Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012		Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	$ 5,038	[1]	$ 5,029	[1]
Investments in auction rate securities	17,832	[2]	17,780	[2]
Total carrying amounts of Financial Assets	22,870		22,809
Cash and cash equivalents	36,426	[3]	43,459	[3]	17,650	26,467
Total Financial Assets	59,296		66,268
Interest rate swap	175	[4]	214	[4]
Line of credit	423,000	[5]	215,000	[5]
Total Financial Liabilities	423,175		215,214
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Financial Assets	22,870		22,809
Total Fair Value of Other Financial Assets	59,296		66,268
Total Fair Value of Financial Liabilities	423,175		215,214
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	5,038	[1]	5,029	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	36,426	[3]	43,459	[3]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Investments in auction rate securities	17,832	[2]	17,780	[2]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate swap	175	[4]	214	[4]
Line of credit	$ 423,000	[5]	$ 215,000	[5]

[1] Represents investments held in a Rabbi Trust associated with our OneSource Deferred Compensation Plan, which we include in "Other assets" on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the assets held in the funded deferred compensation plan is based on quoted market prices.

[2] As of January 31, 2013, the Company held investments in auction rate securities from four different issuers having an original principal amount of $5.0 million each (aggregating to $20.0 million). For investments in auction rate securities that were not redeemed or had no market activity indicative of value, the fair value was based on discounted cash flow valuation models, primarily utilizing unobservable inputs. See Note 6, "Auction Rate Securities," for the roll-forwards of assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable Level 3 inputs and the sensitivity analysis of significant inputs. Subsequently, on February 8, 2013, one of the auction rate securities was redeemed by the issuer at its par value of $5.0 million. For that particular security, the fair value as of January 31, 2013 was determined to be the same as its par value.

[3] Cash and cash equivalents are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value.

[4] Includes derivatives designated as hedging instruments. The fair value of the interest rate swap is estimated based on the present value of the difference between expected cash flows calculated at the contracted interest rates and the expected cash flows at current market interest rates using observable benchmarks for London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") forward rates at the end of the period. The fair value is then compared to a valuation received from an independent third-party. See Note 8, "Line of Credit," for more information.

[5] Represents the Company's $650.0 million five-year syndicated line of credit. Due to variable interest rates, the carrying value of outstanding borrowings under the Company's line of credit approximates its fair value. See Note 8, "Line of Credit," for more information