1. In an environment including at least one server storing a raw data set, a method for storing and archiving point-in-time sets of the raw data set, the method comprising: providing a virtualization layer on a computing resources pool; operating a virtualized storage application on the virtualization layer, the virtualization layer shielding the virtualized storage application from actual hardware in the computing resources pool; and generating storage efficient versions of a raw data set that is stored on one or more servers, wherein the storage efficient versions include point-in-time versions of the raw data set that are smaller in size than the raw data set.