I think the slicing mats tend to get ignored in the rewards discussion. They reduced the amount of 6E cushion some, but increased the lower level slicing mats by a good amount. Actually I should say they added them, since I don't think they were in the rewards pre-GAC. Plus the new currency, which obviously didn't exist before.
I'm not sure why this isn't considered an improvement.
EDIT: I forgot they removed gear, which is the trade-off for the new currnecy. Still, I'd rather have the option to buy Kyro than to get 25 more shield generators.