IBM today launched new mobile software and services designed to help companies tap into the growing numbers of mobile internet users, and to enable more flexible and productive working practices in organisations.

Mobility@Work is a new consulting service from the IT giant designed to provide a framework for mobile working that could boost staff productivity and enable secure access to applications on the go, according to IBM.

The new Rational Host Access Transformation Services software allows users to access mainframe applications from mobile devices in a secure manner, while WebSphere Business Monitor – IBM's business process measurement and monitoring tool – is now available for the BlackBerry, with iPhone support to follow in Q4 2008.

Rational Business Developer, meanwhile, assists developers in the creation of Web 2.0-style applications for mainframe or mobile devices, written in IBM's Enterprise Generation Language.

"Utilising software assets from IBM Research combined with our services offerings provides unique opportunities to help companies quickly adapt to the mobile environment,” said Drew Clark, director of strategy at IBM's Venture Capital Group, in a statement.