Remote access partition and install Linux. With a Near Zero skilled operator at the remote site.

[Shawn C. Powell]

It seems like the hurdle is bootstrapping, in as simple a manner as possible, 
some kind of connectivity so you can proceed with the work.  

What about setting up a VPN server on your end and let them connect to you?  
PoPToP on your end for Windows ---  I'm not sure what kind of built-in/easy 
VPN clients Knoppix provides.

Regards
-Shawn