Continuing operations and reported as discontinued operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Major line items constituting pretax income from discontinued operations:
Pretax income from discontinued operations	$ 221	$ 168
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(41)	72
Comnet Telecom [Member]
Major line items constituting pretax income from discontinued operations:
Net sales	8,343	7,981
Cost of sales	(6,199)	(6,246)
Gross profit	2,144	1,735
Selling, general and administrative expense	(1,569)	(1,567)
Pretax income from discontinued operations	575	168
Pretax loss on sale of Comnet	(796)	0
Total pretax income (loss) from discontinued operations	(221)	168
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(41)	72
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (180)	$ 96