We Already Use Layer 7 Enriched Meta-Data and Don't Know It

It occurred to me the other day that many of us analyst types already use layer 7 enriched meta-data and likely don't realize it. In thinking about it, it dawned on me that DNS logs, proxy logs, IDS alerts, etc. are all a highly specialized versions of layer 7 enriched meta-data. Think of the power of a generalized layer 7 enriched meta-data -- the ability to exploit all the advantages of meta-data, while simultaneously providing much of the detail necessary for determining the true nature of network traffic of interest. Possibly the uber data source?