Will Telecommuting Kill a Career?
coondoggie writes to mention that Network World has a piece taking a look at the effects of the telecommute on advancement within your career. From the article: "Over 60% of 1,320 global executives surveyed by executive search firm Korn/Ferry International said they believe that telecommuters are less likely to advance in their careers in comparison to employees working in traditional office settings. Company executives want face time with their employees, the study said."
Ok, just from the top of my head or a quick google:
Shared Whiteboard: http://www.imaginationcubed.com/LaunchPage
Talk to the guy: Skype / IM / regular telephone
Demonstrate a computer environment: VNC / http://www.crossloop.com/ / https://www.iremotepc.com/ / many more
And as for other things like calendar and task management - there's a deluge of those.
Anything else? The internet has most likely got it covered! Face-to-face time is only really needed these days for those who get some sort of warm, fuzzy reassurance from it.