Telecom operator, Vodafone has announced the launch of a new feature aimed at business customers called, ‘Vodafone Smartphone Professional’.

The new feature will allow users to safely access company data on their individual devices. The tool, which works on a web-based model, will allow companies to manage the smartphones on their networks enabling their employees to securely access company data.

The online portal of the new feature will allow IT administrators to control the use of applications, restrict a device's functionality and also delete all sensitive information if the device is stolen or lost, all without interfering with the employees’ personal data.

It also includes over-the-air and on-device encryption of business data like email, calendar and contacts. The operator will also offer a data allowance of 500MB and more for each user on its network.

“With smartphones becoming increasingly popular, securing the way data is accessed and stored on these devices is crucial. Many businesses want to allow employees to use the mobile device that they choose to do their job most effectively,” Vodafone UK enterprise director Peter Kelly, said in a statement.

The Vodafone Smartphone Professional will have an activation charge of £50 and will cost £20 per user per month for customers in the UK.