Abstract: A method and system that permits a user to select online one of a plurality of business services and to receive a report of that service for a target business. The method can be completely performed via a computer system associated with a database that contains business data concerning a multitude of businesses. Alternatively, the method may be performed in part by an application program running on the user's device. The user is presented with one or more menus to select a business service and to identify a target business. The method prepares a report concerning the target business based on the selected business service. The business services include, for example, prospecting, credit reports, collections help, business risk evaluations, alerts and benchmarking. The report is delivered to the user via the menus, email, postal service, courier or other.

Abstract: A system for providing a user with a higher risk score indicating the likelihood that a business under inquiry by the user is involved in questionable activity comprising a means for evaluating how closely the profile of the business under inquiry matches those of businesses already confirmed as higher risk wherein a neural network model is capable of capturing the way multiple variables (or factors or characteristics) inter-relate or recognizing patterns indicative of questionable activity;

Abstract: A method and system that collects data from resources connected to a network for addition to a database that contains data records for businesses. A database of URL records is built according to a data structure that includes data elements that are useful to determine if an entity described by the data elements qualifies as a business. The data elements of the two databases are used to form web mining strategies. A distributing processing system is used to mine huge numbers of web pages in parallel. The bandwidth and transmission times are shortened at the distributed device end by summarizing web page content in an index that is returned to a central processor in the form of a byte. The central processor analyzes the byte and earmarks for a complete content extraction only those web pages that have enough business content.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a transaction in electronic commerce, comprises the steps of identifying a first party to the transaction from a digital identifier, extracting a profile identifier of the first party from the digital identifier, and retrieving data from a database based on the profile identifier.

Abstract: In a system that accepts a given search entity from a user and utilizes a database to identify a possible matching entity from a large list of entries, a method is provided for evaluating the reliability of the matching entity. Preferably, the method is carried out with minimal human intervention. A user inputs a plurality of attributes to identify a given entity, the system identifies a possible matching entity, and assigns a numerical grade to reflect the match quality of each attribute. Thereafter, the method assigns a grade to each attribute score, assembles the grades into a key, uses the key to address a memory, and retrieves a confidence code or quality indicator from the memory. The confidence codes are based on empirical information and reflect the overall quality of the match for the particular entity.