Allegion Netherlands B.V. keeps people safe worldwide with data from Altares Dun & Bradstreet
Allegion is a leading international manufacturer specialised in security solutions for the commercial and institutional sectors. Using simple and advanced technology, Allegion develops and produces mechanical, electronic and mobile security solutions. The company also develops software and integrated security solutions to enable a safer connected world. For example, Allegion protects homes and organisations around the world against intruders, fire, and other threats. Altares Dun & Bradstreet has been a trusted data partner for the Dutch market for many years.
Allegion
2013
Active since 2013
11.000
Employees worldwide
130+
Sales in 130+ countries
In addition to Altares Dun & Bradstreet giving us access to a database with information on companies all over the world, they are also an active sparring partner for us. We know that we can rely on a team that is knowledgeable in their own systems and capable of guiding us in their use. Altares Dun & Bradstreet ensures that we can do our work.”
1. The Challenge
Post-merger data management
Allegion includes various brands with worldwide operations. Allegion Netherlands B.V. is collaborating with Altares Dun & Bradstreet to clearly map out the diversity of these markets. The company uses D&B Finance Analytics (formerly D&B Credit), which gives Allegion insight into the business data of more than 150 million organisations worldwide. This tool delivers clear credit reports which are then used to monitor the credit risk of companies. It also automates credit processes and credit decisions.
In 2020, Allegion merged its Germany, England, and France warehouses with the Netherlands facilities. This affected major brands such as AXA, Trelock and Kryptonite. These brands have since been relocated to the Netherlands and Allegion Netherlands B.V. now acts as a central hub for bicycle and home security billing and shipping. Centralising the warehouses of the individual brands also resulted in the consolidation of customer portfolios from the various countries. This led to a dramatic customer increase in the Netherlands, from about 400 to more than 5,000. As a result, Allegion Netherlands B.V. ended up with duplicate data on the one hand, and scant information on some customers on the other. Monica Welsing, Team Lead Credit Control Management at Allegion Netherlands B.V., concluded that constant monitoring of (potential) customers was required as a result. Allegion Netherlands B.V. soon turned to Altares Dun & Bradstreet for a solution.
2. The Solution
Company monitoring based on data purity
Managing the new data was a crucial step for Allegion Netherlands B.V. Customer monitoring was introduced with the support of Altares Dun & Bradstreet. The new customer portfolio was first cleaned up for that purpose. Using a rating system, Allegion Netherlands B.V. was able to filter duplicate and incorrect information out of the system and supplement the missing information with the data supplied by Altares Dun & Bradstreet. In no time, Allegion Netherlands B.V. had all current, important customer data at hand. This enabled the company to create clear profiles for both existing and potential customers, and receive notifications whenever the circumstances surrounding those customers changed.
Welsing: “We thought that the purity of the data was particularly important, that was the priority. Thanks to the rating system and advice provided by Altares Dun & Bradstreet, we were able to clean up our portfolio and have real-time information on new and existing customers. This created more certainty. While we welcome all types of customers, ultimately we need to practise financial responsibility, for both our customers and our company. In this respect, we are always open to consultation and alternative working methods to ensure we can meet our customer's wishes within responsible frameworks.”
2015
5
2023
3. The result
Improved efficiency and risk management
The data supplied by Altares Dun & Bradstreet provides the security solutions manufacturer with more efficiency and reliable insights. D&B Finance Analytics has helped maintain various customer portfolios for years and the use of monitoring goes one step further. In addition to real-time updates about (potential) customers, it provides Allegion Netherlands B.V. with relevant advice based on the current financial health of these companies.
“Thanks to D&B Finance Analytics and monitoring, we have cleaned up our portfolio and gained better insight into customer data”, says Welsing. “We supplemented all our outdated information at the time and we are still receiving notifications whenever changes occur. These may be major financial changes or address changes, but could also be the names of people newly empowered to sign contracts. It’s easy to download the portfolio and see at a glance if there are any changes. If anything is unclear, Altares Dun & Bradstreet is on standby, ready to provide a helping hand. I really appreciate that I can contact them whenever I have questions or comments.”
In addition to the fact that the data provides insight into the financial health of companies and data changes, the focus is also on the sustainability aspects of companies. “Altares Dun & Bradstreet integrates ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) aspects into the monitoring and assessment of companies. This is very valuable, because it is a challenge for us as a company to find out to what extent a company pursues a sustainable and socially responsible policy. Thanks to the data from Altares Dun & Bradstreet, this is now possible. It is reassuring to know that our customers are also committed to ESG goals, in line with our own ambitions.”
What other customers say
"In particular, we felt the purity of the data was very important; that was the priority."
'As a company with a global scope, it is important for us to have a stable solution available based on global, reliable data'
'Every new customer we want to check. It sleeps much better for everyone if you know that companies you are owed money from can actually pay it.'
"To make sure we are sourcing good, reliable dealers everywhere, we need the expertise of Altares Dun & Bradstreet.
'We can now act proactively when it comes to credit risk.'
"We had another business information provider, but in testing, we found that with their data, we were only covering 45 percent of our customers.
'Doing business based on current, complete and accurate data.'
'Only by automating can we make substantial gains.'
'Improved customer insight and optimal service'
'For Barco, it is important to support your strategy and your decisions with market data.'
'Altares Dun & Bradstreet's Marketing Insight solutions have provided ten times higher conversion from 'suspects' to 'prospects' in the Benelux'
'Altares Dun & Bradstreet understands the data and the business. Together we will take steps toward the sustainable future.'
