First on my list is Gmail and Google's office suite and calendar. Their spam protection is very good and you can add additional functionality through labs. I generally have most of my emails forward to a gmail account. The applications are perfect workarounds to MS Office.

If you're hiring anyone, I'd recommend Hirevue, a video interviewing service that I've just to hire all of my offshore staff. I would not hire someone for a virtual or off-site position without it. (It's pretty pricey but it's fantastic.)