I disagree completely that its useless.
General:
I have used it countless times to summon the hand and push creatures off ledges and see them fall to their doom with fall damage and if at least knock them prone where my part is.
I have also used it on occasion when i was funneling and encounter through a door I placed the hand in the entrance so it something would be forced to use an action to kill it where my party was getting in position.
Remember Action Economy is King and one less attack on a party member that could have been a crit!
As an Arcane Trickster:
The Hand is invisible so unless a creature can see invis you can scout entire camps without them noticing. I would then place the invis hand right next to the highest mob archer/ranged and usually start off the battle with them falling to their doom.
The Hand can also be used to disarm traps at a distance, and open chests and doors.
Jaz
