Embodiments relate to a system, program product, and method for optimizing the throughput of an archival application through storage volume and file selection and assignment of a finite number of storage controller data movement threads associated with a plurality of storage controllers. Data directed to be transferred from one or more storage controllers to non-cloud-based storage is transferred through standard I/O features. Data directed to be transferred from the storage controllers to cloud object storage devices is managed through an archival application that manages the finite number of storage controller data movement threads to provide efficient and effective transfer of the data.