I would like to hire some home based agents using some kind of virtual
call center system. This is how I perceive it to be working:
1) An agent who is available and willing to work, will log on into a
PC based software.
2) Customers from USA will call a toll free number. Calls will be
routed to the first available agent logged into his PC software
system. Phone will ring and agent will take the call.
3) Calls duration and basic information will be recorded into a system
to pay agents.
4) When an agent is not available, they will log out of the software.

I am interested in evaluating some softwares and selecting one based
on the price and simplicty of use.

I need to know:

1) Five or more systems\software\companies who provide above services?
2) How much do they cost?
3) Which one would you recommend and why?
4) Some basic features like Call forwarding so that agents can log in
and forward calls to their cell phone etc are asset.
5) VOIP support.

Please let me know if you come across something even better for my
home-shoring needs.

You may be right. My knowledge in this field is very limited so I am
not sure if a solution from
http://www.stratasoft.com/products/home-based-call-center-agents.asp
will meet our requirement or no.

You may want to set up a dynamic website as far as crm is concerned.

For the purpose of recieving calls you can look at voip phones which
are easily available at very low costs and set them up at the agents'
locations'. An exact and accurate report regarding the "logged in"
time can be provided by the Voip phone service provider.

Sounds like a very makeshift option but it just might work. I am
currently doing something on very similar lines and this is the most
effective and cost effective solution I could come up with.

Hope this helps.
Aman