PLCs have scads of uses. Scada uses, too!
I have used a plc for a doorbell in a manufacturing plant. Two doors at different locations in a plant office, both activating a single alarm, with indicator lights to show which one "rang", several reset buttons, and flashing sequences to show door status, alarm status, or time of day function status. Basically, you look bored, here's a SLC150, we need a doorbell, go have fun. By the way, the electrical contractor won't hook it up right anyway, but have fun.
I have seen wattmeters and plc's on coffee pots.
Plant soil moisture checker and automatic waterer, an on, and on, and on, and...
If you can think of something to do, you can probably come up with a way for a plc to do it, or assist in doing it.
regards.....casey