Beforehand, border agents would only verify a student's status in a database, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, when the person was referred to a second officer for additional inspection or questioning.

BBC: US tightens student visa rules after Boston bombing

The plan also includes innovative tactics and cutting-edge tools, like geographic information-system maps that combine cartography and database technology to help locate children who have not been reached by vaccinators.

WSJ: Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg: Our Plan to Eradicate Polio

The Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) is an open, online database and tool on the biodiversity, geographic distribution and abundance of marine life.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

When an arrest is made, for example, a police officer enters the information and transmits it to the database, making the information available in the case file, which can be accessed and updated as the case continues through the system.

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