For example, the humans of Porta Nile have created a form of magic that uses pieces of alien technology they find.
Their magic is very good at transmitting information, divining information, weather manipulation, communication, psionics, and force fields.
It is not so good at healing, protection from fire/acid/cold, large damage spells, and necromancy.
The system allows me to easily take the spells and adjust their spell level up or down based on the strengths and weaknesses of the magic system. A Detect Thoughts spell would be a first level spell for the humans of Porta Nile, a second level spell for many others, but a third level spell for the Salt Mages of Galeon.