When I worked in the data processing field 10-15 years ago I would hear
this expression.  It means to take a data-base of information and anlyze
it in several ways, for example, break down sales figures by region and
then by salesman and then by day of the week.  The goal was to better
understand the data and get more useful information our of it - I guess
like you massage a breast to get more milk out, although I'm sure that's
not the source of the phrase.
Marcia McCoy
in Minnesota where I really don't have time to be writing email right now
but can't help it

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