A HI-TECH firm has launched an app to help small and medium sized businesses manage their mobile workforces effectively and reduce paperwork.

Yes Workforce, based at Paragon Business Park in Horwich, has adapted technology it used for large corporations, such as TNT, for other smaller businesses.

Founder and chief executive Chris Flynn said the mobile app is perfect for any organisation with a blue collar workforce.

Up to 20 people from Bolton and Manchester worked on the development of the app before the launch.

The cloud-based system enables teams of workers on the move to co-ordinate jobs and exchange information easily through the mobile app, reducing paperwork and improving efficiency.

The software also allows users to capture signatures, fill out automatically generated time sheets and send and receive photographs — all from their mobile.

Mr Flynn, aged 40, said: “The real-time dashboard makes it easy to schedule and reallocate jobs for multiple employees.

“Teams can also run real-time reports and view live updates from their workers on the move.”

Salford born and raised, Mr Flynn started Yes Workforce in 2008, and hailed Bolton and, in particular, the Horwich/ Middlebrook area as perfect for his business.

“It has great motorway links,” he said. “We’re minutes from the M61 and we are near some excellent facilities, like the Macron (Bolton Wanderers) Stadium, where we can use the facilities.

“There are other hi-tech companies here as well, like AO.com, and you feel at the centre of a technological hub.

“Our vision is to help businesses become more efficient, helping them to eliminate time consuming paperwork so they can focus on what they do best.

“Demand for our cloud-based solution has been extremely encouraging, and I’m confident that this will continue to grow.”