What is a DUNS number, and why do I need one for SUPPLIERASSURANCE?

A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, provided by Dun & Bradstreet. It's used globally to identify companies. SUPPLIERASSURANCE requires it as the primary identifier during registration and for completing the SAQ 5.0 to ensure your customers can correctly identify your business.

Background

Using the DUNS number helps standardise supplier identification on the platform. There is no charge for an organisation to obtain a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet. If you need to complete an SAQ 5.0 urgently and don't have your DUNS number yet, we can provide you with a temporary number.

Steps

To find or request a DUNS number:

1. Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website. A general starting point is the D&B D-U-N-S Number Lookup/Request page (search online for "Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S Number request").
2. Specific regional links may also be helpful:
3. Germany: dnb.com/de-de/upik/
4. USA: dnb.com/duns-number/lookup.html
5. China: dnbchina.com/
6. Latin America: cialdnb.com/d-u-n-s-number/
7. UK: dnb.co.uk/duns-number/lookup.html
8. Other countries: dnb.co.uk/choose-your-country.html

How do I raise a support ticket?

Use the 'Ticket' function on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform to raise a ticket for our Support Team to action.

Background

The SUPPLIERASSURANCE Support Team aims to respond to all tickets within two working days. Typically however, you can expect a response within 24 hours.

Steps

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. Select your initials in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select 'Tickets'.
4. Choose 'Raise a new ticket' option from the right side of the page.
5. Select the most appropriate topic from the drop down menu.
6. If none of the topics fit, select 'Other topic' and choose 'None of these questions help - Raise a new ticket'.
7. Enter as much information about your query to allow our Support Team to assist you with your support query.
8. Click 'Send'.
9. The Support Team will review your ticket and respond to you within two working days although typically within 24 hours.

How can I improve my SAQ 5.0 rating?

Improve your SAQ 5.0 Rating by addressing validation feedback (like evidence or declaration gaps) and by addressing any minimum requirements that one or more of your customers may have set. Ensure that you answer all mandatory questions positively with the correct supporting evidence. Be careful to ensure you fully review and select only those policy areas that are explicitly covered within your policy documents.

Background

You can iteratively improve your SAQ 5.0 Rating. The validation process provides specific feedback. Addressing an evidence gap (where evidence was insufficient) or a declaration gap (where you missed selecting an answer that your evidence covered) can positively impact your SAQ 5.0 Rating.
Focusing on the mandatory questions is important as these directly contribute to your SAQ 5.0 Rating. Optional questions provide additional insights for your customers but do not directly influence the SAQ 5.0 Rating.

Steps

To view your questionnaire results and any gaps that may have been identified during the validation process:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. On your 'Dashboard' find the completed questionnaire that you want to view the results for (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the questionnaire tile to go to the questionnaire overview page.
4. Select the 'Answers' tab.
5. If any gaps have been identified during the validation process, they will be listed at the top of the 'Answers' tab. You can click on an individual gap to find out more about the gap.
6. A gap can either mean that the evidence you uploaded was not acceptable (an evidence gap) or it can mean that you could have missed an opportunity to declare a policy topic area that was found in your evidence but you did not select the answer option (a declaration gap). In either scenario, you should update your questionnaire response to address the gaps found.
7. To update your questionnaire response, choose the 'Update' icon on the top right of the page on the questionnaire tile.
8. Navigate to the questions identified in the feedback. Upload improved evidence for evidence gaps or select the correct policy options for declaration gaps.

Can I change the DUNS number for my SAQ 5.0?

You cannot change the DUNS number within an SAQ 5.0 questionnaire once it has already been completed. This is because it may have already been shared with one or more customers. You can only change a DUNS number during the first revision of your questionnaire response. The DUNS number must be a valid DUNS number and not already in use on your account or on the platform. If you need to complete a questionnaire for a different DUNS number, you should start a new questionnaire.

Background

A valid DUNS number is needed for you complete the SAQ 5.0. The DUNS number helps your customers to correctly identify your business.

Steps

If you are completing the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire for the first time:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. Find the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire that you are in the process of completing (for the first time) on your dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. select the 'Respond' icon on the right side of the questionnaire tile.
4. Move through the questionnaire to the Profile section to question 0a.
5. Enter the new DUNS number at question 0a.
6. If you see an error, when you enter the DUNS number, it means that either the DUNS number is already in use on another SAQ 5.0 questionnaire on your account or in use on another organisation account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform.
7. If the DUNS error includes a link, select the link to be directed into the existing questionnaire on your account. Otherwise, use our chat service for support with the DUNS number.
8. Once you have entered a valid DUNS number at question 0a, progress through the questionnaire using 'Next question'.
9. Submit your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response for validation.

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. If you have received a request from a customer with an invitation code, choose the 'Enter invitation code' option from the top right of your Dashboard.
3. Choose the option to 'Enter invitation code'.
4. Enter the invitation code that is in the email request from your customer.
5. Select 'Share' to complete the action.
6. Complete the questionnaire and submit for validation.
7. If you do not have a request from a customer, choose 'Start a new SAQ 5.0' from the other options menu on the top right of your Dashboard.
9. Progress through the questionnaire and enter the new DUNS number at question 0a.
10. You may be asked to make payment before you can submit the SAQ 5.0 response for validation and receive an SAQ Rating for this new DUNS number.

I am getting a DUNS number error, what should I do?

A DUNS Number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses and one number can only exist once on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform. If you see an error on the DUNS number field in the SAQ 5.0 it means that the DUNS number is already in use on your account or on another account on the platform. Follow the guidance offered.

Background

A valid DUNS number is needed for you complete the SAQ 5.0. The DUNS number helps your customers to correctly identify your business.

Steps

If you see an error, when you enter the DUNS number, it means that either the DUNS number is already in use on another SAQ 5.0 questionnaire on your account or in use on another organisation account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform. If the DUNS error includes a link, select the link to be directed into the existing questionnaire on your account. Otherwise, use our chat service for support with the DUNS number. Once you have entered a valid DUNS number at question 0a, progress through the questionnaire using 'Next question'. Submit your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response for validation.