Forkliftservice, first please allow me to offer my apologies if you felt I was saying you are "trying to steal business", the point I had intended/hoped to make was that the argument needs to be based in fact, clear to understand, and not something that can be rejected out of hand, by those whose ears we hope to hear it.
It will be rejected unless it is concise, to the point, and does not sound to 'the powers that be' [tptb] like a "gimme".

Let me also point out that not only do I "feel your pain", I agree with your points. I would add that the pain is usually magnified by the failure of the "Expert service tech" to have the proper cables and software when they first show up, and so what should be a fifteen minute "clear the code and run learn" winds up being at least 2 trips for which i get charged.

This is not a new problem and something that (seems to me) has been growing worse over time, but I don't think the govco* will or could be the cure-all for it. I know I have gone toe to toe and nose to nose with the service manglers of both my employer and my local competition over how to correctly deal with this.
I remember that even Schwinn bicycles used to have a nut on the wheels that was a special size and using a 1/2 of 13 mm wrench would wring off the head.
I also remember the hours upon hours spent troubleshooting and adjusting on ev1 (and earlier systems) that were made unnecessary by having a handset.

I think they pain we are expressing is less one of how many software and cables and/or handset we need these days, and more of "what do you mean you won't allow me to purchase tools to fix my customers (or my own) anchors". With out the ability to see or reset the passwords, they might as well be anchors for some good size boats.

* I am impressed that Rick_C has been able to get past his own "less govco is better _always_" political view.