Using a module loader like webpack is essential for migrating to Angular 2, and should already be part of every modern programmer's tool set. Webpack will make it easy to manage all the different files that a modern, modular Angular 1.3+ project prescribes. This includes bundling the application for distribution or deployment.
Using webpack will also simplify a programmer's Angular 2 workflow, since the easiest way to work with Angular 2 is with TypeScript, or ES6, neither of which works natively in contemporary browsers.