DUNS number registration

[bga]

Hi All,

A potential client has asked us for our DUNS number. This isn't something that we have considered before so I wanted to get any feedback on the pro's and con's from others who have gone through the process. I've had a poke about the internet but most of the info is just replicating the sales spiel on the D&B website.

If it helps, we are a small consultancy firm with approx £1.5m t/o.

To date none of our other clients (FTSE100 companies) have required a D&B number.

Any info would be really useful

Thanks

[sgrimshaw]

30 seconds on Google ...

http://www.dnb.co.uk/duns-form.asp

[bga]

Thanks but I've already read the spiel in their site. I was more after the opinions of people who had registered and any snippets of info that D&B don't include in their sales patter.

[sgrimshaw]

If your potential customer requires D&B then you've only two choices I guess, regardless of what D&B means for you.

Potential customer Public sector by any chance?

[bga]

PS clients always make us jump through hoops but all they have required so far is audited accounts from us.

This one is a bluechip but they are placing rather onerous prequalification demands for work that I am dubious about to start with.

One concern I have is that when registered, you have to jump through hoops and pay for the data that they hold on you. If that's the sort of operation that they run then I'm not interested TBH

[CaptainSlow]

AFAIK there is no charge for a DUNS, I hadn't actually realised you had to apply for on

[sgrimshaw]

Somoe health trusts use D&B number for the Supplier Number, gives a standard Supplier Numbering system for free.

Actually, not a bad idea.

[mrsxllifts]

We had to apply for a DUNS number when we got CHAS, it only takes a couple of minutes online, is completely free and they get back to you within 48 hrs. Its an easy hoop to lump through compared to some.

[bga]

Thanks for the info folks. The clinche will be what their charges are for accessing the data that they hold on us. If it is a token fee like the consumer credit organisations then that is good. If it is a few hundred pounds then we will do without it as a matter of principal.

[MrBet]

What does a DUNS number provide more that a company registration number?

[bga]

As I understand it, the number is what D&B use to collate credit info which they subsequently charge companies to access. I'll speak to them on Monday & find out what it's all about. I would have thought that the number issued by Companies House or out VAT reg number would suffice.

[Frimley111R]

'D.U.N.S.' number is D&B's own internal reference number of company records. You could surely jusy call them up and ask them what number they have given to your company. It's no secret. Experian have the same thing, called 'B.U.R.N.S.'

[bga]

I spoke to D&B earlier. I have to make a formal application for them to issue a number.

The operative ran through the data they hold on us, I couldn't find anything in there that isn't provided at Companies House, provided by our clients or speculation/estimation on their part.

The DUNS info is only required for the client if it is a non-UK company they are doing business with. In this case it's not needed. With this in mind we'll do without it.