As to connecting/accessing remote files [other than AC db files] there are a couple of options if the user doesn't want remote desktop.
Google Apps for commercial use will give you shared editing/use of documents while making them available where-ever you have network. The up-side over Sharepoint or similar is the ease of administration/support. There is a free version with more limited capabilities.
Another choice that is not as collaborative, nor as instantaneous, but serviceable is Dropbox. There is also a free version of that.
