RIM has launched BlackBerry Management Center, a free online service for small businesses to centrally manage BlackBerry handsets in their workforces. 

The service is designed for businesses with up to 100 BlackBerry smartphones that access email services from an internet service provider (ISP) or web-based email services like Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo!, says RIM. 

“We are pleased to introduce RIMs latest cloud service designed specifically for small businesses,” says Alan Panezic, VP of enterprise product management at RIM. “BlackBerry Management Center is a free service and an effective way to manage and support employees BlackBerry smartphones in the cloud.”

BlackBerry Management Center allows businesses to wirelessly back up BlackBerry smartphones automatically on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. It can remotely reset the password, lock, and wipe the contents of a BlackBerry (including the microSD card), and also locate a lost BlackBerry by remotely triggering a loud ring. The solution also lets businesses easily restore settings and content on a new or replacement device. 

The management suite is available new from the BlackBerry website.