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Research - Industry Code

First Research industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help your engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships.

Update History

  • February 18, 2022 (ALL SOAP & REST): Defect fix to resolve discrepancies in the Hoovers Industry Code Type (25538) data provided via Industry Product Service.
  • January 07, 2022 (ALL SOAP & REST): Defect fix to return proper response as per schema for FacsimileNumber element.
  • August 21, 2015 (v4.0 SOAP & REST): WSDL issues corrected.
  • May 29, 2015 (v3.1 SOAP & REST): The enumeration value "FastFact" is included to the request schema element ChapterName.
  • May 29, 2015 (v3.1 SOAP & REST): The enumeration value "FastFact" is included to the request schema element ChapterName.

Product Request

IMPORTANT: Due to a known issue, please do not include request values for SubmittingOfficeID.

IMPORTANT: Please see the new Online Services Security Enhancement Release, effective November 09, 2020.

Overview

When requesting this feature, you will be required to supply a D&B Hoover's Industry Code, the associated industry code type (25838), and optional case-sensitive chapter name(s), and the product code (IND_STD). A complete list of the industry codes can be downloaded using the Find Industry Codes feature.

The case-sensitive chapter name values include All, BusinessChallenges, CallPreparationQuestions, ExecutiveInsight, FinancialInformation, GlossaryOfAcronyms, IndustryForecast, IndustryIndicators, IndustryOverview, IndustryWebsites, QuarterlyIndustryUpdate, and TrendsAndOpportunities.

NOTE: All chapters will be returned by default even when a value for the ProfileChapterName parameter is not specified in a request. Availability of chapters may vary by Industry code.

Data Layer Entitlement

For customers in U.S. and Canadian markets, the API is provisioned for specific collections of products, reports, and/or features (collectively referred to as data layers) for production and trial usage. Entitlement is not required for testing in the sandbox environment.

  • This product is entitled as "Industry Profile - Standard Search" for D&B Direct 2.0 customers.

For customers in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg markets, the API is provisioned as a specific set of data layers for production, trial, and sandbox usage.

  • This particular data layer is NOT included in the D&B Direct Onboard suite.

Specification

Sample Request (IND_STD)
<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:ind="http://services.dnb.com/IndustryProductServiceV2.0">
   <soapenv:Header>
      <wsse:Security soapenv:mustUnderstand="0" xmlns:wsse="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-wssecurity-secext-1.0.xsd" xmlns:wsu="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-wssecurity-utility-1.0.xsd">
         <wsse:UsernameToken wsu:Id="UsernameToken-11">
            <wsse:Username>MyUserName</wsse:Username>
            <wsse:Password Type="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-username-token-profile-1.0#PasswordText">MyPassword</wsse:Password>
         </wsse:UsernameToken>
      </wsse:Security>
   </soapenv:Header>
   <soapenv:Body>
      <ind:OrderProductRequest ServiceVersionNumber="">
         <TransactionDetail>
            <ApplicationTransactionID>Industry Profile – Standard Search</ApplicationTransactionID>
            <SubmittingOfficeID>333</SubmittingOfficeID>
         </TransactionDetail>
         <OrderProductRequestDetail>
            <InquiryDetail>
               <IndustryCode DNBCodeTableNumber="3" DNBCodeValue="25838" TypeText="turbine corripuit">
                  <IndustryCode>1119</IndustryCode>
               </IndustryCode>
            </InquiryDetail>
            <ProductSpecification>
               <DNBProductID>IND_STD</DNBProductID>
               <LanguagePreferenceCode>39</LanguagePreferenceCode>
			   <ProfileChapterName>All</ProfileChapterName>
            </ProductSpecification>
            <InquiryReferenceDetail>
               <CustomerReferenceText>Industry Profile – Standard Search</CustomerReferenceText>
               <CustomerBillingEndorsementText>TC0523-14</CustomerBillingEndorsementText>
            </InquiryReferenceDetail>
         </OrderProductRequestDetail>
      </ind:OrderProductRequest>
   </soapenv:Body>
</soapenv:Envelope>
Name Characteristics
OrderProductRequest Aggregate
OrderProductRequest @ServiceVersionNumber Attribute
OrderProductRequest. TransactionDetail Aggregate, Optional

Records information necessary to process this request.

OrderProductRequest. TransactionDetail. ApplicationTransactionID string, up to 64 chars, Optional

A number assigned by the calling application to uniquely identify this request.

OrderProductRequest. TransactionDetail. TransactionTimestamp date & time, Optional

The date and time when this request was created. When the request is from an intermediary, such as a workflow manager or service bus, this is the date and time when the message was sent to the D&B function, i.e., the date and time when the xml document was created by the requesting intermediary.

OrderProductRequest. TransactionDetail. SubmittingOfficeID string, up to 64 chars, Optional

A number that identifies the system or the software application from where this request originated. / A number used to uniquely identfy the D&B business segment or delivery channel from where this request originated.

End: OrderProductRequest. TransactionDetail /Aggregate
OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail Aggregate, Required

Records data relating to requests for a product. This may include such details as the product required, the subject about which the product should be produced, the content of the product.

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryDetail Aggregate, Required

Records data that allows the customer to specify identifying information about the subject being inquired, e.g., the DUNS Number, the address, the telephone number.

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryDetail. IndustryCode Aggregate, Optional

Records the business activity using standardized coding schemes such as European NACE and U.S. Standard Industry Classifications (SIC)for which the profile information is requested.

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryDetail. IndustryCode @DNBCodeValue Attribute

Possible values: 25838 [D&B Hoovers Industry Code]

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryDetail. IndustryCode. IndustryCode string, up to 16 chars, Required

An alphanumeric value identifying a business activity based on the scheme specified by the typeText. For instance, 1611 represents the highway and street construction industry in the U.S. SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) system. Clarification Note: These are generally external codes created by an external authoritative body, like the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), but D&B may have created extensions to more precisely define an activity, as in the case of the SIC 2+2 (the last 4 digits of an 8-digit SIC).

End: OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryDetail /Aggregate
OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ProductSpecification Aggregate, Required

Records data that allows the customer to specify the details of the requested product. This may include details such as the identifier of the product, the language in which the product needs to be rendered, the format in which the product needs to be rendered.

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ProductSpecification. DNBProductID Element
OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ProductSpecification. LanguagePreferenceCode integer, up to 7 digits, Optional

A D&B code value that defines the language in which the customer wants this product to be rendered.

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ProductSpecification. ProfileChapterName IndustryChapterNameEnum, Optional (Array)

Name identifying the major division of the business activity profile information.

Possible values: IndustryOverview; QuarterlyIndustryUpdate; BusinessChallenges; TrendsAndOpportunities; ExecutiveInsight; CallPreparationQuestions; FinancialInformation; IndustryForecast; IndustryWebsites; GlossaryOfAcronyms; IndustryIndicators; FastFacts; All

End: OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ProductSpecification /Aggregate
OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ArchiveDetail Aggregate, Optional
OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ArchiveDetail. ArchiveProductOptOutIndicator boolean, Optional
OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ArchiveDetail. ExtendArchivePeriodIndicator boolean, Optional

When 'true' the duration to archive the data is to be extended. Note: There is an additional cost for extending the archival period of the data purchased. When 'false' the duration to archive the data is not to be extended.

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ArchiveDetail. PortfolioAssetContainerID long, Optional
End: OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. ArchiveDetail /Aggregate
OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryReferenceDetail Aggregate, Optional

Records data that allows the customer to specify information to be linked to the request in order to support subsequent order reconciliation.

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryReferenceDetail. CustomerReferenceText string, up to 240 chars, Optional (Up to 5x)

A freeform reference string provided by the customer to be linked to the product in order to support subsequent order reconciliation.

OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryReferenceDetail. CustomerBillingEndorsementText string, at least 1 char, up to 240 chars, Optional

Text that is filled in by customer and commonly contains requesting individual or department name, or customer's own account/reference number and/or name for the case on which the product was provided.This text is a reference used during the billing process.

End: OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail. InquiryReferenceDetail /Aggregate
End: OrderProductRequest. OrderProductRequestDetail /Aggregate
End: OrderProductRequest /Aggregate

Endpoint

Use the following endpoint with the downloadable WSDL to request this product.

SOAP (Industry)
https://direct.dnb.com/IndustryProduct/V{version}WSDL

Testing

The following parameters may be used for D&B Direct 2.0 developer sandbox requests to retrieve successful responses. The data returned from sandbox requests may not represent actual values that this feature will deliver.

ProductTest Parameter(s)
Research - Industry CodeIndustry code:1958, Code-type: 25838

Product Response

While data for a particular company may not contain values for each of the business elements, there may be items that are considered by D&B to be "essential" to yield the maximum benefit of a data layer. If any of these essential elements do not contain a value for a particular company, a PD005 response code will be returned, and your organization will not incur a usage credit for the request.

For all codified data delivered by D&B Direct, the response package will include the decoded text value as a data element with the code value attached as an attribute. Refer to the Reference Data Service for access to the D&B standard code tables.

Specification

The following is a list of the possible data fields returned by this operation in the XML response. Samples are provided for testing successful and failed retrieval, and to demonstrate the basic layout of a response. The data returned in samples may not represent actual values that this feature will deliver.

NOTE: The D-U-N-S Number returned in the response will be a nine-digit zero-padded, numeric value.

Sample Response (IND_STD)
Industry Profile – Standard Search2effbcae-7e47-49d6-ad42-4a0514081e582013-05-29T09:15:39.813-04:00InformationCM000Success1119IND_STD391119Information Technology ServicesThe US information technology (IT) services industry includes about 100,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $325 billion. Major companies include Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Unisys, and the technology consulting arms of IBM and Hewlett-Packard. The computer facilities management segment of the industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 80 percent of revenue. The rest of the industry is fragmented: the 50 largest companies account for about 40 percent of revenue. Worldwide IT services spending is about $3.7 trillion annually, according to Gartner. Leading exporters of computer and technology services include India, the US, Israel, and China, according to the World Trade Organization. Major companies based outside the US include Fujitsu (Japan), T-Systems International (a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Telekom), and Cap Gemini (France).5415115415125415135415197376737373717379Business ChallengesCritical IssuesRevenue Depends on Corporate Technology SpendingBecause spending for IT services comes mainly from corporation upgrades, much of it can be postponed during economic downturns. A large percentage of annual US capital investment is computer-related, exposing IT spending to economic cycles.<font style="background-color: #9cec8d"></font>1Competition from Hardware, Software SuppliersAs computer and communication hardware and software become commodity-type products with lower margins, their manufacturers are providing more integration and maintenance services, in competition with traditional IT companies. Often manufacturers, particularly computer makers, have deeper financial resources and greater capacity to perform IT functions than their traditional IT counterparts. Other competitors that are not necessarily traditional IT firms nonetheless can offer services that overlap with an IT rival's own offerings.2Other Business ChallengesCustomer ConcentrationsBecause IT companies, particularly smaller firms, may depend on only a few large customers for most of their revenue, customer consolidations or failures can have serious financial consequences. In the early 2010s, IT firms competed for customers as companies consolidated due to the economic downturn.1High Capital InvestmentIT outsourcing companies must make high initial capital investments in equipment and facilities at the beginning of an outsourcing contract. IT companies buy hardware, software, facilities, and other services, and their cost must be amortized over the life of the contract; early contract termination caused by business failures or mergers can result in heavy losses. Many smaller firms in the industry don't have access to enough capital to serve large customers.2Technical Risks Associated with System ImplementationIT firms implement new computer hardware and software systems for clients. Unsuccessful implementations are rare but can seriously damage a firm. Complicated projects may also cost more to implement than originally anticipated, leading to financial quarrels with the customer.3Dependence on Key EmployeesThe expertise that IT companies sell to customers often resides in a few key individuals. For small firms, especially, the loss of a few employees can be catastrophic. Hiring and retaining talented employees with increasingly diverse skills is an ongoing concern for IT companies.4Dependence on Alliance PartnersIT companies large and small depend heavily on larger partners to market their services. While alliances usually benefit both partners, they also increase the risk that the partner won't perform adequately. Business allies or partners that fail to sufficiently deliver their contributions to a project can open an IT company to multiple liabilities.5Vulnerability to Rapid Technological EvolutionThe very rapid evolution of computers, telecommunications, and software makes staying abreast of the latest technology difficult for many IT firms. The high degree of specialization within the industry makes it easier for firms to understand developments in their own niche. But too much specialization also leaves the company vulnerable to obsolescence if there is a technology shift.6Call Preparation QuestionsCall Preparation Questions - Conversation StartersHow does the company manage shifts in corporate technology spending?Because spending for IT services comes mainly from corporation upgrades, much of it can be postponed during economic downturns.1How vulnerable is the company to nontraditional competition?As computer and communication hardware and software become commodity-type products with lower margins, their manufacturers are providing more integration and maintenance services, in competition with traditional IT companies.2How many customers does the company need to stay profitable?Because IT companies, particularly smaller firms, may depend on only a few large customers for most of their revenue, customer consolidations or failures can have serious financial consequences.3How is heightened demand for security impacting the company?The heightened focus on security will provide additional opportunities for IT companies, which will be called on to design and implement new computerized security systems for both businesses and governments.4What opportunities do networking and wireless technology present the company?The rapid evolution of business networks to include wireless devices has created new opportunities for IT firms.5How is the growth of e-commerce affecting the company?Companies hoping to gain a strong edge in the new economy are launching e-business initiatives that require significant new investments in IT solutions.6Call Preparation Questions - Quarterly Industry UpdateWhat is the company’s outlook for growth in 2013?Information technology services in the US could grow by nearly 4 percent in 2013 compared to 2012, according to the latest industry forecast for First Research from INFORUM.1Call Preparation Questions - Operations, Products, and FacilitiesWhich services does the company provide?Examples include systems design and integration, data processing, outsourcing, data warehousing, training, and consulting.1To what extent does the company specialize in a particular IT sector, such as e-commerce, networks, or security systems?E-commerce, networks, and security are important issues facing potential IT customers in the current global economy.2How extensively does the company work with hardware from a particular vendor?Many IT firms develop strategic alliances with hardware companies to offer more comprehensive customer service offerings.3How many offices does the company operate?Even smaller companies may have several locations.4If an outsourcer, how many data centers does the company operate?IT firms are tapping into global resources to boost competitiveness by partnering with foreign firms.5To what degree does the company also develop hardware and/or software?Larger companies often provide software programming, while hardware companies frequently provide IT consulting.6Call Preparation Questions - Customers, Marketing, Pricing, CompetitionHow concentrated is the company's work in regard to customers?Customer concentration is common with IT firms.1How long does a typical contract last?Contracts may last anywhere from one month to 10 years; three-year contracts are common. Outsourcing contracts typically last 10 years because of the large upfront costs.2Are contracts typically bid fixed-cost or time-and-materials?Fixed-cost contracts have great profit potential, but also greater risk.3How many projects does the company usually work on at a time?Companies often use project management systems to handle multiple projects at once.4To what extent does the company usually have a backlog of projects?IT companies anticipate product demand by attending conferences and trade shows, or through their consultants and personal contacts.5How reliant is the company on government contracts? How profitable is this work?More states are outsourcing IT functions, although government contracts are traditionally less profitable than private-sector work.6How extensively does the company participate in trade shows?Many IT companies use trade shows to display their newest products and services.7What types of competition does the company face?IT services firms are aware of intense competitors, such as large systems integrators, big consulting firms, and hardware vendors; but often underestimate software and offshore IT firms as emerging competitors.8How often does the company revise its pricing terms?In previous years, IT firms charged by the hour, which put the risk of cost overruns mainly on the customer. Now, more contracts are being quoted fixed-price, with the risk of cost overruns shouldered by the provider.9What types of security products or services does the firm market?The market for security-related hardware, software, and services is expected to grow substantially as corporations and government agencies increase IT security spending.10Call Preparation Questions - Regulations, R&D, Imports and ExportsTo what extent does the company have international business?Large companies like Hewlett-Packard get a major share of their business overseas.1What regulatory pressures does the company face?IT companies that do business with the US government fall under various governmental contracting and accounting regulations, including federal acquisition regulations, cost accounting standards, and federal agency audits.2How reliant is the company on foreign labor?Some IT companies engaged in data processing or the outsourcing of computing or programming activities have established operations in foreign countries like India, where labor costs are much lower.3How does the company monitor and keep pace with changing international regulation?Companies that have extensive overseas operations must also abide by international and local country regulations covering trade and labor conditions, among others.4Call Preparation Questions - Organization and ManagementHow does the company hire, train, and retain qualified staff?Finding qualified personnel is a major issue and firms spend significant resources to find, train, and retain qualified labor.1How dependent is the company on key employees?A few key people often determine a small firm’s success.2How does the company mitigate the risk that a key person may leave the company?In small companies, stock options or awards are often used to keep key personnel.3How often does the company ally with other companies to seek new business?Because of specialization, companies frequently collaborate to bid on a contract.4How much and what type of work does the company outsource?Even IT companies may outsource IT projects to save on employee costs.5How much does the company use foreign IT workers brought in with H-1B work visas?Computer-related occupations account for a large share of approved H-1B petitions.6Call Preparation Questions - Financial AnalysisHow uneven is company cash flow?Cash flow in IT companies can be highly uneven because money must often be spent at the beginning of a project, before any payments are received. Conversely, some contracts provide for a large initial payment.1How reliant is the company on venture capital funds?Small IT companies often go through several rounds of venture capital financing before going public.2How does equity or debt funding impact company growth?Companies use debt and/or equity financings to help pay for such things as expansion, acquisitions, and R&D.3If an outsourcer, how much does the company spend per year on new computer equipment?In a typical outsourcing contract, an IT company operates (and may own) a client's computer systems either at its location or at a centralized data center.4To what extent does the company typically receive progress or lump-sum payments on consulting projects?IT firms usually make either fixed-price or time-and-materials bids.5How does the company recognize revenue?Consultants may book revenue as progress is made, or when a project is complete. On operations contracts, revenue may be booked before any payments are received. The accounting treatment of revenue can be an important feature of income statements.6If the company has foreign sales, how does it protect itself against currency fluctuations?Contracts may be denominated in dollars, or the company may hedge with futures contracts.7Call Preparation Questions - Business and Technology StrategiesHow does the company manage vulnerability to economic cycles?Many customers cut IT spending sharply during the late 2000s recession.1What areas of revenue growth has the company identified?The overall trend in IT spending is toward software and services and away from hardware. Integrating communications with computer systems is expected to be an area of strong corporate demand.2To what degree does the company ally with multiple partners?Partnering with larger firms can give small IT companies credibility. Large companies use small partners with expertise in a market niche.3How does the company anticipate shifts in corporate outsourcing?Because computer systems are heavily used in many countries, a large number of IT companies have substantial outsourcing contracts.4How does the company plan to grow?Acquisitions have been an important way for firms to get new expertise.5Call Preparation Questions - Executive InsightCEO: How important are large customers to the company's business?Many IT companies depend on a few customers for a large part of revenue.1CEO: How is the company challenged by negotiating major contracts?Since the failure of a project can devastate an IT company, senior executives are closely involved in contract decisions.2CFO: How is the company challenged or advantaged by negotiating computer and software purchases?When buying in quantity, companies can typically receive large discounts off list prices from dealers or directly from manufacturers.3CFO: How does the company manage uneven business demand?IT companies need to retain certain numbers of experts between assignments and during times of uneven customer demand.4CIO: How does the company anticipate future product and service demand?IT companies keep up-to-date with computer and software advances through manufacturers, conferences, trade shows, and professional contacts.5CIO: How does the company plan to improve its project management software capabilities?IT companies need to schedule and manage multiple projects, customers, and staff over months and sometimes years.6HR: How is the company challenged finding and retaining qualified employees?Firms compete for specialists, augment staff with foreign H-1B visa workers, and pay much more than the national average wage to retain good employees.7HR: What programs does the company have for ongoing employee IT training?IT firms send employees to hardware and computer vendor training, university courses, internal classes, and industry seminars.8Sales: How extensive are the firm's alliances with other IT companies?Firms ally with complementary companies to provide a broader range of services, and become resellers of vendor services and/or products.9Sales: How does the company customize its marketing?Some IT firms specialize by industry and some market to a variety of businesses, often using industry intelligence tools.10Executive InsightChief Executive Officer - CEOMaintaining Relations with Large CustomersMany IT companies depend on a few customers for a large part of revenue. Satisfied customers prefer to stay with an IT company they know well, rather than seek other vendors for additional IT work. Consequently, a single customer may provide an IT company with a succession of projects.1Negotiating Major ContractsBecause computer systems are very important to customer operations, contracts for IT work tend to be large and therefore require senior executives to be involved. Contracts typically stipulate a list of specifications and a fixed price with the IT company responsible for cost overruns. Many contracts are awarded after bidding. Since the failure of a project can be catastrophic for an IT company, senior executives are closely involved in contract decisions.2Chief Financial Officer - CFONegotiating Computer Equipment PurchasesIT companies that operate data processing centers for their customers regularly need new computer equipment, including software. IT companies may also negotiate the purchase of new computer equipment on behalf of customers. By buying in quantity, companies can typically receive large discounts off list prices from dealers or directly from manufacturers.1Planning for Uneven Business DemandCorporate spending for IT services depends on the level of corporate profits, which can swing widely from year to year. Generally, corporate IT expense funds operations, maintenance, and project development. In economic downturns, most development work is deferred or canceled. Because a lot of IT work is done as projects, companies may have revenue gaps between assignments, but don’t want to lay off workers with IT expertise.2Chief Information Officer - CIOAnticipating Product DemandBecause computer technology changes rapidly, IT companies must prepare for changes in customer demand. In previous years, the focus of IT consulting shifted in turn from minicomputers to PC networks, to wireless networks, to Internet applications. To remain abreast of new technology and business developments, IT companies stay in touch with computer and software companies through conferences, trade shows, consultants, and personal contacts.1Implementing Project Management SoftwareTo manage IT projects that may take from months to years to complete--and may involve many participants--companies can use project management software. Even the migration to an external data center must be carefully planned, and IT integration projects can be highly complex. Project management systems typically include scheduling, file exchange, communications, and Internet collaboration tools.2Human Resources - HRHiring and Retaining IT WorkersIT companies compete for workers with corporations that maintain their own IT department, with hardware and software companies, and with management consultants. Because of specialization, a worker with specific knowledge may be difficult to find. In recent years, many companies have hired foreign IT workers through the H-1B visa program. To retain workers, companies must pay well: The average pay of IT workers is significantly higher than that of other US workers.1Providing Continuing IT EducationBecause of the rapid evolution of IT, companies need to keep their workers abreast of changing knowledge. To do this, some have internal "universities"; others develop ties with real universities and regularly attend industry conferences and seminars. Companies also foster close relations with large hardware and software producers.2VP Sales/Marketing - SalesEstablishing Alliances with Other IT CompaniesBecause they usually offer specialized knowledge, IT companies may form alliances with complementary companies to offer a broader array of services. Companies also may ally with large companies like IBM to basically become resellers of their services or hardware. By establishing a portfolio of alliances, companies can benefit from the marketing efforts of all partners.1Customizing Industry MarketingAlthough IT services can be used by customers in many different industries, many IT companies customize their marketing approach to appeal to individual customers. While some companies specialize in a particular industry, such as health care, others use industry intelligence tools to enable them to understand the business of a variety of customers.2Financial InformationCOMPANY BENCHMARK INFORMATIONNAICS: 5415<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3"><tr><td class="tablerow">Data Period </td><td colspan="4" class="tablebody">Last Update August 2012</td></tr><tr><td class="tablerow">Table Data Format </td><td colspan="4" class="tablebody">Mean</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td align=center width=40% class="tablerow">Company Size</td><td align=center width=15% class="tablebody">All</td><td align=center width=15% class="tablebody">Large</td><td align=center width=15% class="tablebody">Medium</td><td align=center width=15% class="tablebody">Small</td></tr><tr><td align=center width=40% class="tablerow">Size by Revenue</td><td align=center width=15% class="tablebody">&nbsp;</td><td align=center width=15% class="tablebody">Over $50M</td><td align=center width=15% class="tablebody">$5M - $50M</td><td align=center width=15% class="tablebody">Under $5M</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Company Count</td><td align=center class="tablebody">92618</td><td align=center class="tablebody">111</td><td align=center class="tablebody">2256</td><td align=center class="tablebody">90251</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" class="tablehead">Income Statement </td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Net Sales</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Gross Margin</td><td align=center class="tablebody">75.7%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">70.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">76.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">77.4%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Officer Compensation</td><td align=center class="tablebody">4.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.3%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">4.8%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Advertising & Sales</td><td align=center class="tablebody">0.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">0.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.0%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">0.9%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Other Operating Expenses</td><td align=center class="tablebody">67.3%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">62.3%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">68.3%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">68.5%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Operating Expenses</td><td align=center class="tablebody">72.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">66.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">73.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">74.1%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Operating Income</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.7%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">2.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.3%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Net Income</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.7%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.6%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.7%</td></tr><tr><td colspan=5>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td colspan=5 class="tablehead">Balance Sheet</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Cash</td><td align=center class="tablebody">22.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">22.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">21.8%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">22.3%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Accounts Receivable</td><td align=center class="tablebody">25.3%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">26.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">25.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">24.2%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Inventory</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">2.8%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.2%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Total Current Assets</td><td align=center class="tablebody">60.6%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">61.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">60.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">60.0%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Property, Plant & Equipment</td><td align=center class="tablebody">13.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">9.6%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">14.4%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">15.6%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Other Non-Current Assets</td><td align=center class="tablebody">25.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">28.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">25.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">24.4%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Total Assets</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100.0%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100.0%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100.0%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100.0%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Accounts Payable</td><td align=center class="tablebody">10.0%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">10.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">10.4%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">9.7%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Total Current Liabilities</td><td align=center class="tablebody">36.0%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">34.3%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">36.3%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">36.7%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Total Long Term Liabilities</td><td align=center class="tablebody">24.3%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">19.0%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">24.4%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">26.7%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow">Net Worth</td><td align=center class="tablebody">39.7%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">46.7%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">39.4%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">36.7%</td></tr><tr><td colspan=5>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" class="tablehead">Financial Ratios<br>(Click on any ratio for comprehensive definitions)</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#1" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Quick Ratio</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.39</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.50</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.37</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.36</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#2" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Current Ratio</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.68</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.81</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.67</td><td align=center class="tablebody">1.64</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#3" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Current Liabilities to Net Worth</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">90.8%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">73.4%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">92.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">100.0%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#4" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Current Liabilities to Inventory</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">x11.70</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x12.41</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x11.55</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x11.53</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#5" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Total Debt to Net Worth</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">x1.52</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x1.14</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x1.54</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x1.73</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#6" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Fixed Assets to Net Worth</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">x0.35</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x0.21</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x0.37</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x0.42</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#7" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Days Accounts Receivable</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">52</td><td align=center class="tablebody">64</td><td align=center class="tablebody">54</td><td align=center class="tablebody">45</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#8" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Inventory Turnover</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">x14.11</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x16.59</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x13.11</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x13.89</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#9" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Total Assets to Sales</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">57.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">67.6%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">60.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">52.7%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#10" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Working Capital to Sales</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">14.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">18.7%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">14.6%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">12.3%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#11" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Accounts Payable to Sales</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">5.6%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">6.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">6.0%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">4.9%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#12" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Pre-Tax Return on Sales</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">2.8%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">2.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">2.8%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#13" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Pre-Tax Return on Assets</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">4.8%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">4.6%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">4.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">5.3%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#14" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Pre-Tax Return on Net Worth</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">12.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">9.9%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">10.7%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">14.6%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#15" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Interest Coverage</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">x4.14</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x3.87</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x4.20</td><td align=center class="tablebody">x4.22</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#16" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">EBITDA to Sales</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">5.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">6.4%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">5.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">5.4%</td></tr><tr><td align=right class="tablerow"><a href="glossary.aspx#17" class="tableRowLink" title="Click to Define" target="_blank">Capital Expenditures to Sales</a></td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.1%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.5%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">3.2%</td><td align=center class="tablebody">2.9%</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" class="tag" bgcolor="#f0f0ee">Financial industry data provided by MicroBilt Corporation collected from 32 different data sources and represents financial performance of over 4.5 million privately held businesses and detailed industry financial benchmarks of companies in over 900 industries (SIC and NAICS). More data available by subscription or single report purchase at <a href="http://www.microbilt.com/firstresearch" title="http://www.microbilt.com/firstresearch" target="_blank">www.microbilt.com/firstresearch</a>.</td></tr></table>1ECONOMIC STATISTICS AND INFORMATIONComputer Technology Services Exports - World Trade Organization<table><tr><td><img src="http://www.firstresearch.com/customers/reports/includes01/COIT/COIT-intl.jpg"></td></tr></table>1Service Segmentation by Revenue - Census Bureau<table><tr><td><img src="http://www.firstresearch.com/customers/reports/includes01/COIT/COIT-proseg.jpg"></td></tr></table>2VALUATION MULTIPLES<table width="500" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="0" bgcolor="#f0f0ee"><tr><td><strong>Information Technology Services</strong></td></tr><tr class="tabletext"><td>Acquisition multiples below are calculated using at least 17 private, middle-market (valued at less than $1 billion) industry asset transactions completed between 10/2003 and 3/2012. Data updated annually. Last updated: October 2012.</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><table width="500"  border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3"><tr><td width="140" class="tablerow">Valuation Multiple</td><td width="90" class="tablehead">MVIC/Net Sales</td><td width="90" class="tablehead">MVIC/Gross Profit</td><td width="90" class="tablehead">MVIC/EBIT</td><td width="90" class="tablehead">MVIC/EBITDA</td></tr><tr><td class="tablerow">Median Value</td><td class="tablebody">0.6</td><td class="tablebody">0.9</td><td class="tablebody">4.4</td><td class="tablebody">4.1</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><strong>MVIC (Market Value of Invested Capital)</strong> = Also known as the selling price, the MVIC is the total consideration paid to the seller and includes any cash, notes and/or securities that were used as a form of payment plus any interest-bearing liabilities assumed by the buyer.<br><strong>Net Sales</strong> = Annual Gross Sales, net of returns and discounts allowed, if any.<br><strong>Gross Profit</strong> = Net Sales - Cost of Goods Sold<br><strong>EBIT</strong> = Operating Profit<br><strong>EBITDA</strong> = Operating Profit + Noncash Charges<br></td></tr><tr><td class="tag">SOURCE: Pratt's Stats&trade; (Portland, OR: Business Valuation Resources, LLC) To purchase more detailed information, please either visit <a href="http://www.BVMarketData.com" target="source" class="tag">www.BVMarketData.com</a> or call 888-287-8258.</td></tr></table>1TRADE ASSOCIATION BENCHMARKING STATISTICSCOMPANY BENCHMARK TRENDS<table width="500"cellspacing="0" border="0" bgcolor="#f0f0ee"><tr><td><p><br /><strong>Quick Ratio by Company Size</strong><br /><br />The quick ratio, also known as the acid test ratio, measures a company's ability to meet short-term obligations with liquid assets. The higher the ratio, the better; a number below 1 signals financial distress. Use the quick ratio to determine if companies in an industry are typically able to pay off their current liabilities.</p></td></tr><tr class="tabletext"><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="http://www.firstresearch.com/Customers/reports/includes01/COIT/COIT-cbiqr.jpg"></td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td><p><span class="tag">Financial industry data provided by MicroBilt Corporation collected from 32 different data sources and represents financial performance of over 4.5 million privately held businesses and detailed industry financial benchmarks of companies in over 900 industries (SIC and NAICS). More data available by subscription or single report purchase at <a href="http://www.microbilt.com/firstresearch" title="http://www.microbilt.com/firstresearch" target="_blank">www.microbilt.com/firstresearch</a>.</span></p></td></tr></table>1Glossary of AcronymsCSCComputer Sciences Corporation1PCPersonal Computer2SaaSsoftware-as-a-service3Industry ForecastThe output of US computer and data processing services is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 4 percent between 2012 and 2016. Data Published: September 20121Computing and Data Services Growth UnevenFirst Research forecasts are based on INFORUM forecasts that are licensed from the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. (IERF) in College Park, MD. INFORUM's "interindustry-macro" approach to modeling the economy captures the links between industries and the aggregate economy.http://www.firstresearch.com/Customers/reports/includes01/COIT/COIT-indfor.jpg2First Research Industry Growth RatingReflects snapshot of industry performance vs. industry risk over the next 12 to 24 months relative to other U.S. industries, along with short descriptions of vital demand and risk factors influencing the industry. Use to quickly determine the overall projected health of an industry.Demand: Driven by technical advancesRequire technical expertise and innovative servicesRisk: High capital investment and rapid technology evolutionhttp://access.firstresearch.com/images/High.gif3Industry IndicatorsTotal US consumer spending, a driver for the IT needs of consumers, rose 1.7 percent, primarily from nondurable goods expenditures, in September 2012 compared to the same month in 2011.1US corporate profits, an indicator for corporate investment in information technology, rose 6.1 percent in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.2Total US revenue for computer systems design and related services rose 0.9 percent in the second quarter of 2012 compared to first quarter 2012.3Industry OverviewThe US information technology (IT) services industry includes about 100,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $325 billion. Major companies include Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Unisys, and the technology consulting arms of IBM and Hewlett-Packard. The computer facilities management segment of the industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 80 percent of revenue. The rest of the industry is fragmented: the 50 largest companies account for about 40 percent of revenue.1Worldwide IT services spending is about $3.7 trillion annually, according to Gartner. Leading exporters of computer and technology services include India, the US, Israel, and China, according to the World Trade Organization. Major companies based outside the US include Fujitsu (Japan), T-Systems International (a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Telekom), and Cap Gemini (France).2Industry Overview - Competitive LandscapeDemand for IT services is driven by rapid technological advances, but spending for these expensive products depends on the health of the US economy. The profitability of companies depends on offering technical expertise, innovative services, and effective marketing. Large companies have advantages in broad service offerings and global reach, which give them the ability to provide outsourcing services to big corporate customers. Small companies can compete effectively by specializing in market niches or by partnering with larger companies that want to broaden their mix of services.1Industry Overview - Products, Operations & TechnologyIT companies mainly provide consulting, systems integration, data processing, and technology outsourcing services to business customers. Computer systems design, development, and integration services account for about 35 percent of industry revenue; application design and development services, 25 percent; and technical support, 10 percent. These companies help clients use computers, software, and communications systems more efficiently. In addition to providing advice on using computer systems, they frequently recommend hardware and software systems to their customers. Firms provide a variety of associated services, including business function outsourcing, data warehousing, systems planning, enterprise resource planning, and training.1Companies may be pure consulting operations, or also operate outsourcing and data processing functions, such as IBM and Hewlett-Packard. The types of contracts firms have with customers depend on the service being rendered. Data processing and outsourcing contracts typically last for many years because of the substantial initial cost. In a typical outsourcing contract, the IT company operates (and may own) the computer systems of a client, either operating them at the customer's location or at a centralized data center that serves multiple clients. Consulting contracts are shorter, usually lasting less than a year, and typically specify either a fixed project cost or services billed at hourly rates.2IT operations most often begin at a service provider's website. Large companies like IBM's Global Services division use the Internet to introduce prospective clients to their services. Once a contract is signed, an IT provider can assist customers with on-site staff, live teleconferencing or webcast tutorials, and longer-term online support (via email and instant messaging between IT staff and customers). Primary applications for IT include aligning IT initiatives with overall business goals, improving IT infrastructure efficiency, and creating a flexible service-oriented architecture that combines systems development with business processes.3Industry Overview - Sales & MarketingThe customers of IT firms are often the IT departments of corporations and government agencies. Companies typically offer time-and-materials contracts or fixed-price contracts, or some combination of both. Major contracts are often secured after a bidding process. For contracts that also involve the purchase of hardware or software, consultants often partner with a specific hardware or software company to provide a comprehensive bid. Marketing is largely through personal selling by executives and senior managers, or through reputation within a particular industry.1Because the most effective use of computer technology is different for different industries, IT companies often specialize in a particular industry, such as health care or financial services, or in segments within an industry. Large companies have service groups for different industries and market their services to those groups specifically. Due to the complexity of their services, companies often customize their prices for each service, accounting for the required skills and the estimated cost of providing the service.2Competition comes in multiple forms, including offshore providers, service arms of large global technology firms, niche providers, and companies that rely on their own internal IT resources.3Pricing can be competitive, particularly among large IT providers. Competitors put significant investments in creating closed and proprietary IT platforms in order to lock customers into a specific IT system. That can drive up prices as a result. Firms also work to develop differentiated and premium IT products that allow them to charge more.4Industry Overview - Finance & RegulationSince IT companies mainly provide expertise, labor is their largest expense. Companies typically have highly variable cash flow that is dependent on timely receivables management, investment opportunities and large outsourcing contracts, and effective capital management. Accounts receivable are typically about 25 percent of sales. Companies often use forward contracts to hedge against future risk, such as fluctuations in foreign currency. Data processing and outsourcing services providers have large investments in computer centers and periodically must make additional investments to upgrade their computer systems.1IT companies that do business with the US government fall under various governmental contracting and accounting regulations, including federal acquisition regulations, cost accounting standards, and federal agency audits. Companies that have extensive overseas operations must also abide by international and local country regulations covering trade and labor conditions, among others.2Industry Overview - Regional & International IssuesWorldwide IT services spending is about $3.7 trillion annually, according to Gartner. Of the top 10 exporters of computer and technology services, the European Union nations lead by far, with a combined 54 percent market share, followed by India with 18 percent. Other leading exporters include the US (7 percent), Israel (4 percent), and China (3 percent), according to the World Trade Organization. Major companies based outside the US include Fujitsu (Japan), T-Systems International (a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Telekom), and Cap Gemini (France).1Global spending on IT services is expected to grow by 2.5 percent in 2012, according to Gartner. IT spending has grown most in computing hardware, telecom, enterprise software, and pure IT services. Emerging markets are important to the worldwide IT industry, fueled in large part by low prices for equipment and services. PC and tablet sales have grown rapidly in developing countries, and China has become a leading IT market, according to Plunkett Research.2Global service providers are sensitive to changes in their customers' business. Companies that provide IT services to telecom carriers, financial firms, and large manufacturers, for instance, face profitability risks when their clients suffer losses. In addition, some IT firms like Fujitsu rely on local and national governments for a significant portion of their business; likewise, changes in e-government initiatives and other IT policies can impact sales.3The migration to public cloud computing services presents a key opportunity to the international IT sector. Personal cloud services were anticipated to outpace PCs as the hub of consumers' digital lives by 2014, according to Gartner. Cloud services enable companies and organizations to store data remotely without relying on their own physical servers.4Many US IT companies have substantial foreign revenues. Some IT companies engaged in data processing or the outsourcing of computing or programming activities have established operations in countries like India, where labor costs are lower than in the US.5In the US, the number of IT service professionals in a state is inversely related to the average hourly rates for IT service. Fewer IT consultants in states like Wyoming and Alaska mean longer wait times for service and higher rates.6Human ResourcesIT companies need technologically skilled labor, and finding and keeping such labor is an ongoing concern. Firms find entry-level employees among recent college graduates who have degrees in computer science or mathematics. IT skills and experience bring premium pay: average hourly industry wages are significantly higher than the national average -- about double. A few key people often determine the success of a smaller firm. Annual turnover is an industry-wide issue for professional services (including IT), and firms have significant expenses for finding, training, and retaining qualified labor. The IT industry’s safety record is excellent, with an extremely low incidence of injuries.1The strong growth in demand for IT professionals in the past decade prompted many firms to recruit abroad. Firms sponsor foreign professionals and bring them to the US through visas under the H-1B program, which can allow visa holders to work in the US for up to six years.2Industry Employment Growth - Bureau of Labor Statisticshttp://www.firstresearch.com/Customers/reports/includes01/COIT/COIT-empgrw.jpg3Average Hourly Earnings & Annual Wage Increase  - Bureau of Labor Statisticshttp://www.firstresearch.com/Customers/reports/includes01/COIT/COIT-ernwge.jpg4Industry WebsitesRecent NewsIndustry SitesCanada ITNews, events, funding sources, and employment resources for the IT industry.http://www.canadait.com/cfm/index.cfm1CDW IT MonitorBi-monthly IT industry outlook.http://www.cdwitmonitor.com/2ComputerworldLatest news, features, and opinions of IT, software, and computers.http://www.computerworld.com3Forrester ResearchIndustry research and news.http://www.forrester.com4GartnerIndustry research and news.http://www.gartner.com5Government Computer NewsGovernment IT news. See especially the State & Local section.http://www.gcn.com/6Information Technology Association of CanadaMedia, research, events, and blog.http://www.itac.ca/7Information Technology Industry CouncilNews and IT government relations resources.http://www.itic.org/8InformationWeekNews.http://www.informationweek.com/9ITworldIT news, topics, and links.http://www.itworld.com/10TechAmericaArticles, news, publications, government affairs, calendars, and events.http://www.techamerica.org/11TechWebNews and technology on segments of electronic industry, like networks, wireless, and e-business.http://www.techweb.com/12The McKinsey QuarterlyPrescriptive IT articles.http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Business_Technology13Quarterly Industry UpdateChallenge: Moderate Growth Forecast for IT ServicesInformation technology services in the US could grow by nearly 4 percent in 2013 compared to 2012, according to the latest industry forecast for First Research from INFORUM. The forecast is well below industry growth trends in 2010 and 2011, which respectively saw increases of 7.5 percent and 6.2 percent. Some industry segments are nonetheless poised for significant improvement. For instance, outsourced cloud computing services are expected to claim by nearly 50 percent in 2012, according to Gartner. Conversely, data center outsourcing - a more mature market - will likely decline.1Industry ImpactEuropean debt issues and slowing Chinese exports will continue to impact overall IT outsourcing, though industry observers anticipate strong growth in the emerging Asia/Pacific region.2Trends and OpportunitiesBusiness TrendsGlobal StandardizationThe global adoption of e-commerce business practices has widened the scope and scale of the IT industry. International laws and regulations on policy issues like taxation, privacy, security, and encryption are slowly being implemented. With Europe and Japan quickly catching up to the US in terms of computer technology use, including wireless and high-speed broadband technology, the need for service and product standardization is being addressed.1Foreign IT WorkersMany IT companies depend heavily on imported foreign workers on H-1B visas, which can be awarded to highly trained foreign workers, if American workers with similar skills can’t be found. The current annual cap on the H-1B category is 65,000, but the H-1B Visa Reform Act of 2004 makes available each year 20,000 additional H-1B visas for foreign workers with a master's or higher level degree from a US academic institution.2Offshore OutsourcingSolutions providers, software companies, and integrators are tapping into global IT resources to bolster competitiveness by partnering with foreign firms. Outsourcing services, especially, make more use of offshore operations, of which India is a major provider. Computer Sciences Corporation, for instance, has increased its investment in offshore resources to better compete with offshore outsourcers.3Industry OpportunitiesSecurity SystemsThe heightened focus on security will provide additional opportunities for IT companies, which will be called on to design and implement new computerized security systems for both businesses and governments. Systems are needed both for physical security and to protect computers against viruses, hackers, and intelligence intrusions. Public sector customers are particularly interested in IT systems that offer a solid security component.1Networks, Wireless SystemsThe rapid evolution of business networks to include wireless devices has created new opportunities for IT firms. Internet and intranet systems that allow mobile and wireless access are in stronger demand and often require IT consulting to implement. IT professionals are being called on more often to help customers integrate their wireless communications with their computing and content needs.2E-Commerce Increases IT NeedsCompanies hoping to gain a strong edge in the new economy are launching e-business initiatives that require significant new investments in IT solutions. Firms will need solutions for interpreting and transferring data online, which will increase IT services. Customer relationship management systems, for instance, enable companies to find and retain profitable customers while enhancing their cross-selling capabilities.3Next-Generation Digital TechnologyNext-generation digital technology like wikis and blogs are opening important doors for IT firms. Companies increasingly need to offer collaboration and sharing mechanisms to their employees, suppliers, and clients. For instance, an IT firm can create a custom blog program for a customer that allows employees to share best practices in real time.4Growing State Government MarketPressured to reduce costs due to tight budgets, more states are outsourcing computer functions and data processing. State governments are also looking to IT firms to help implement federally mandated programs such as Medicaid. These contracts do not always go well and often come with a certain amount of risk, however. States are taking a harder look at IT contracts after complaints about costs, quality, and usability.51071Consulting Services1121Computer Software1225Education & Training Services1299Accounting Services2591082Industry Profile – Standard SearchTC0523-14
Name Characteristics
OrderProductResponse Aggregate
OrderProductResponse @ServiceVersionNumber Attribute
OrderProductResponse. TransactionDetail Aggregate, Required

Records information necessary to process a particular request. Examples of a request is the ordering of a product.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionDetail. ApplicationTransactionID string, up to 64 chars, Optional

A number assigned by the calling application to uniquely identify this request.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionDetail. ServiceTransactionID string, up to 64 chars, Required

A number assigned by the D&B service to uniquely identify this transaction.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionDetail. TransactionTimestamp dateTime, Required

The date and time when this request was submitted or the date and time when the requesting intermediary, such as a workflow manager or service bus, sent the message to the D&B function, i.e., the date and time when the xml document was created by the requesting intermediary.

End: OrderProductResponse. TransactionDetail /Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult Aggregate, Required

An aggregate that can repeat multiple times to record the different outcomes of the transaction.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult. SeverityText string, up to 16 chars, Required

Text that records the criticality of the outcome, e.g., Information, Warning, Error, Fatal.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult. ResultID string, up to 32 chars, Required

An alphanumeric string that uniquely identifies the outcome of the transaction.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult. ResultText string, up to 512 chars, Optional

Text that explains the outcome of the transaction.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult. ResultMessage Aggregate, Optional (Array)

An aggregate that can repeat multiple times to record textual data that expands on the ResultID and ResultText to provide additional information to the user regarding the status of the transaction. If the status implies that there is a problem this may also provide guidance to the user on how to address it.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult. ResultMessage. ResultMessageID string, up to 30 chars, Optional

An alphanumeric string that uniquely identifies the additional information regarding the outcome of the transaction.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult. ResultMessage. ResultDescription string, up to 512 chars, Required

Text that describes the additional information regarding the outcome of the transaction.

OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult. ResultMessage. NonSpecificDataProviderText string, up to 30 chars, Optional

Text that describes, in general terms, the source from which the Result Message data was originally obtained by D&B; e.g. Credit Bureau.

End: OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult. ResultMessage /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse. TransactionResult /Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail Aggregate, Optional

Records the data being returned to the customer as a result of a product request.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryDetail Aggregate, Required

Records data that allows the customer to specify identifying information about the subject being inquired, e.g., the DUNS Number, the address, the telephone number.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryDetail. IndustryCode Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryDetail. IndustryCode @DNBCodeValue Attribute

Possible values: 25838 [D&B Hoovers Industry Code]

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryDetail. IndustryCode. IndustryCode Element
End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryDetail. IndustryCode /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryDetail /Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product Aggregate, Required

Records data about the product ordered by the customer and data about the organization on which the customer has placed this order.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. DNBProductID string, up to 64 chars, Required
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. LanguageCode integer, up to 7 digits, Optional

A D&B code value that defines the language in which the requested product is fulfilled.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile Aggregate, Optional

Records the market analysis information on the industries as recorded by the data provider. The market analysis information may include critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help your engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail Aggregate, Optional (Array)

An entry loop which records the market analysis information on an industry as recorded by the data provider. The market analysis information may include critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help your engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryCode Aggregate, Required (Array)

An entry loop which can repeat multiple times to allow the recording of several business activities in which an organization is actively engaged using standardized coding schemes such as European NACE and U.S. Standard Industry Classifications (SIC).

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryCode @DNBCodeValue Attribute

Possible values: (1) 25838 [D&B Hoovers Industry Code]; (2) 700 [NAICS]; (3) 19295 [UK SIC 2007]; (4) 399 [US SIC (1987)]

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryCode @TypeText Attribute

Possible values: (1) D&B Hoovers Industry Code; (2) NAICS; (3) UK SIC 2007; (4) US SIC (1987)

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryCode. IndustryCode string, up to 16 chars, Required

An alphanumeric value identifying a business activity based on the scheme specified by the typeText. For instance, 1611 represents the highway and street construction industry in the U.S. SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) system. Clarification Note: These are generally external codes created by an external authoritative body, like the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), but D&B may have created extensions to more precisely define an activity, as in the case of the SIC 2+2 (the last 4 digits of an 8-digit SIC).

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryCode. IndustryCodeDescription string, up to 256 chars, Optional (Array)

Text that describes the business activity based on the scheme specified by the attribute typeText. E.g., 'highway and street construction' is the description of industry code 1611 in the U.S. SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) system.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryCode. IndustryExplanationText string, up to 3000 chars, Optional

Free form text describing the business activity.

End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryCode /Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail Aggregate, Optional (Array)

An entry loop which can repeat multiple times to allow the recording of the details on the major divisions of the industry profile information.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterName string, up to 256 chars, Required

Name of the major division of the profile information.

Possible values: BusinessChallenges; TrendsAndOpportunities; FastFacts; ExecutiveTalkpoints; +; Chapter names returned by the Hoovers API

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail Aggregate, Optional (Array)

An entry loop which can repeat multiple times to allow the recording of the details recorded in the profile chapter.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. TitleText string, up to 256 chars, Optional

Text that records the title of the chapter content.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. ContentText string, up to 5000 chars, Optional

Text that records the body of the chapter content as paragraphs.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. KeyFactText string, up to 720 chars, Optional (Array)

Text that records the body of the chapter content as short phrases or single sentences.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. QuestionText string, up to 256 chars, Optional

Text recording a question of interest related with the chapter content.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. ContactJobTitleDescription string, up to 128 chars, Optional

Text that denotes a position held by the principal or manager to whom the question is directed.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. WebPageURL string, up to 256 chars, Optional

Records the internet link of the original chapter content.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. ImageURL string, up to 256 chars, Optional

Records the internet link of the images related to the chapter content.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail Aggregate, Optional (Array)

An entry loop which can repeat multiple times to allow the recording of the details on the minor divisions of the industry profile information.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterName string, up to 256 chars, Required

Name of the minor division of the profile information.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail Aggregate, Optional (Array)

An entry loop which can repeat multiple times to allow the recording of the details recorded in the profile sub chapter.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail. TitleText string, up to 256 chars, Optional

Text that records the title of the sub chapter content.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail. ContentText string, Optional

Text that records the body of the sub chapter content as paragraphs.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail. KeyFactText string, up to 256 chars, Optional (Array)

Text that records the body of the sub chapter content as short phrases or single sentences.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail. QuestionText string, up to 256 chars, Optional

Text recording a question of interest related with the sub chapter content.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail. ContactJobTitleDescription string, up to 128 chars, Optional

Text that denotes a position held by the principal or manager to whom the question is directed.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail. WebPageURL string, up to 256 chars, Optional

Records the internet link of the original sub chapter content.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail. ImageURL string, up to 256 chars, Optional

Records the internet link of the images related to the sub chapter content.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail. ImportanceLevel integer, up to 3 digits, Optional

A number used to identify the relative importance of this sub chapter compared to other sub chapters listed in this chapter. The lower the importance level number, the more important is the sub chapter.

End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail. SubChapterContentDetail /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. SubChapterDetail /Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail. ImportanceLevel integer, up to 3 digits, Optional

A number used to identify the relative importance of this chapter compared to other chapters listed in this profile. The lower the importance level number, the more important is the chapter.

End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail. ChapterContentDetail /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. IndustryProfileChapterDetail /Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. RelatedIndustryCode Aggregate, Optional (Array)

An entry loop which can repeat multiple times to allow the recording of several business activities that are related with the requested industry. These industry codes are recorded using standardized coding schemes such as European NACE and U.S. Standard Industry Classifications (SIC).

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. RelatedIndustryCode @DNBCodeValue Attribute

Possible values: 25838 [D&B Hoovers Industry Code]

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. RelatedIndustryCode @TypeText Attribute
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. RelatedIndustryCode. IndustryCode string, up to 16 chars, Required

An alphanumeric value identifying a business activity based on the scheme specified by the typeText. For instance, 1611 represents the highway and street construction industry in the U.S. SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) system. Clarification Note: These are generally external codes created by an external authoritative body, like the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), but D&B may have created extensions to more precisely define an activity, as in the case of the SIC 2+2 (the last 4 digits of an 8-digit SIC).

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. RelatedIndustryCode. IndustryCodeDescription string, up to 256 chars, Optional (Array)

Text that describes the business activity based on the scheme specified by the attribute typeText. E.g., 'highway and street construction' is the description of industry code 1611 in the U.S. SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) system.

End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail. RelatedIndustryCode /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile. IndustryProfileDetail /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. IndustryProfile /Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. ArchiveDetail Aggregate, Optional
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. ArchiveDetail. PortfolioAssetID PortfolioAssetIDType, Required
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. ArchiveDetail. PortfolioAssetContainerID long, Optional
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. ArchiveDetail. ExtendedArchiveIndicator boolean, Optional

When 'true' the duration to archive the data has been extended. When 'false' the duration to archive the data was not extended; however as this is the assumed condition there is no requirement to create this tag to represent this fact.

End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product. ArchiveDetail /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. Product /Aggregate
OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryReferenceDetail Aggregate, Optional

Records data that allows the customer to specify information to be linked to the request in order to support subsequent order reconciliation.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryReferenceDetail. CustomerReferenceText string, up to 240 chars, Optional (Up to 5x)

A freeform reference string provided by the customer to be linked to the product in order to support subsequent order reconciliation.

OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryReferenceDetail. CustomerBillingEndorsementText string, at least 1 char, up to 240 chars, Optional

Text that is filled in by customer and commonly contains requesting individual or department name, or customer's own account/reference number and/or name for the case on which the product was provided.This text is a reference used during the billing process.

End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail. InquiryReferenceDetail /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse. OrderProductResponseDetail /Aggregate
End: OrderProductResponse /Aggregate

Legend: [C] = may be included in a Custom Data product; [M] = may be referenced by the Monitoring process; [M+] = Monitored using an aggregate or attribute XPath.

Lists of possible values (when present) are subject to change. Additional values not presented in this documentation may be delivered in the response and should be anticipated in any implementation.

Empty/NULL Values

A NULL returned for an element indicates that the information was not provided to D&B when the related data items were collected. The absence of a value for a particular item should not be considered indicative of any implied value (e.g., NULL for a boolean indicator is NOT the same as a value of 'false').

NOTE: There may be additional request and/or response elements specified in the WSDL that are not applicable for D&B Direct customers. Data elements that are not listed on this page are currently unused by this operation.

Response Codes & Error Handling

Successful service requests will return a CM000 response code in the TransactionResult ResultID field. Otherwise, one of the D&B Direct standard response codes will be returned.

This operation may return the following response codes: CM001-CM005, CM007-CM012, CM014, CM017, CM018, PD001, PD003, PD005, PD006, PD015, PD016,PD019 and SC001-SC012.

IMPORTANT: PD006 code - Applicable only for US/CA cases when TradeUpIndicator="true" for Risk packets.

D&B Direct 2.0 API requests are provided on a metered basis; and may require entitlement prior to use in the production environment. In addition, a concurrency limit (QPS) is monitored to ensure that it is not exceeded. An error code will be returned in the event that a transaction is throttled.

Qualified usage (e.g., a successful response) is tracked and billed according to the terms & conditions of the customer's contract. The response codes CM000, CM010, PD002 and PD015 are considered successful. A built-in feature exists to prevent duplicate billing when multiple successful requests with the same D-U-N-S Number and product code are submitted on the same calendar day (which is based on Eastern Standard Time [GMT-5]).

Retrieving Archived Copies

An option exists to retain the results from all successful requests for this product in a Product Request Archive, which may be retrieved without incurring additional usage charges.

NOTE: The default value for ArchiveProductOptOutIndicator is 'true', indicating that the request will NOT be automatically archived.

Business Elements

While D&B Direct uses a product canonical naming model in the request/response, many customers may be more familiar with the following business element labels.

Name Description
Business Challenge Question Text recording a question of interest related with the chapter content.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ QuestionText

Business Opportunities Question Text recording a question of interest related with the chapter content.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ QuestionText

D&B Industry Code (Industry Report) An alphanumeric value identifying a business activity based on the scheme specified by the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code. The first four digits are external codes created by the U.S. Government. D&B has created extensions to more precisely define an activity as in the case of the SIC 2+2 (the last 4 digits of an 8-digit SIC).

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryCode/ IndustryCode

D&B Industry Code Description (Industry Report) Text that describes the business activity based on the scheme specified by the attribute type, e.g., 'highway and street construction' is the description of industry code 1611 in the U.S. SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) system.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryCode/ IndustryCodeDescription

Executive Talking Points Chapter Name Text recording key executive talking points regarding the industry.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterName

Executive Talking Points Contact Job Description Text that denotes a position held by the principal or manager to whom the question is directed.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ ContactJobTitleDescription

Executive Talking Points Question (Call Prep) Text recording a question of interest related with the chapter content.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ QuestionText

Executive Talking Points Title (Focus Issue) Executive Insight consists of specific talking points relevant to the CEO, CFO, CIO, HR professionals and Sales and Marketing Executives. It provides tips for creating conversations around a solution to a problem instead of a product. Executive Insight offers an industry-wide focus and is not specific to a single company.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ TitleText

Fast Facts Chapter Name Text recording facts about the industry.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterName

Fast Facts Title (Fact) Fast Facts highlight key facts and figures for an industry in areas such as revenue, customers, top companies, services, and products. It provides insight into the industry's current state.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ TitleText

Industry Profile Chapter Name Name of the First Research industry profile chapter.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterName

Industry Profile Details First Research industry chapter paragraph text

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ ContentText

Industry Profile Image URL Text that records the location of images referenced by this Web-based content.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ ImageURL

Industry Profile Key Fact

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ KeyFactText

Industry Profile Paragraph Title First Research industry chapter paragraph title text

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ TitleText

Industry Profile Related Industry Code Associated Industry Codes are corresponding codes from government classification systems and can be used to search for businesses in this industry.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ RelatedIndustryCode/ IndustryCode

Industry Profile Related Industry Description

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ RelatedIndustryCode/ IndustryCodeDescription

Industry Profile Site URL Text that records the location of this Web-based content.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ WebPageURL

Industry Profile Subchapter Details Subchapter text of First Research Industry profile.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ SubChapterDetail/ SubChapterContentDetail/ ContentText

Industry Profile Subchapter Image URL Text that records the location of images referenced by this Web-based content.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ SubChapterDetail/ SubChapterContentDetail/ ImageURL

Industry Profile Subchapter Key Fact (Bullet)

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ SubChapterDetail/ SubChapterContentDetail/ KeyFactText

Industry Profile Subchapter Site URL Text that records the location of this Web-based content.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ SubChapterDetail/ SubChapterContentDetail/ WebPageURL

Industry Profile Subchapter Title Title of subchapter of First Research Industry subchapter.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ SubChapterDetail/ SubChapterContentDetail/ TitleText

Key Business Challenges Chapter Name Text recording the key business challenges of the industry.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterName

Key Business Challenges Details Business Challenges are descriptions of an industry's pain points. Business Challenges can be used to tailor products and services to a prospect or customer's needs. Updated quarterly.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ ContentText

Key Business Challenges Title Title of a Key Business Challenge. May repeat multiple times.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ TitleText

Key Business Opportunities Chapter Name Text recording the key business opportunities of the industry.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterName

Key Business Opportunities Details Text description of a First Research Key Business opportunity.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ ContentText

Key Business Opportunities Title Title of a Key Business Opportunity. May repeat multiple times.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryProfileChapterDetail/ ChapterContentDetail/ TitleText

NAIC Industry Code Description (Industry Report) Text that describes the business activity based on the NAICS Industry Code.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryCode/ IndustryCodeDescription

NAICS Code (Industry Report) An alphanumeric value identifying a business activity based on the NAICS Industry Code.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryCode/ IndustryCode

UK SIC Code (Industry Report) An alphanumeric value identifying a business activity based on the UK SIC Industry Code.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryCode/ IndustryCode

UK SIC Code Description (Industry Report) Text that describes the business activity based on the UK SIC Industry Code.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryCode/ IndustryCodeDescription

US SIC Code (Industry Report) An alphanumeric value identifying a business activity based on the US SIC Industry Code.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryCode/ IndustryCode

US SIC Code Description (Industry Report) Text that describes the business activity based on the US SIC Industry Code.

PCM XPath: //IndustryProfile/ IndustryProfileDetail/ IndustryCode/ IndustryCodeDescription

The preceding list is not presented in the order, nor manner, in which the information is packaged and delivered via the D&B Direct API. Legend: [C] = may be included in a Custom Data product; [M] = may be referenced by the Monitoring process; [M+] = Monitored using an aggregate or attribute XPath.

Product Notes

Industry profiles are updated quarterly and comprehensively reviewed once a year. News articles and most statistical data are updated monthly. All industry forecast numbers come from the INFORUM modeling data base, which is built on historic data derived from official government figures.

The chapter information available will only be returned if a value for the chapter name is specified in the request.