I have to object( in only gentle terms ) of your statement "MATLAB is easier to work with in coding, because it can deal with matrices easier.". Are you aware that JMP has full matrix manipulation capabilities? I will point you too the Scripting Guide's section on Matrices starting on Page 194, and covering roughly 50 pages.
I am very interested in getting your evaluation, if you still find Matlab easier to do matrix manipulations after looking at the JMP documentation. This is a true request. If you find JMP's matrix abilities less than favorable, I would like to be educated on what you find.
JMP Scripting Guide is found in the JMP Documentation Library under the Help pull done menu.
Jim