With regard to how you store your data in a standardised format I would suggest you consider CSV files.
 

• Easy to manipulate with Perl:
   
  
  • Text::CSV_XS is fast and robust
     
    
  • Text::CSV::Merge allows you to merge files to fill in missing data or update with new data
     
    
  • Tie::Array::CSV enables you to access each file as an array of arrays, and use standard array functions on the data
     
    
  • DBIx::SQLEngine::Driver::CSV allows you to perform SQL queries.
  
   
  
• Easy to use with javascript - many javascript libraries can read and manipulate CSV files. For example, D3.js can pull in a CSV file and generate an HTML table, or create interactive charts with transitions and interaction - I think you will find that library very useful.
   
  
• Easy to import and export to/from spreadsheets.
   
  
• Easy to backup - you can store them on a thumb drive or optical media.
   
  
• Easy to 'debug' - when you encounter problems with your data you can open your file with a text editor and see exactly what data you have.
   
  
• Easy to share via email or in the cloud.