In one example, a processing system may identify a type of data contained in a first dataset that is to be stored in a storage array, wherein the storage array comprises a plurality of storage zones, and wherein the plurality of storage zones includes at least two different types of storage technologies. The processing system may generate a metadata file for the first dataset that contains self-describing information for the first dataset, wherein the metadata file is generated based on the type of the data, and wherein the self-describing information defines a manner, a time, and a location for storing the first dataset. The processing system may send the first dataset to a first storage zone of the plurality of storage zones, wherein the self-describing information includes an instruction to send the first dataset to the first storage zone for at least a defined period of time.