A LIVINGSTON-BASED technology firm is aiming to capitalise on the success of iPhone software downloads retailer AppStore by launching a business tool on the platform in tandem with Cisco Systems.

IPcell and Cisco are teaming up to launch Cisco VPN Client, which enables businesses to access information about their customers confidentially.

It comes as Adventi, an IT services group based in Bellshill, launched a competition for students to develop AppStore applications after Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said earlier this month that the platform had become a huge success since the launch of the 3G iPhone and would soon turn over $1billion (£533m) a year.

Alasdair Rhodes of IPcell said that Cisco VPN Client was designed to allow workers to access details about customers or other business information securely over their iPhones. It is primarily aimed at small businesses, since most large enterprises will buy similar services as part of a much larger communications package. IPcell is providing the connectivity application.

The service, which launches next month and will also be available over certain Nokia smartphones, is one attempt to make AppStore and the iPhone more popular with the business community. Due to concerns about things like security, the previous lack of 3G and the need to use the consumer-oriented iTunes on desktop computers to communicate with the handsets, businesses have thus far been relatively wary of the devices. This is reflected by the fact that of the 1500 software applications to download, the top 10 include disco ball download Crazy Disco, a Wikipedia viewer and Texas Hold'Em poker.

"The iPhone is very popular among consumers, but not as a business tool," said Rhodes. "Apple is trying to make it more like a BlackBerry, and we are expecting a lot of interest in our product."

Advent's competition is a response to the fact that AppStore development in Scotland has been slow off the mark, aside from the IPcell launch. This is despite the fact that Apple offers a 50-50 revenue split with developers for all sales over the platform.

Eddie Chance, chief executive of Adventi Group, explained: "Young people know what the iPhone is; they use it and they're excited by it because it brings together many of the things that interest and motivate them, be that music, social networking, games and so on. We want to show them that they can build a career around this."

The competition offers the winner the chance to work with Adventi to commercialise their product.