This is partially wrong. Kies does not do a wipe of your apps. It does a update. After the update ICS will go through a process of optimizing apps.
With that being said though, doing a facotry wipe and then the upgrade isn't a bad idea. There have been a few occasions that I have found a app need to be reloaded after major upgrades for android. Like 2.3 to 4.0 or 4.0 to 4.1
RaiderWill is right though about the two step process to u pgrade to 4.1.2 though. Immediately after you upgrade to 4.0.4 you should upgrade to 4.1.2 to be most current.
well?
4.1.2 is available for Note 1 phone? to some countries... or to all most current upgrade is 4.0.4?
data needed restored from backup if upgrade with kies ?
about the latter what about upgrade on wifi?