Intangible Assets and Goodwill 3 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		$ 2,284,603
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		(148,465)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	2,136,138
Other	(20,688)
Goodwill, ending period	2,115,450	2,136,138
North America Mailing [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		355,874
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	355,874
Other	(4,164)
Goodwill, ending period	351,710
International Mailing [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		183,908
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	183,908
Other	(5,664)
Goodwill, ending period	178,244
Small And Medium Business Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		539,782
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	539,782
Other	(9,828)
Goodwill, ending period	529,954	539,782
Production Mail [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		131,866
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	131,866
Other	(3,773)
Goodwill, ending period	128,093
Software [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		671,218
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	671,218
Other	(5,398)
Goodwill, ending period	665,820
Management Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		488,399
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		(84,500)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	403,899
Other	(1,689)
Goodwill, ending period	402,210	403,899
Mail Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		259,105
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		(63,965)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	195,140
Other	0
Goodwill, ending period	195,140	195,140
Marketing Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		194,233
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	194,233
Other	0
Goodwill, ending period	194,233
Enterprise Business Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross		1,744,821
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		(148,465)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning period	1,596,356
Other	(10,860)
Goodwill, ending period	$ 1,585,496	$ 1,596,356

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

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+ Details

- Definition

Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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+ Details

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in the recorded value of goodwill for foreign currency translation adjustments and purchase accounting adjustments needed to revise the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

+ References

+ Details