Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) is a leading global provider of business data and analytics that enables companies worldwide to gain valuable insights, make more informed decisions, and drive business growth. Established in 1841, D&B has evolved from a traditional business information publisher to a comprehensive data and analytics powerhouse. The company leverages its extensive database and analytical capabilities to empower organizations in various sectors, including finance, risk management, compliance, marketing, and sales.

Historical Background

Dun & Bradstreet’s history dates back to 1841 when Lewis Tappan, a savvy businessman, founded the “Mercantile Agency” in New York City. The objective was to create a network of correspondents who could provide reliable, timely intelligence on the creditworthiness of merchants and traders across the United States. This service addressed a critical need in the expanding American economy, where businesses required trustworthy information to make credit decisions.

Over the years, the Mercantile Agency evolved and merged with other players, eventually becoming known as Dun & Bradstreet in 1933 after merging with R.G. Dun & Company. The company has since grown into a global leader in business information and analytics.

Core Services and Solutions

Dun & Bradstreet provides a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses. These solutions are built upon the company’s extensive global database and are categorized into the following key areas:

Business Data and Analytics

D&B’s core offering is its vast database, which includes information on over 400 million businesses worldwide. This data is meticulously collected, verified, and analyzed, providing customers with accurate and up-to-date information. Key features include:

• D-U-N-S® Number: A unique nine-digit identifier assigned to each business entity, ensuring consistency and clarity in identifying and tracking businesses globally.
• Credit Ratings: Comprehensive credit reports and scores that help businesses assess the creditworthiness of potential partners, customers, and suppliers.
• Financial Health Indicators: Detailed financial performance indicators to evaluate the financial stability and risk associated with businesses.

Risk Management Solutions

D&B’s risk management solutions help organizations mitigate risk and enhance their decision-making processes. These solutions include:

• Credit Risk Management: Tools and analytics to assess the credit risk of customers, suppliers, and partners, enabling businesses to make informed credit decisions and minimize bad debt.
• Supplier Risk Management: Solutions to evaluate and monitor the risk associated with suppliers and vendors, ensuring a stable and reliable supply chain.
• Compliance and Regulatory Risk: Tools to help businesses comply with regulatory requirements, prevent fraud, and manage risks related to anti-money laundering (AML), know your customer (KYC), and other compliance areas.

Sales and Marketing Solutions

D&B’s sales and marketing solutions empower businesses to drive growth by leveraging data-driven insights and analytics. Key offerings include:

• Data Enrichment: Enhancing customer data with accurate and comprehensive information to improve targeting and personalization.
• Lead Generation: Tools to identify and prioritize high-potential leads based on data-driven criteria.
• Market Segmentation: Analysis and segmentation of markets to identify new opportunities and develop targeted marketing strategies.

Master Data Management

D&B’s Master Data Management (MDM) solutions help organizations improve data quality and consistency across the enterprise. These solutions include:

• Data Governance: Implementing data governance frameworks to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
• Data Integration: Integrating data from multiple sources to create a unified and accurate view of business entities.
• Data Quality Management: Tools and processes to cleanse, standardize, and enrich data, ensuring high-quality and reliable information.

Technology and Innovation

Dun & Bradstreet has continuously evolved its technology and innovation capabilities to stay at the forefront of the industry. The company leverages advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics to enhance its offerings and provide deeper insights to customers.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

D&B utilizes AI and ML to analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and generate predictive insights. These technologies enable the development of more accurate risk models, credit scores, and business intelligence solutions.

Big Data Analytics

D&B’s big data analytics capabilities allow the processing and analysis of massive datasets to uncover trends, correlations, and actionable insights. This helps businesses make data-driven decisions and identify new opportunities for growth.

Cloud Computing

D&B leverages cloud computing to provide scalable, flexible, and secure data solutions. Cloud-based platforms enable seamless access to data and analytics, ensuring that customers can leverage insights from anywhere, at any time.

Global Reach and Presence

Dun & Bradstreet has a significant global presence, with operations in over 200 countries and territories. The company’s extensive network of partners and affiliates ensures comprehensive coverage and access to business information worldwide.

Key Markets and Regions

D&B serves customers across various industries and regions, with a strong presence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. The company’s global reach enables it to provide localized solutions and insights tailored to the unique needs of different markets.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Dun & Bradstreet has established strategic partnerships and collaborations with leading technology companies, industry associations, and regulatory bodies. These partnerships enhance the company’s capabilities and expand its reach, allowing it to deliver even more value to customers.

Notable Partnerships

• Microsoft: Collaboration with Microsoft to integrate D&B’s data and analytics into Microsoft’s cloud services, enhancing user experience and providing deeper insights.
• Salesforce: Partnership with Salesforce to offer seamless integration of D&B’s data and analytics into Salesforce’s customer relationship management (CRM) platform, enabling better customer insights and decision-making.
• SAP: Integration of D&B’s data and analytics with SAP’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, providing users with comprehensive business information and insights.

Customer Success Stories

Dun & Bradstreet’s solutions have helped numerous organizations achieve significant business outcomes. Some notable customer success stories include:

• Improving Credit Risk Management: A large financial institution successfully reduced its bad debt and improved credit risk assessment by leveraging D&B’s credit risk management solutions.
• Enhancing Supplier Risk Management: A global manufacturing company streamlined its supply chain and mitigated supplier risks by utilizing D&B’s supplier risk management tools.
• Driving Sales Growth: A technology company achieved substantial sales growth and improved lead generation by implementing D&B’s data enrichment and market segmentation solutions.

Conclusion

Dun & Bradstreet is a trusted global leader in business data and analytics, providing organizations with the insights and tools they need to drive growth, mitigate risks, and make informed decisions. With a rich history spanning over 180 years, a vast global database, advanced technology capabilities, and strategic partnerships, D&B continues to innovate and deliver value to customers worldwide.

For more information, visit the official Dun & Bradstreet website.