If Cisco Systems is correct, cloud computing traffic—particularly enterprise cloud traffic—is poised for incredible growth. In its Global Cloud Index, the company predicts that cloud traffic will increase from 1.2 ZB in 2012 to 5.3 ZB in 2017. And it forecasts that the vast majority of this traffic—more than 75 percent—will originate in data centers.
Ben Uretsky, co-founder and CEO of cloud hosting provider Digital Ocean, says this growth will make enterprise developers more important than ever. “Not only do they control the code and applications, they control the infrastructure underneath, which mandates the integration of software developers and information technology,” he said. “It won’t be long before future IT departments revolve around developers, increasing the already rapid rate of innovation in cloud technology.”