Benefits of eip workflow vs Expression Media

Having bought a Phase P45+/645DF set-up last year, I started using an eip workflow as it enabled easy transfer of images from laptop (MBPro) to desktop (Mac Pro).

I am now about to start using Expression Media to catalogue, keyword and help manage my images. So now I discover that Expression Media doesn't read eip files. So before unpacking all the eip files and starting with IIQ files (which it does read) I am wondering what penalties I pay for making this change.

Files with be RAW where possible, but for Exposure and Focus blends there will be TIFF files too. I will also have to make TIFF files for submission to Photolibraries.

If I don't make the switch to IIQ then I cannot currently catalogue my files with either Lightroom or my preferred Expression Media. So it seems that I can catalogue derivative TIFFS, the original RAW files currently can't be handled. Obviously I'm hoping that Phase will be doing some development work on EM in order to encompass an eip workflow. Until then, and I can't afford to wait, then it seems there is little choice.

Can I have eip on Laptop and then unpack on loading to main library on desktop?
What have others done please?

Many thanks

Baxter