The app has been developed by the software experts at Manchester-based Crystal Ball following an investment of hundreds of thousands of pounds. Now the company has announced an agreement with 400 dealers nationwide to sell the system, which is being targeted at operators of company car and commercial vehicle fleets.

The system works on GPS-enabled smart phones, including Blackberrys, Nokias, HTCs, Sony Ericssons and Samsungs, and is said to offer a number of benefits to fleet operators, including the fact that the technology can be used without installing GPS tracking boxes in vehicles – this opens it up to use on "grey fleet" vehicles.

In addition, Crystal Ball is highlighting how the app can be used to track employees after they have left a vehicle, providing lone worker protection.

The company says that the system provides extensive live data for fleet management, which can be viewed in real time online. The application monitors speed, journey time, distance and precise location as well as incoming and outgoing mobile phone call and text information through a web-based system.

It's backed up by a comprehensive reports suite and the information is held for three months on the system so it can be downloaded and saved.
 
Raj Singh, managing director of Crystal Ball, said: 'The system’s uses are endless. It can help businesses improve their customer service, productivity, efficiency and profitability and help management protect their employees at a fraction of the cost of conventional vehicle tracking.

'Crystal Ball mobile tracking is also more versatile than conventional vehicle tracking. Employers don’t have to worry about re-installs and de-installs of equipment in their vehicle fleet or taking vehicles off the road to fit the technology when they can use mobile phones to track their workforce.

'The amount of legislation that exists out there is frightening and businesses are liable for so many things today. Our technology can help them cope with that. It gives real-time information and is as portable as a phone.'
 
The system is available from £6.94 per month per handset.