Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Financial Instruments
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	$ 5.3	[1]	$ 5.4	[1]
Investments in auction rate securities	13.0	[2]	13.0	[2]
Total carrying amounts of financial assets	18.3		18.4
Cash and cash equivalents	24.6	[3]	32.6	[3]	38.7	43.5
Insurance deposits	16.0	[4]	28.5	[4]
Other select financial assets	40.6		61.1
Other select financial assets fair value disclosure	40.6		61.1
Total other assets	58.9		79.5
Total fair value of financial assets	58.9		79.5
Interest rate swaps	0	[5]	0.2	[5]
Contingent consideration liability	1.6	[6]	1.6	[6]
Total carrying amounts of other financial liabilities	1.6		1.8
Line of credit	311.7	[7]	314.9	[7]
Total carrying amounts of financial liabilities	313.3		316.7
Total fair value of financial liabilities	313.3		316.7
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents	24.6	[3]	32.6	[3]
Insurance deposits	16.0	[4]	28.5	[4]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Financial Instruments
Line of credit	311.7	[7]	314.9	[7]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Financial Instruments
Total fair value of financial assets	18.3		18.4
Total fair value of other financial liabilities	1.6		1.8
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Financial Instruments
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	5.3	[1]	5.4	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Financial Instruments
Interest rate swaps	0	[5]	0.2	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Financial Instruments
Investments in auction rate securities	13.0	[2]	13.0	[2]
Contingent consideration liability	$ 1.6	[6]	$ 1.6	[6]

[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 consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the assets held in the funded deferred compensation plan is based on quoted market prices.

[2] For investments in auction rate securities, the fair values were based on discounted cash flow valuation models, primarily utilizing unobservable inputs. See Note 6, “Auction Rate Securities,” for the roll-forward of assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable Level 3 inputs and the sensitivity analysis of significant inputs.

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

[4] Represents restricted insurance deposits that are used to collateralize our insurance obligations and are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value. These insurance deposits relate primarily to the OneSource Services Inc. acquisition. See Note 7, “Insurance,” for further information.

[5] designated as cash flow hedges. The fair values of the interest rate swaps are 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 LIBOR forward rates at the end of the period. The fair value of the interest rate swap liabilities was included in “Retirement plans and other” on the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. See Note 8, “Line of Credit,” for further information.

[6] Our contingent consideration liability was incurred in connection with the BEST Acquisition. The contingent consideration liability is measured at fair value and is included in “Retirement plans and other” on the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The fair value is based on a pre-defined forecasted adjusted income from operations for BEST using a probability weighted income approach and discounted using a proxy for our fixed borrowing rate. See Note 4, “Acquisitions,” for further information.

[7] Represents outstanding borrowings under our syndicated line of credit. Due to variable interest rates, the carrying value of outstanding borrowings under our line of credit approximates the fair value. See Note 8, “Line of Credit,” for further information.