Network Solutions Inc. and Dun & Bradstreet announced an
agreement that will make it possible for businesses to register an Internet
domain name and apply for a D&B D-U-N-S Number from either company’s Web site.
A D&B D-U-N-S Number is a distinctive nine-digit identification sequence that
D&B assigns to the more than 47 million businesses in its worldwide database.
It identifies companies by location, industry, country, and corporate
affiliation, including branches, subsidiaries and divisions.
Said Gabe Battista, chief executive officer of Network Solutions: “A company
needs an Internet address to establish a presence on the Internet and a
D-U-N-S Number to operate in the marketplace. Leveraging the strengths of
NSI and D&B makes it easier than ever before to create these identities.”
“This unique agreement between our companies will enable businesses to
conduct electronic commerce on the Web more smoothly and effectively,” said
Frank Fitzsimmons, senior vice president-Global Marketing at Dun &
Bradstreet. “Businesses will now have the two important prerequisites in
identifying partners with whom they conduct commerce. It’s a significant
step in developing and securing business-to-business cyberspace.”
As part of the agreement, NSI and D&B will place a hyperlink on each other’s
home page that will allow businesses and individuals registering for a domain
name to complete that task and then obtain their D-U-N-S Number or vice versa.
The companies said they plan to integrate the domain and D-U-N-S Number
registration process in the future. The two companies also intend to research
and develop additional services that will facilitate doing business on the
Internet.