomplish," said Palen. At InterNoded, like many other LBPs, Project Managers work side-by-side with sales representatives to ensure customer satisfaction.