Segment Information - Revenue By Geographic Region (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total sales	$ 709,919	$ 709,322	$ 2,151,598	$ 1,985,861
Latin America including Brazil [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total sales	144,696	170,401	445,693	447,495
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total sales	99,439	101,493	291,788	281,504
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total sales	70,307	73,284	219,823	248,762
Diebold North America [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total sales	395,477	364,144	1,194,294	1,008,100
Diebold International [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total sales	$ 314,442	$ 345,178	$ 957,304	$ 977,761