Decoding DUNS Numbers: The Business Passport to the Global Marketplace

It is often said that having a DUNS number can open doors to new business opportunities and enhance a company’s credibility in the marketplace. But what is a DUNS Number?

DUNS Numbers: A Universal Business Identifier

A DUNS Number is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned to a single business entity. Created by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) in 1963, it serves as a global reference for businesses across various industries.

Think of it as a digital fingerprint for companies, allowing them to be recognized and tracked worldwide. Whether a startup or an established enterprise, DUNS Numbers can be a strategic advantage in today’s interconnected business landscape across global markets and continents. Here are some key points about DUNS Numbers:

1. Purpose and Significance:

• DUNS Numbers serve as a universal business identifier, allowing companies to be recognized globally.
• They are used for various purposes, including credit reporting, supplier evaluation, and government contracting.

2. Features and Benefits:

• Uniqueness: Each DUNS Number corresponds to a specific business location or branch.
• Credit Reporting: DUNS Numbers connect to a company’s business credit file, providing information on credit history, ratings, and scores.
• Supply Chain Evaluation: Businesses can assess supply chain risks by checking the DUNS Numbers of their partners.
• Loan and Grant Processing: Financial institutions often require DUNS Numbers for loan and grant applications.
• Business Identity: DUNS Numbers are tied to a company’s Live Business Identity, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.

3. Who Uses DUNS Numbers?

• Companies: Over 500 million businesses worldwide have DUNS Numbers.
• Government Agencies: Many government contracts and grants require DUNS Numbers.
• Financial Institutions: They use DUNS Numbers for credit assessments.
• Suppliers and Partners: Evaluating the creditworthiness of potential partners.
• Risk Management Professionals: Assessing compliance needs and supply chain risks.

Let’s understand the key benchmark scales for DUNS Number scores, which play a crucial role in assessing a company’s financial health and risk. Here are the key scores and ratings associated with DUNS Numbers:

1. PAYDEX® Score:

• The PAYDEX measures a business’s past payment performance based on information in the Dun & Bradstreet Data Cloud.
• Scores range from 1 to 100, with 100 being the best possible PAYDEX Score.
• Risk Categories:
• 0 to 49: High risk of late payment.
• 50 to 79: Moderate risk.
• 80 to 100: Low risk.

2. D&B® Delinquency Predictor Score (DPS):

• The DPS predicts the likelihood of late payments, bankruptcy, or future payment failures.
• Scores range from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating a low chance of delinquency and 5 suggesting a high chance.

3. D&B® Failure Score (formerly Financial Stress Score):

• The Failure Score assesses the likelihood of financial stress (e.g., filing for bankruptcy) within a 12-month outlook.
• It also uses a 1 to 5 rating, with 1 being low risk and 5 indicating higher risk.

4. D&B® Supplier Evaluation Risk (SER) Rating:

• Crucial for suppliers and businesses in supply chains.
• Predicts the chance that a supplier will become inactive or shut down within the next 12 months.
• An inactive supplier can significantly disrupt a company’s supply chain and overall business.

These scores and ratings are essential tools for businesses, lenders, and suppliers to evaluate creditworthiness, manage risk, and make informed decisions.

Having a DUNS Number can open doors to new business opportunities, enhance visibility and credibility of companies, give access to favourable terms of finances in the marketplace. Whether a startup or an established enterprise, understanding and leveraging DUNS Number can be a strategic advantage.

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