PARK RIDGE, N.J. -- The Hertz Corp. has integrated real-time flight tracking into its online car rental system.

FlightView, developed by RLM Software, tracks customer flights using current radar data and automatically notifies Hertz of a flight's status. As a result, customers providing Hertz with flight details will find their rental car waiting for them, no matter when the plane arrives -- early, late or on time.

Hertz said the new real-time technology means no waiting and no hassles when customers pick up their rental car. The technology has also enabled Hertz to make operational improvements, including better space and fleet utilization. That's because the accuracy of the estimated time of arrival for each flight allows the company to manage its fleet and prepare rental vehicles in a more timely fashion.

"FlightView enables Hertz to prepare customers' rental cars while they are in flight, thus ensuring that vehicles are ready for customers upon their arrival," said Claude Burgess, vice president of technology and e-business for Hertz. "In addition to the customer benefits, information gleaned from the database allows Hertz to plan its operations in a more effective manner."

FlightView is used by many travel-related organizations including commercial airlines, airports, travel Web sites, and ground transportation companies. The software tracks air traffic in the United States and Canada, including Alaska, Hawaii and inbound overseas flights. FlightView data includes scheduled flight information, real-time radar data, and projected arrival times.