Periodic archiving of transaction data from a production CRM system is critical for:

Archiving transaction data in a production CRM system is primarily aimed at optimizing database performance by reducing the volume of active data, which enhances query response times and system efficiency. According to the DAMA-DMBOK, archiving is a key activity in data lifecycle management that supports data storage and operations. The DMBOK states: “Archiving involves moving data that is no longer actively used to a separate storage device for long-term retention. Archiving helps maintain database performance by reducing the size of active datasets, which can improve query performance and reduce resource consumption” (DMBOK2, Chapter 10: Data Storage and Operations, p. 387).

This process ensures that the database remains efficient for transactional processing, as large volumes of historical data can slow down operations if not archived. Options A, B, D, and E, while potentially related to data management, do not directly address the primary purpose of archiving in this context. For instance, managing deleted customer records (B) relates more to data retention policies, and providing alternate sources for reporting (E) is a secondary benefit rather than the primary goal.