Equifax 2004 Annual Report Download - page 26

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24
The following discussion of our fi nancial condition and
results of operations should be read in conjunction with our
fi nancial statements and the related notes included in this
Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking
statements. Please see “Forward-Looking Statements,” on
page 40, and “Risk Factors” in our 2004 Form 10-K fi led
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for a dis-
cussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associ-
ated with these statements.
All references to earnings per share data in this MD&A are to diluted
earnings per share from continuing operations.
EXECUTIVE฀OVERVIEW
EQUIFAX’S฀STRATEGIC฀PLAN
Our strategic plan for the Equifax franchise is based on
three essential elements – a comprehensive information
database, analytical resources to transform information
into value-added insight for customers, and technology
platforms that deliver the valuable answers to customers
according to their needs.
Equifax collects, organizes and manages numerous types of
credit, fi nancial, public record, demographic and market-
ing information regarding individuals and businesses. This
information originates from a variety of sources including
fi nancial or credit granting institutions, which provide
loan and accounts receivable information; governmental
entities, which provide public records of bankruptcies,
liens and judgments; and consumers, who participate in
surveys and submit warranty registration cards from which
we gather demographic and marketing information. Our
proprietary databases contain information on approxi-
mately 400 million consumers and businesses worldwide.
The original data is compiled and processed utilizing
our proprietary software and systems and distributed to
customers in a variety of user-friendly and value-add
formats. Our products and services include consumer
credit information, information database management,
marketing information, small business credit information,
decisioning and analytical tools, and identity verifi cation
services which enable businesses to make informed deci-
sions about extending credit or service, manage portfolio
M A N A G E M E N T ’ S D I S C U S S I O N A N D A N A L Y S I S
O F F I N A N C I A L C O N D I T I O N A N D R E S U L T S O F O P E R A T I O N S
N O R T H ฀
A M E R I C A
L A T I N ฀
A M E R I C A E U R O P E P E R S O N A L ฀
S O L U T I O N S
M A R K E T I N G ฀
S E R V I C E S
D E L I V E R ฀ U N I Q U E ฀ S O L U T I O N S
A N A LY T I C S
A N D
I N S I G H T
I N F O R M A T I O N E N A B L I N G ฀
T E C H N O L O G Y
S E R V I N G ฀ A ฀ B R O A D ฀ R A N G E ฀ O F ฀ C U S T O M E R ฀ N E E D S
C U S T O M E R ฀
A C Q U I S I T I O N
R E L A T I O N S H I P ฀
M A N A G E M E N T
R I S K ฀
M A N A G E M E N T
T H E ฀ E Q U I F A X ฀ F R A N C H I S E