Yes. This is what I do, and my bf built my racks to accommodate them -- my studio can get down into the 60s, so we had to tailor-make something. I use older Herpstat 2s, the ones with multiple plug-ins and all Ultratherm squares or strips for consistency. The tubes do not rest directly on the mats. They hang above them, on the shelves themselves, on drawer rollers, or elevated on a sized flat of plywood that isn't nearly as good or nice to look at.
Each adult rack is only six levels, so each of the Herpstat's outlets is controlling three heaters. It did take time to fine tune, which I spent a few days/maybe about a week doing before I added the snakes, and continue to check that everything is working . . . which, of course, I'd be doing no matter what I was using as a heat source.
So, yeah. I wouldn't say that it's less work than using heat tape, just that it skips having to wire anything yourself. They still need to be regulated and avoid being sandwiched, but can be great if the rack is built with them in mind.
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