A communication system for use in accessing switch functionality from an external endpoint is provided. The system includes:(a) a switch 104; and(b) an internal endpoint 106 and an external endpoint 116. Each of the internal and external endpoints is in communication with the switch and associated with a common user. The internal endpoint comprises a plurality of feature activators for activating a plurality of switch-based features, and each feature activator has an associated feature activator identifier and/or an associated feature identifier. The switch comprises a feature access agent 216 operable to (a) receive from the at least one external endpoint a contact comprising a feature activate identifier; (b) determine if the feature activate identifier has a corresponding entry in a stored list of feature activate identifiers associated with a plurality of feature activator identifiers and/or a plurality of feature identifiers; and (c) when the feature activate identifier has a corresponding entry in the stored list, activate at least one of the associated feature activator and feature.