The data could 'prove (to be) useful' [=people may eventually find that the data is helpful] in identifying future problems.
the 'useful life' of a satellite [=the amount of time during which a satellite is in good enough condition to be used]
Her pocketknife 'came in useful' [=(more commonly) 'came in handy'] when we needed to cut the tangled fishing line.
(..) into a convection oven, and clearly fusing the trunk shut in the process. This information will be very useful for my project. Ah. You can leave those right there, guys, thanks. What's with the animal parts? What, there's not enough blood (..)2016 TvShow: Bones Title: The Murder of the Meninist Season: 11 Episode 12