Cbeyond Inc. (CBEY) announced the availability of Cbeyond Mobile Workforce Manager, a mobile location-based services and resource management application suite powered by software from Xora. This new service drives increased revenue opportunities and reduced operating costs for companies with field service operations, the companies said.

Hosted on Cbeyond’s network, small businesses do not need to invest in any software or IT infrastructure to take advantage of Cbeyond Mobile Workforce Manager. They just purchase a smartphone and mobile data plan from Cbeyond and download the application wirelessly. Once the application is loaded, Cbeyond customers have instant access to the location of their mobile employees, and the savings from reduced payroll and overtime costs, fewer fleet miles, and increased mobile employee productivity can reach an estimated $1,500 per mobile employee, per year.

Cbeyond Mobile Workforce Manager’s Web-based interface gives small businesses the ability to monitor the location and status of all field-based employees. Additionally, the application automates payroll by providing a tamper-proof method of collecting employee timecards. Cbeyond Mobile Workforce Manager also eliminates inefficient paper-based processes and avoids manual data entry by integrating with back-office systems, like QuickBooks.

With real-time visibility into field worker locations, new jobs can be assigned based on which worker is nearest to the new job site, improving customer service and fleet efficiency. Additionally, Cbeyond Mobile Workforce Manger’s ability to track driver speeds reduces traffic violations, lowers fuel and insurance costs and improves driver safety. The application also enables mobile workers to gather critical details from the field by including pictures and voice notes along with job reports.

Cbeyond Mobile Workforce Manager is currently available via wireless download for the BlackBerry 8830, BlackBerry Pearl, BlackBerry Curve and Moto Q 9c smartphones. A data plan ($40 per month) is required with the purchase of each smartphone. There is a $25 set-up fee per smartphone and a $20 per month service fee per smartphone for Cbeyond Mobile Workforce Manager.