Remote control software firm RealVNC is readying a toolkit for developers that will enable applications to remotely control and manage mobile devices anywhere in the world.

VNC Mobile Solution, to be officially launched at Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona later this month, is based on the same protocols as the cross-platform VNC remote control software developed previously by the founders of RealVNC.

The product will consist of a software development kit, including specialised versions of the VNC Server that runs on the mobile device, and the VNC Viewer used for remote control.

Both are packaged as modules to enable developers to incorporate VNC functionality quickly and easily into their existing application, according to RealVNC.

It will initially target mobile devices based on Symbian, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry platforms, with support for others to follow later in the year.

A key market for the product will be vendors of management tools, either for mobile devices or broader enterprise systems management, which can extend their products by adding in the ability to remotely access mobile devices.

"IT departments and third-party support organisations are facing the challenge of managing and supporting the growing cloud of mobile devices and applications," said RealVNC chief executive Dr Andy Harter.

VNC Mobile Solution will provide a way for tools with which IT managers are already familiar to be extended seamlessly with remote control capabilities, he added.