EQUIFAX PARTNERS WITH THOMSON DIRECTORIES
Bringing Customers Significantly Enhanced Business Services through a New Data Source
LONDON, February 4th, 2004 – Equifax Ltd, a leading global information provider, has signed a major new five-year licensing agreement with Thomson Directories to receive its business database containing over 2 million UK listings.
This new data will be used for Equifax’s market leading business credit risk and direct marketing product portfolios and enables Equifax to provide its customers with a more comprehensive solution in terms of data volume and content. The new agreement will ensure that Equifax can confidently develop and support products and services over the long term.
Ian McKinnon, director of Information Services of Equifax comments, “As part of our commitment to improving and developing our business information products and services, we regularly evaluate the market for suitable information sources which will enhance our offering. Through the new agreement with Thomson Directories, Equifax’s customers will benefit from access to a higher total volume of data to give greater knowledge on more companies and businesses.
The content and source for Equifax’s location-based data is essential to the provision of accurate and detailed information about smaller companies and non-limited businesses. The new agreement provides an effective feedback mechanism for distributors to notify Thomson Directories of any data errors, combined with a wider and more varied exposure of the source list to different sectors to help validate different attributes more thoroughly.
Mary Whatley, business information manager, Thomson Directories explains, “Our data is collected by a dedicated call centre that is focussed entirely on the accurate collection of information. Over 8,000 verification calls are made each day to ensure data cleansing of the highest nature. Further data is collected by 500 regionally based staff who identify telephone numbers being used for business purposes, ensuring a comprehensive level of information.
“Equifax’s decision to work with us is a reflection of the high level of investment we put into quality data collection. We anticipate a productive and successful collaboration with Equifax as we work closely with them to develop our services.”
Ian McKinnon concludes, “Equifax is delighted to be working with Thomson Directories and look forward to providing our customers with an enhanced and improved service, made possible by the high standards and quality of this new data source.”
