Preferred formats change over time. Even though the disc may be in perfect condition, the data may be in a format that can no longer be read. An analogy is the collection of 78 RPM records that my husband inherited from his grandmother. A more recent example occurred in the 1970s and early 1980s with VCRs. Like 78s and Betamax tapes, computer formats change.
Data have formats, written in a language that a computer can read.
When the preferred format changes, it can be difficult to convert the data. Unlike 78s and Betas, sometimes it is more than a matter of finding the right machine to play it on. The issue is compatibility. Software choices must be made with all due diligence and precaution. For the sake of the longevity of the data, it is better to use a database format that can be read over several different platforms.