Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes storing instances of a file in a first storage tier and a second storage tier of a storage system; associating each instance of the file on the first and second storage tier with a unique program identifier (UPI); receiving a request to access the file or instance thereof from a user in a group of users; searching for a UPI associated with an instance of the file that exists on the first storage tier; and providing the user requesting access to the file with remote access to the instance of the file on the first storage tier. Additional methods are also presented.

Abstract: A storage system according to one embodiment for managing a first file includes a blob storage and a handler. The blob storage may be configured to store data related to the first file temporarily. The handler may be configured to store in the blob storage any data related to the first file and received from an application. The handler also may be configured to transfer at least a portion of the data from the blob storage to persistent storage in response to a commit instruction received from an application or generated by the handler. The handler also may be configured to retrieve any portion of the data stored in the blob storage and to send the same to a requesting application in response to an access request.