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Frequently Asked Questions

BizSource and TrueSearch

What is BizSource?
BizSource is Experian's relatively new business credit database that aggregates all of Experian's commercial intelligence into a single master database.
What is TrueSearch?
TrueSearch is the official name given to the search and match technology that acts as the "brain" behind BizSource. TrueSearch engages a referential matching system that combines all variations of a company's name, address and associated data into a single “Business View” to ensure the right match. The quality of matches is continually optimized as the system "learns" how to classify new data and associate it with the right business.
Why are BizSource and TrueSearch important?
Together, BizSource and TrueSearch provide clients with more comprehensive credit records to make better informed credit decisions. Business intelligence tends to be fragmented and difficult to track as companies change names, ownership, addresses and affiliations with larger entities. BizSource and TrueSearch help overcome these data management challenges.
Will BizSource and TrueSearch impact the information available on a business?
Yes. In a sample test of 100,000 businesses in the BizSource database compared to the legacy system, the amount of credit information available for each business increased significantly. Deeper, more comprehensive credit records mean you have more information to make better decisions.

Business Identification Number (BIN)

How is each unique business defined in BizSource?
BizSource assigns a Business Identification Number (BIN) to each business location. The BIN is a unique 9-digit number that remains constant and enables BizSource to track all information associated with a business over time — even when the business name or address changes. BIN FACTS:
  • 9 digit numeric value
  • Starts with a 7 or 8
  • Persistent - remains with the business throughout the businesses lifecycle
  • No embedded logic
  • BIN can never be reused or reassigned, if BIN's are merged, the first BIN is maintained and all other BIN's are retired
  • Can be used to directly inquire on a business
How is a BIN assigned?
The Business Identification Number (BIN) is location based. Multiple business locations can be linked together using the BIN to form a more comprehensive view of the business.
How else can I use the Experian BIN number? The FR number? The IN-number?
The Experian BIN number / FR-number / IN-number field enables you to enhance your search in multiple ways. The BIN is the number that Experian assigns to each record in the database. It can also be used as a search criteria. In fact, when using the BIN in the appropriate search field, no other criteria is needed for the search system. You may enter up to 20 BIN numbers, separating them by a comma, to request multiple reports at a time.

The FR-number functionality will provide you with a full Business Profile report at a discounted price when ordering any of the following products the same business day — Intelliscore Plus, Intelliscore Plus Blended, or Business Summary report . The FR-Number will appear at the top of the report only if there is sufficient additional information available. There are three types of FR-numbers:
  • An FR-Q number displays on Business Summary reports
  • An FR-I number displays on Intelliscore Plus and Intelliscore Plus Blended reports
  • An FR-G number displays on Industry Trade Profile reports
For example, suppose that you pull an Intelliscore Plus report on ABC Company. The FR-I number will appear at the top of the report. If you determine that more detailed information is needed on ABC Company, you can return to the search page anytime that same business day and input the FR-I number as the search criteria to order a full Business Profile report. The system will return the full report on ABC Company, then automatically make a billing adjustment so that the initial Intelliscore Plus report is discounted.

The IN-number is an internally generated number that is assigned to a search results page in situations where a direct hit on the business you inquired upon cannot be found. If search results are returned, an IN-number is assigned to that search results “list of companies” displayed, provided your subscriber code is appropriately enabled. This IN-number identifies the specific search string that was used to generate the results. You can use this number to reproduce a previous search. The system will run the search again; however, the results may be different since the database may have been updated since the previous inquiry. Most users will not see the IN- number on their search results.
When I enter an FR-number, I get an error message that states "search field contains invalid characters". How do I enter my FR-number to get a report upgrade?
If you copied and pasted the FR-number, instead try typing it into the appropriate field.

Business View

What is Business View?
"Business View" provides you the most comprehensive view of a business to better assess credit risk. In some instances, Business View may prompt questions because the search results are different than what you were expecting to see based upon your inquiry. This could be a different business name and/or a different address than originally inquired upon. In these cases, TrueSearch will now return the "Matching Name & Address" which displays the entity of the compiled Business View that best matches your original inquiry. The Matching Name and Address will be displayed in the List of Similars (LOS) report, as well as the Business Profile report.
How do we know the name and address displayed is correct?
Experian uses referential matching and data triangulation to link multiple records behind the scenes. During this process, we identify many variations in name and address to which Experian applies best name and address rules to select the name and address of the primary location. While the name and address returned may look visibly different than your inquiry, we have matched your inquiry to one of the variations within our reference file to identify the match. The Match Reliability Code used for this matching process can be used to deliver further intelligence on the level of match achieved to your inquiry.
How do you determine locations that roll up to a Business View?
The technical details of how Experian combines multiple locations to create a Business View is proprietary information. However, the methods for combining locations are typically based on the following information using advanced algorithms:

  • Business name
  • Street address
  • Tax ID
  • Telephone number
  • Public Record
Is Business View the same as Corporate Linkage?
No, Business View is different from Corporate Linkage. Traditionally, Corporate Linkage is based on linking all subsidiaries and branches of a company to a headquarters location. Business View, on the other hand links multiple locations of a business together to create a single view of the businesses' risk factor. While Corporate Linkage is often used to determine associations within various business units of an organization, Business View is designed for credit purposes.
How do I ensure that Business View is working?
Business View is automatically engaged for all Experian commercial report inquiries.
Will franchises roll up to a Business View?
We have special rules in place for franchises to help ensure that franchise locations are stand-alone businesses, and do not roll up to a Business View.
Will I always get a search results page returned when I order a report?
No. BizApps is designed to return a full credit report if a single, high confidence match is found. However, if a match cannot be found on your inquiry, then a search results page may be returned to you. You can select up to five business entities listed from the search results page immediately after your inquiry, and only be charged for one report.

Credit Report Ordering Techniques

I ran an inquiry for a Business Profile and want to run another Business Profile. What is the easiest way to do this?
Once you run the first inquiry for a Business Profile (or any report) and have received the report, click on the New search button. You will be returned to the search page and your previous search criteria will be cleared out, but the report type chosen will remain pre-selected.
I want to pull another type of credit report on the same company I just searched. Can I do this without resubmitting the search criteria?
Yes. Once you have run your inquiry and have received your report, click on the Additional search button. You will be returned to the search page and your previous search criteria will be in place, but the product type selection will be cleared, so you can choose the report type you want.
How do I select product combinations?
When product combinations are available for Credit Risk Solutions, the search page will display the available combinations in the product menu at the top of the page or in a drop-down menu of other product combinations. If you are ordering Business Public Records, you will be able to select multiple products on the menu.
Can I select credit reports and business public records on the same inquiry?
Yes, you can pull business credit reports and public records on the same inquiry. The search page has been changed so that business credit reports and public records each have their own separate tab. However, the search input remains the same regardless of which tab you are on. For more information on how to order these products at the same time, please contact us.
How do I navigate to another product group, such as International Profiles or Portfolio Monitor?
You have several options for navigating to different product groups. You can click on the product line hyperlink on the left navigation bar, the homepage text header hyperlinks, the products page text header hyperlinks, or you can use the search option on the top navigation bar. In some cases these hyperlinks may not be viewable based on your user preferences and what page you are viewing in BizApps.
What is the Reference field?
The reference field is a free-form text field that allows you to input any information. You can use this field for your own tracking purposes. The reference field information is displayed on Report Manager so it can assist you in invoice reconciliation and auditing.
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