Described are techniques for performing data storage optimizations. A data storage optimizer on a first data storage system connected to a set of other data storage systems receives performance classification information. The first data storage system includes a first set of storage devices of a first performance classification. The set of other data storage systems includes a second set of storage devices of a second performance classification different from the first performance classification. A write operation is received from the host to write first data to a target address of a virtually provisioned device. It is determined that physical storage is not currently allocated for the target address of the virtually provisioned device. A first portion of physical storage is allocated for storing the first data. The first portion of physical storage is included in a storage device of the second set having the second performance classification.