Equifax 2006 Annual Report Download - page 23

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Recognizing the multi-billion-dollar potential in
the end-to-end commercial solutions marketplace,
Equifax has formed a new business unit, North
America Commercial Solutions. Today, we serve less
than 5 percent of this market. There is a tremendous
opportunity to expand share in the commercial space.
Our new unit brings together three existing businesses
and capabilities: our U.S. Commercial Solutions
business, our Canadian Commercial Solutions busi-
ness and our newly acquired Austin-Tetra business.
Combined, these businesses have data solutions and
capabilities to serve a broad range of customers –
from our core base of large fi nancial institutions and
telecommunications customers to FORTUNE 1000
companies to small business users.
Currently, Equifax has approximately 23 million
U.S. business records that have been developed
primarily as part of our Small Business Financial
Exchange initiative. These data assets are pro-
prietary to Equifax. We also have approximately
2.3 million company records about businesses in
Canada. The newly acquired capabilities of Austin-
Tetra provide us with yet another unique database,
which consists of information about 30 million
businesses around the globe, as well as proprie-
tary technology. This technology links data records
to build corporate family structures for enterprise
visibility of customers and suppliers for superior
CRM solutions. Combining our existing small busi-
ness data assets with those of Austin-Tetra creates a
unique opportunity for growth as we diversify into
the broader commercial marketplace.
Additional growth will come from further pene-
trating our U.S. strategic accounts; broadening our
revenue base beyond our traditional fi nancial and
telecommunications customers; and capitalizing on
our commercial market in Canada. On the channel
management front, we have two major initiatives
under way. The fi rst involves remarketing and data-
sharing agreements with chapters of the National
Association of Credit Managers (NACM). The second
initiative is based on partnerships we are forming
with boutique credit agencies that focus on specifi c
industries. Under these revenue-sharing partnerships,
boutique agencies use Equifax credit information to
supplement their own industry information.
During 2006 in the United States, we recorded a
66 percent revenue growth rate, with transaction
volume climbing nearly 60 percent. Momentum and
market potential are on our side. We intend to build
the commercial business with the same strengths
and fundamentals of the Company’s core consumer
information business.
Michael Shannon
President
North America Commercial Solutions
In North America
Commercial Solutions
How We Are
EQUIFAX 2006 ANNUAL REPORT 21