Dunn and Bradstreet
Dunn and Bradstreet is a global leader in business decision-making data and analytics. They assist businesses around the world by providing the information they need when they are contemplating doing business with or extending credit to a business.
Dunn and Bradstreet have about 6000 employees worldwide collecting the data business owners need to make essential business decisions. Their data and insights are valuable at all stages of a company’s lifecycle and in any economic environment.
Businesses of all sizes have relied on Dunn & Bradstreet to manage risk and uncover opportunities since 1841.
Their solutions generate data-driven insights that assist clients in targeting, growing, collecting, procuring, and complying even in changing times. The data actionable can be difficult when it comes to data about customers, vendors, and partners. Business decision-making data, insights, and solutions from Dunn & Bradstreet help guide intelligent actions that can drive competitive advantage.
Brief History of Dunn and Bradstreet
To assist American merchants in making decisions, in 1841 an enterprising businessman named Lewis Tappan established a network of correspondents. These correspondents would serve as a source of reliable, consistent, and objective credit information.
Mercantile Agency in New York, the former name of Dunn and Bradstreet was one of the first organizations formed solely to provide customers with business information.
Understanding Dunn and Bradstreet (D&B)
Following the introduction of the revolutionary DUNS numbers, a unique nine-digit identifier for each company enabled greater data exchange. The company launched its Data Cloud, which provides access to a variety of data points about a company.
It includes credit score, regulatory filings, business structure, ownership, and principles. Subscription services, business intelligence reports, data license agreements, partnerships with the public sector, and concierge support services for small businesses are among its revenue segments.
What is Data Universal Number System (DUNS)
The Dunn and Bradstreet DUNS Number is a nine-digit business identifier.
Lenders and potential business partners frequently use DUNs Numbers to predict the reliability and/or financial stability of the company in question. DUNS is used to keep up-to-date and timely information on hundreds of millions of global businesses.
The DUN Number also allows for the identification of relationships between corporate entities (hierarchies and linkages). Which is an important component of Live Business Identity and commercial risk assessment practices.
Why do I need a DUNS number?
DUNS Numbers were used all over the world to identify businesses and business owners and gain access to business information. A DUNS Number identifies a company’s Dunn and Bradstreet business credit file, which may include firmographic data (company name, address, phone number, and so on), corporate family relationships (headquarters, branches, subsidiaries, and so on), and scores and ratings that assess various financial health indicators.
This information profile is known as the Dunn and Bradstreet Live Business Identity when taken as a whole. Potential partners and lenders can use your DUNs Number or other business identifiers to request a business credit report on your company. You can also use the DUNs Number to get the same information about any company with which you want to work.
How to get your DUNS number?
You can apply for your DUNS number on the Dunn and Bradstreet website. After you apply, you will receive a free DUNS Number within 30 days. If you need your number sooner, you can pay an extra $229 for expedited delivery (five days).
Applying for a DUNS number is a simple process, but you must first register your company as a legal entity (LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, etc.) with your state. You’ll need to provide information such as:
- Your legal name and the names of any other business owners
- Your business name
- Name of your company’s headquarters and address
- Your phone number, whether you’re a home-based business
- Number of employees at your physical location
How do I use my DUNS number to establish business credit?
After you’ve established your company and obtained your DUNS number, you can begin to build business credit. To keep your business finances separate from your essential finances:
- You should open a business bank account
- You’ll be able to start building credit by paying expenses like vendor invoices on time
- You can also get a business credit card to help build your credit history
- Look for a card that can help you build your business credit
Remember that not all accounts will report your credit to Dunn and Bradstreet, so you may need to open additional accounts to help you build credit under your DUNS number.
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