Dun and Bradstreet numbers keep companies around the world in the loop of information concerning other businesses they might be interested in acquiring. Companies need to know that the global D and B database grew by over 10 million records to 80 million businesses in 2002. They also have to be aware that more than 40,000 new family tree members were added to the database the same year, which brought the total number of globally linked businesses to 7.6 million; and the numbers continue to swell.

Dun and Bradstreet numbers are among the most accurate and trusted. They have to stay on top of their network, and do so competently. Considering their US marketing file increased by over three million records to nearly 18 million businesses alone, this can be a tall order to fill.

Aside from profits, executive information, etc., Dun and Bradstreet numbers also keep companies up to speed on a company's shortcomings. For instance, in the next 60 minutes, 360 businesses will have a suit, lien or judgment filed against them and 20 corporations will fail. It also helps to know that within the next year, 20 percent of all company addresses will change, 21 percent of all CEOs will change, and 18 percent of telephone numbers will change.

For decades, Dun and Bradstreet numbers has been arguably the most dominant force in business credit information. In fact, more than 99 percent of the lending institutions use the D and B database! With the information age upon us, their influence only continues to expand.