Frequently Asked Questions
BizSource and TrueSearch
BizSource is Experian's relatively new business credit database that aggregates all of Experian's commercial intelligence into a single master database.
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.
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
If you copied and pasted the FR-number, instead try typing it into the appropriate field.
Business View
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
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.
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.
If you copied and pasted the FR-number, instead try typing it into the appropriate field.
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
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.
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.
If you copied and pasted the FR-number, instead try typing it into the appropriate field.