Dun and Bradstreet (D&B)
What it is:
Dun & Bradstreet provides information about businesses through a global commercial database.
How it works (Example):
Founded more than 170 years ago, the company (NYSE: DNB) maintains a global database of information about more than 200 million businesses. Customers pay to use the database so they can learn more about certain businesses for credit or trade purposes.
The company was founded by Lewis Tappan in 1841. Tappan and several subsequent business partners developed the company into one that interprets and records information about the creditworthiness of companies, particularly small ones.
Why it Matters:
Dun & Bradstreet manages business information and helps companies communicate their creditworthiness. In 1962, it created the DUNS number (DUNS stands for Data Universal Numbering System), which is a system of identifying businesses by location.
