Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) is a system that efficiently manages data in storage tiers according to a defined policy. The HSM solution includes at least two storage media types, usually enterprise-grade hard disk drives and solid-state drivers for quick and frequent access.
To cut costs, HSM uses more affordable and slower media types such as tapes and optical disks for data archives. HSM is the most beneficial for enterprise environments where storage tiers can be organized depending on the workload type and data requirements.