Microsoft’s System Center Mobile Device Manager (MDM) 2008 is now available to AT&T business customers who use Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphones, officials at AT&T said.

The carrier also announced its MDM Early Adopter QuickStart Program to help customers deploy that application.

Microsoft’s application includes security, mobile virtual private networking and software distribution tools.  With AT&T it applies to the HTC Tilt and MOTO Q smartphones.  Other phones will be added to the support list later this year, officials said.

Through the QuickStart system, “customers can define their mobility management and security requirements and build a ‘test’ scenario as well as deploy a proof of concept for evaluating and testing within their environment,” AT&T said.