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, wherein the second storage tier uses less expensive and/or slower-to-access storage media than the first storage tier. Each instance of the file on the first and second storage tier is associated with a unique program identifier (UPI). A request to access the file or instance thereof is received from a user in a group of users, and a UPI associated with an instance of the file that exists on the first storage tier is searched for. Remote access to the instance of the file on the first storage tier is provided to the user requesting access to the file. Additional embodiments are also presented.