Are there any Dell people monitoring this site or what? I found my own solution via ITA but I would have thought this question would have been answered by now esp. since ITA will do most of what I'm asking.

Perhaps they didn't reply because they're embarrassed to admit they don't have an easier way to batch-update firmware other than using IT Assistant.  A bootable CD that scans and updates all applicable system firmwares is a much easier solution.  One vendor that provides such a utility is HP.  I wish Dell would release and maintain a similar utility.