Supposedly, using the audit mode in sysprep allows you to maintain fewer images, as you can customize a base image (during audit mode passes) for the various departments or user roles you might have in your company.
However I am having trouble imagining where this would be less hassle than maintaining all the images you might need, or maintaining a few base images and customizing post-deployment through group policy and the like.
Is there anyone using audit mode routinely as a part of corporate Windows deployment? Is it useful outside of SMS/SCCM, in a LTI-type deployment?