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.
(..) Are you... Are you fighting rats or the entire German army? No. l wss repairing the stairs. l found a library and the books were very useful. Before you find too many uses for those books you might read some to me. l think they're all in ltalian but l'll look, yes. - What about your own book? (..)1996 The English Patient