We're a small shop with 4 developers. We need some training in n-tier development. (We have a general concept but not a working knowledge of how the pieces all fit.) We also could use advice in regards to moving our current system (built on an in-house framework) towards an n-tier system.

We have hired a few companies in the past for different consulting type roles and have paid large amounts of money to wind up greatly disappointed in the "advice" they actually offered. In fact, they never really gave a recommendation in regards to what we acutally hired them for.

We've looked into hiring the likes of Kevin McNeish or EPS to provide mentoring/training but the cost is hard for our accountants to swallow.

I'm wondering what other options are available. Can someone recommend a reliable group that can provide quality training/mentoring at a reasonable cost? (I guess that's what everyone wants right?)

Thanks much.