Hi
It also used as a opc sever if you have gate way for some items like connecting to excel or a scada system.
It also saves you carry around different converters with you to go on to different Ab plcs. It also used to set up some cards like changing the ip address in a Ethernet card.
Why do you not like it, I know lots of people have had trouble with it but I must say I have had very little.
Donnchadh